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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/42641
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

We all do it. We do it quite often. Some of us too often, to the chagrin of the mods who have to clean up after us. Many people out there have autocomments but I try not to. I find them impersonal and cookie-cutter and I like to interact with other users in my own voice.

For the purposes of this question it is safe to assume we are talking about comments that are being used for their intended purpose. So what are some of the best ways to convey what you need to in six hundred characters in the most effective way possible.

The main reasons I use comments:

- **Explaining a close vote.** This is the biggest one. They are especially important on those bubble questions that just need fixed slightly in order to be on-topic. My biggest goal here is to explain nicely why they need to fix their question.
- **Explaining downvotes** This is one of the harder ones. I think it's my personality but it's hard not to be snarky. My personal self-control aside, the biggest hurdle here is doing it without triggering an argument.
- **Requesting more information/clarification** Usually straightforward. What is X?, Why do Y?, How did you get Z? But open to hearing thoughts on the subject.
- **Suggesting an Improvement** This one can be tricky. You need to convince someone to agree with your suggestion in under six hundred characters.

**How can I go about improving the little messages I leave scattered across this network while being nice and getting other users to be receptive to what I am saying?**

Original score: 10