4 of 32

Write now Article Tools

Helium provides a number of writing guidelines. Most of them are pretty easy to spot when they've been violated, however there is one I've noticed that some writers seem to be able to slither around; "Do not use your article to disparage (or praise) another writer's article."

Does a snide commentary on another writer's article count as a valid opinion on a topic? Hardly. It does, however, fall into the "disparaging" category in my books. Targeting an author who has written something you disagree with or has posted an article to the other side of a debate is not only a bad idea, but is just plain petty.

Some writers of this calibre are skilled enough at manipulating words to make their articles sound logical, however a sharp reader will notice that the actual topic is only lightly brushed in passing while the writer focuses upon the surmised flaws and shortcomings of another contributor. This type of writer will ridicule the other person's point of view or even dismiss them as "having a problem" that makes them incapable of forming a legitimate line of reasoning.

I have been the target of this type of "author" on Helium where personal identifying things about me were ridiculed in her article. I find it difficult to take this type of "author" seriously, no matter how many articles they've posted or what deeply philosophical titles they've written to. Out of morbid curiosity, I perused some of this writer's articles. This "author" attacked other writers, belittled the topics she was writing to, and in one case, spent an entire article degrading the original poster of the title (and anyone else foolish enough to feel the subject was even worthy of attention) for their lack of enlightenment. After reading a few of these "free-thinking" articles (and seeing how well rated these nasty little tidbits were), I felt sick to my stomach and had to close my browser.

It's sad to see the chaos these people sow. How many new Helium writers have been crushed by the condescending attitudes of these insipid "authors"? It's difficult enough for someone to expose themselves by committing pen to paper (or words to screen, as the case may be) and even more difficult to actually post something personal on a site such as Helium. It is just plain mean-spirited for someone to sideswipe another writer or take something personal revealed in an article for use as artillery.

Most readers want solid information or well-stated opinion relevant to the topic itself. Character assassinations and topic slandering should be left for Gossip-Girl-wanna-be sites. Invalidating other writers sets off big red warning flags because it reveals an inability to perform the most essential task a writer has; confront the real issue and express his or her own opinion. Desparaging other writers or the article topic is a blatant waste of the reader's precious time and Helium's valuable resources. And, oh yeah; it's against the rules.

When your only response is to debase the other person (or people) involved, you've lost; the debate, the reader, and your credibility. Writer Beware: Before you post an article, make sure the focus of your masterpiece is the topic at hand, not another writer and their views.

Learn more about this author, Rosa Lee.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Helium don'ts: How not to write for Helium.com?
We want to hear your view. Write now!