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==Length== | ==Length== | ||
The appropriate length of the lead section depends on the total [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Article size|length of the article]]. As a general guideline—but not absolute rule—the lead should usually be no longer than four paragraphs. The length of the lead should conform to readers' expectations of a short, but useful and complete, summary of the topic. A lead that is too short leaves the reader unsatisfied; a lead that is too long is intimidating, difficult to read, and may cause the reader to lose interest halfway. The following suggestions about lead length may be useful ("article length" refers to [[Wikipedia:WP:LENGTH|readable prose size]]): | |||
The appropriate length of the lead section depends on the total [[Wikipedia:Article size|length of the article]]. As a general guideline—but not absolute rule—the lead should usually be no longer than four paragraphs. The length of the lead should conform to readers' expectations of a short, but useful and complete, summary of the topic. A lead that is too short leaves the reader unsatisfied; a lead that is too long is intimidating, difficult to read, and may cause the reader to lose interest halfway. The following suggestions about lead length may be useful ("article length" refers to [[WP:LENGTH|readable prose size]]): | |||
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Lead sections that reflect or expand on sections in other articles are discussed at [[Wikipedia:Summary style|Summary style]]. Journalistic conventions for lead sections are discussed at [[News style]]. | Lead sections that reflect or expand on sections in other articles are discussed at [[Wikipedia:Wikipedia:Summary style|Wikipedia:Summary style]]. Journalistic conventions for lead sections are discussed at [[Wikipedia:News style]]. | ||
==Clutter== | ==Clutter== | ||