It really depends. I review a lot of products (vibrators) that have a good ext. template. But others...like DVDs have one I don't like. Lingerie & condoms I made my own etc.
Standard or Extended?
07/20/2010
I use the extended template so that I remember to include everything. But I prefer the standard template and I like to read reviews that use the standard template because it feels more personal, more like a story is being told than just facts.
07/20/2010
Quote:
I wish that you could write extended reviews for all reviews, and yet it is not always an option.
Originally posted by
Annemarie
When writing your reviews, which do you tend to prefer, if both Standard and Extended are available?
08/28/2010
I picked extended, always since I'm still new to writing reviews and I'm sure to just run through it quickly and forget a ton of stuff if I don't have the extended review
08/29/2010
it really depends on the product! Some things just don't need that much explaining/description !
08/29/2010
So far, I've only used the extended - it's a great tool to help organize reviews. I suspect that there will be times were standard version is better but the extended template seems to be best for most reviews.
08/30/2010
I like the extended review, because it makes sure I cover all the key points and it has it seperated into sections. For example if someone wants to read only about the functions and controls, they can easily find it instead of trying to find it in the standard format.
08/30/2010
I voted "extended, always" but I actually have a few standard reviews. But those were because some products don't have extended templates. :-(
09/08/2010
Extended gives me a frame to stay within because I could start with point A and finish with U.
09/08/2010
I like the extended one it helps keep me on track.
09/13/2010
Stylistically the standard offers more possibilities for the writing, but I've been leaning towards the extended because it organizes it for the reader, even if it seems more clunky and repetitious. Thinking about it I thought that many readers are probably skimming through the text, and the extended helps them more.
You can also write more in an extended before it starts complaining about it.
You can also write more in an extended before it starts complaining about it.
09/14/2010
Quote:
Odd. I tend to skim more when I read reviews in the extended format. They're SO long and usually so much more dry than standard format reviews. My head goes "yada yada, move along, tell me something good."
Originally posted by
ScottA
Stylistically the standard offers more possibilities for the writing, but I've been leaning towards the extended because it organizes it for the reader, even if it seems more clunky and repetitious. Thinking about it I thought that many readers
...
more
Stylistically the standard offers more possibilities for the writing, but I've been leaning towards the extended because it organizes it for the reader, even if it seems more clunky and repetitious. Thinking about it I thought that many readers are probably skimming through the text, and the extended helps them more.
You can also write more in an extended before it starts complaining about it. less
You can also write more in an extended before it starts complaining about it. less
Add in tags between sections and my eyes literally start to cross and glaze over well before I get to the end of the review.
09/14/2010
Quote:
Sometimes I just skip some of the tags in an Extended Review when writing them, because often they are repeating information. I'm never sure what other people think things like "travel friendly" might be. I don't travel much, nor do a travel well, so if you are someone who packs your entire house for a weekend, everything might be "travel friendly."
Originally posted by
Carrie Ann
Odd. I tend to skim more when I read reviews in the extended format. They're SO long and usually so much more dry than standard format reviews. My head goes "yada yada, move along, tell me something good."
Add in tags between ... more
Add in tags between ... more
Odd. I tend to skim more when I read reviews in the extended format. They're SO long and usually so much more dry than standard format reviews. My head goes "yada yada, move along, tell me something good."
Add in tags between sections and my eyes literally start to cross and glaze over well before I get to the end of the review. less
Add in tags between sections and my eyes literally start to cross and glaze over well before I get to the end of the review. less
I know I'd bring my Wahl and at least one full size vibrator if I were to be gone even overnight, but I don't know if that qualifies as "Travel Friendly."
09/14/2010
Having just started writing reviews, so far I think I prefer the standard format. For me, it's easier to just write without having to worry about what tidbit of information goes under what category for the extended format. Sometimes information is relevant to more than one section. For me it feels like the standard allows me to write a more cohesive story about the product I'm reviewing. However, I think there are definitely products that lend themselves better to the extended format. It helps to break sections down visually so that it's not so tedious to the reader.
I have to admit, when I read an extended format review, I often skip over sections because they just get so repetitive from review to review. But this is a good thing, because I can focus in on the sections I'm more interested in. Personally, I'm still playing around with both formats and will likely continue to use both.
I have to admit, when I read an extended format review, I often skip over sections because they just get so repetitive from review to review. But this is a good thing, because I can focus in on the sections I'm more interested in. Personally, I'm still playing around with both formats and will likely continue to use both.
09/14/2010
I guess I am like a lot of the others, as far as reading. The standard reads like the person is talking to me over coffee and doughnuts. The extended seem to be more like a commercial, sure you get all the info (hopefully) but I tend to skim over more stuff.
I would say that I like the standard more for writing. I have copied the extended format to word and keep the sections on top of the page to reference, it helps me to make sure I remember every thing. Toys that vibrate or have lots of functions I find the extended more user friendly.
I would say that I like the standard more for writing. I have copied the extended format to word and keep the sections on top of the page to reference, it helps me to make sure I remember every thing. Toys that vibrate or have lots of functions I find the extended more user friendly.
09/14/2010
I should add that when I use the standard format, I copy the section headings from the extended format to be sure I try and cover all information.
09/14/2010
Well I have only done extended up until this point, but after reading through this thread I think I will try out the Standard format for my next few reviews. I think a really good idea that was mentioned a couple times is to take the extended format, put it in word, and work off of it from there. I am going to try this; I think it will help me improve and polish my writing.
Since I plan on starting reviews on other things besides dils and vibes, it might be a bit of a challenge for me to do standard reviews on some things. However, that is what I want! Challenge! It only gets better from here
You know, I love this place! I love writing and sex/romance. Mix the two together and you get EF!
