Hey there folks! If it isn't obvious to you yet, this is another article coming from me teaching you or reminding you some basic things that we should do in this platform.
Before we begin, since I have this word "basic" on my title, let's start from the very basic thing and that is to define what comment is. I asked google and thankfully, Oxford Languages have given me an answer. As to what it says, comment means a verbal or written remark to express our opinion or reaction.
On our case here, of course commenting only involves written opinion and reaction. This one is such a very basic thing so I won't define it any further. Now that we all know what it really means, let's focus on these points which I will tackle throughout this article.
Why comment?
When not to comment?
When to comment?
How to comment?
Why comment?
I have already written few articles highlighting the importance of comments for our growth and development in this community.
On my article Can we be friends?, in here, I have talked about how interactions are getting lesser and lesser each day. Some old users said that it became like that since the pointing system has been replaced by the bot. Why comment if you won't get anything right?
But comment is not all that. Giving comments is about building your network in here, it's about building camaraderie and finding your friends and family. It's about creating relationship so once again, let me revive this phrase I have said on that article. Why not from doing "read, tip, leave", let's go with "read, tip, comment and never leave". Conversation at the comment section is so fun. Who will agree with me on this one?
Another article I have published in relation to this is the Paying back for the value they have given us. In here, I have talked about how giving comments can be used as paying back for the value that we get on that specific article that we read. We learn through reading, we even get ideas about what to write through reading, so as a way of paying back, let us not deprived those users with appreciation that they deserve that we can express through commenting on their articles.
In short, we should comment because we want to build a relationship with one another within this platform. And at the same time, commenting can be our way of paying back and showing our appreciation for the knowledge that we gain through reading their articles.
When not to comment?
Commenting is nice and I highly encourage you to do that but there are also some instances wherein it is just better to not leave any comment at all.
Do not comment if...
You didn't read the whole article, from top to bottom and from beginning to end.
The title and the conclusion or the final thoughts of an article doesn't conclude the whole article. I see some users commenting such unrelated comments which I think that they have based on the title or the conclusion. I also have a first hand experience on this matter. I do appreciate the comment and I really love receiving comments but honestly, receiving such comments wherein it's obvious that they didn't read the whole thing is just so saddening, disappointing and offending at the same time.
You didn't understand the whole thing
@kli4d also have tackled this matter on his article How can you respect an author?: A reader and a writer standpoint on the part where he says "Make sure you absorbed the whole context of the article before giving any comment."
This is also in relation to not reading the whole thing. Because if you do that, there's a high chance that you can missed some points or facts that the author is trying to say so when you express your thoughts on the comment section, it appears to be unrelated.
You don't want to be known as someone who comments just for the sake of commenting, right? Always give comment that adds value to the one who wrote that article.
You don't have nothing good to say
This may appear rude but think about it, isn't it more inappropriate to comment something that is only meant for bad thing? Another term for this is destructive criticism. Criticisms are open in here but not the destructive ones. No, we don't and we must not tolerate it.
It is true that we are free to express our opinion and reaction through commenting but we can do those things on a nice way. If we don't have nothing good to say, if we think what we have to say is offending, let's just keep it to ourselves and don't say a word about it.
When to comment?
This is a part that I like the most! This is the fun part, where a lot of friendships can happen simple because of expressing your opinions and reactions.
Comment only if...
You can relate to the article
There's a lot of relatable articles out there. And if we truly read the whole thing, then we can relate to so many things and it is just so exciting to share all those things on the comment section while you're still reading that article.
One example of an article that we can relate the most is this never have I ever challenge right now that is dominating half of the read.cash community. There's a lot of versions where we can relate in there and if we can relate to that article, giving comment becomes so easy.
You comprehend to the whole thing
Well, this is just the opposite of that one thing I mentioned above. We should only comment if we truly understand everything. Like what I've said above, let's not assume based on the article's title or conclusion. Read and comprehend so that we can give a sensible comment. In that way, we are giving a comment not just for support, but we are also giving comments that adds value to that article.
You are giving constructive criticism
Not all of us here are professional writers so it is just common to notice some errors on our writings. As a responsible user, we should also take part of addressing those wrongs so that it can be better improved by the writer. And that's how exactly constructive criticism works. It's only aim should be helping others by correcting them in a nice and constructive way, not in a way that it can be really destructive.
How to comment?
There are also few users who are afraid to leave comment just because they are afraid and shy to approach others. But I'm telling you, this community is so friendly than you can ever imagine so feel free to express your thoughts on the comment section. Don't be shy, we do appreciate comments.
If you're having a hard time to compose your comment, @Eunoia made a guide on how you can comment on his article COMMENT-MEND: How to Comment In Other's Article?
But for my personal tips, I have these 3 things that you should practice in commenting.
Be casual. Yes, that's right. I don't mind you being "feeling close" on the comment section. It lightens the conversation. No need for such honorifics, it just makes me feel so old. Lol. Seriously though, just be casual as if you're sharing your opinion to a friend.
Be polite. I just said that you should be casual now I'm telling you to be polite. But this is right, be polite. We can be polite without honorifics. Just don't be rude and present your thoughts in a nice casual way. That's enough politeness for me.
Be respectful. This one is really a must. We should always practice respect on this platform. There's a lot of instances where we can have diverse views about certain matters but we should always respect the opinion of others about how they view things. I don't think I still need to elaborate this one. This is a lesson for Grade 1 so please, don't fail on this one.
Another thing, on giving constructive criticism, here's a method that I can suggest for you to follow.
Sandwich method. Like a sandwich, we should always start with positive kind words before we address the negative things, and lastly, end with praises and positivity. In that way, we were able to correct our co-users in a way that they won't get hurt.
There you have it folks, the basics for commenting. This is just a basic thing to do as a responsible user on this platform so may we all be reminded through this article about that proper thing to do about commenting.
So keep those comments going and let me know your feedbacks about this article of mine on the comment section below. Let's chat there!
And before I finally end this, I just want to thank you all for reading this far. And as always, take care! :)
Comments are just like feedbacks. It shows how the reader understand the articles. Malaking tulong yung topic mo about kung kailan magcocomment or not. As a newbie, medyo nahihiya-hiya pa, pero siguro habang tumatagal ay masasanay na din at mawawala na yung hiya hiya hahahahah😁 Beke nemen babesssss