Since I plan on starting reviews on other things besides dils and vibes, it might be a bit of a challenge for me to do standard reviews on some things. However, that is what I want! Challenge! It only gets better from here
You know, I love this place! I love writing and sex/romance. Mix the two together and you get EF!
09/14/2010
I like the extended because it gives awesome questions and examples, so it helps write an awesome review. But occasionally I use the standard, it depends on what I'm reviewing.
09/14/2010
Quote:
Can you find the information you want better in standard or extended, I wonder. If standard then I might start writing in that more, since it's free form, but if not I might stick with extended.
Originally posted by
Carrie Ann
Odd. I tend to skim more when I read reviews in the extended format. They're SO long and usually so much more dry than standard format reviews. My head goes "yada yada, move along, tell me something good."
Add in tags between ... more
Add in tags between ... more
Odd. I tend to skim more when I read reviews in the extended format. They're SO long and usually so much more dry than standard format reviews. My head goes "yada yada, move along, tell me something good."
Add in tags between sections and my eyes literally start to cross and glaze over well before I get to the end of the review. less
Add in tags between sections and my eyes literally start to cross and glaze over well before I get to the end of the review. less
09/14/2010
I prefer extended because it helps me make sure that I have all the information that I should. It also makes it easier for people to read or to simply find a certain piece of information if they are looking for something specific. I have reviewed an older toy and the extended format was not available
09/14/2010
Quote:
I know exactly where to go to find what info I'm looking for in an Extended review. It's my preference.
Originally posted by
ScottA
Can you find the information you want better in standard or extended, I wonder. If standard then I might start writing in that more, since it's free form, but if not I might stick with extended.
09/14/2010
Quote:
For me - and this is just for me - when I'm actually interested in a toy I can find the info just fine in the standard because I tend to read the whole thing avidly. If I'm skimming it may be a bit harder but my honest opinion is that only us reviewers really skim most of the time. I think customers tend to read fully.
Originally posted by
ScottA
Can you find the information you want better in standard or extended, I wonder. If standard then I might start writing in that more, since it's free form, but if not I might stick with extended.
I also think the extended format is often harder to skim, since it's all broken up with tags and headings and tends to have a lot of repeat info. I think people write too much in the extended, making each section really long just to "bulk it up".
I also don't read reviews to find out material info, size, cleaning specs and whatnot. First of all, I already know most of that and secondly, I check that stuff first on the product page. It's just how I shop. So a shorter (not short, but not overly long) standard format review holds my attention with the details I want to know far better than the choppy format and broken up bits of info that are in the extended. With the extended, I have to skim each section and process what I want, discard the stuff I just don't care about.
At the same time, even standard reviews are getting, in my opinion, out of control with deets. We all put them in because the community expects it, because we get shitty votes if we don't which makes us feel bad about our hard work, but I don't really think a lot of that info truly creates a useful review. We're writing reviews, not product pages.
A lot of folks disagree with me and say they like all that info in one place but they're all reviewers. All the votes come from fellow reviewers. We hardly ever see customers voting anymore or leaving comments.
*shrug*
I dunno. I guess it's personal preference. I definitely get more useful (rather than extremely useful) votes when I use the standard template than when I use the extended. My personal preference is standard unless it's a Descriptive Review or the reviewer is new and needs the prompts. I think extended is a good learning tool but bulky and unappealing to my eyes.
I'm in the minority, though, Scott so you should totally do what feels best to you.
09/15/2010
Quote:
I 100% prefer the Extended forms for the reviews. It helps me organize my thoughts into coherent and defined sections so nobody gets confused. Additionally, I feel like I can actually write more when using the Extended form.
Originally posted by
Annemarie
When writing your reviews, which do you tend to prefer, if both Standard and Extended are available?
09/15/2010
I had to come back here to state that, since reading this thread, I decided to try the standard template and I love it a lot more! I do use the extended template to look at what I want to include, and to make sure I have everything I need for my review; but I absolutely love the standard format now. It is a lot better without all the extra stuff in between the paragraphs
09/28/2010
I just wrote a review for something (which EF hasn't posted yet) that did not have the extended template available. I really wanted to use it so I simply followed the same pattern.
09/28/2010
I use both, but I'm starting to like standard better because it's easier to edit in my opinion. Plus I can add a picture if I want in standard, whereas you can't in extended.
09/28/2010
Quote:
I prefer extended, but extended is not offered on everything I review, so I can do both
Originally posted by
Annemarie
When writing your reviews, which do you tend to prefer, if both Standard and Extended are available?
10/04/2010
Quote:
I prefer standard. I have tried to use extended a few times, but I find it a lot harder to write my review than I would with standard.
Originally posted by
Annemarie
When writing your reviews, which do you tend to prefer, if both Standard and Extended are available?
12/12/2010
I find the extended version overwhelming and go back to the standard one on the odd time I have tried it.
12/13/2010
Quote:
I'm the same. I get bored easily.
Originally posted by
Carrie Ann
Odd. I tend to skim more when I read reviews in the extended format. They're SO long and usually so much more dry than standard format reviews. My head goes "yada yada, move along, tell me something good."
Add in tags between ... more
Add in tags between ... more
Odd. I tend to skim more when I read reviews in the extended format. They're SO long and usually so much more dry than standard format reviews. My head goes "yada yada, move along, tell me something good."
Add in tags between sections and my eyes literally start to cross and glaze over well before I get to the end of the review. less
Add in tags between sections and my eyes literally start to cross and glaze over well before I get to the end of the review. less
And I'm not a fan of the tags under each section. Kinda looks messy.
But everyone has different taste.
I often find people repeat info in the extended version and I have always been worried about doing that myself so I avoid and go with the standard with my own headings.
12/13/2010