How to Write a Long Description

A common misconception about Categories that require Long Description content is that a Waymarker has to be an experienced writer to fill the space. The large blank Long Description field of the waymark submission page can be intimidating. Filling that space with a multiple-sentence statement that differs from the Short Description can be a daunting task, especially for locations that don't have a website or Wikipedia page readily available from which to copy and paste text. This article will help you gather information effortlessly, even with locations that seemingly have no information to gather, and write a Long Description that will please any Officer.

Your first step is to Google. It's important to look in the Google result index up to five pages. All too often interesting information is buried in articles or associated websites that are indexed on the second, third, or even fourth and fifth pages. Examine your results carefully and don't hesitate to follow a website to see if it yields any relevant information.

Consider the geographic area where your waymark is located. Use Google to find information about the local area and consider how you can apply this information to your waymark. Was this site present when the boundaries were established and the local government was formed? Use the information you gather to answer this and similiar questions.

If the location is a building, find the local municipal property appraiser and search for the property records. As technology progresses and becomes more fluent in local governments, these property records and tax rolls are becoming accessible on the internet. Finding a property can be as easy as entering a physical address. These property records can provide information about when a structure was built, who carried the deed since its construction, and years that improvements were made. Apply this information when describing the building's unique qualities and historical significance.

Remember what the area looked like from when you photographed and marked coordinates at the location. What kind of neighborhood was the waymark located? Was there a park nearby? Was there an industrial section nearby? Try to answer these questions with what you remember of the surrounding area from your personal visit. If other locations have been waymarked in the area, mention those places. Describe specific features of the location that wouldn't be easily visible in the photographs provided to the waymark. Make recommendations on what visitors should look for at the location to enhance their experiences.

If all else fails, email or call the responsible authority of the location for information. This will give you an opportunity to share Waymarking. While this tactic does require some social skill and professionalism, making personal contact for Waymarking can be invaluable for gaining information that isn't available elsewhere and can allow cooperation to provide the best waymark possible.

Use adjectives! By using descriptive words, life and interest is brought into the Long Description and the waymark becomes interesting to readers who wouldn't otherwise be interested to learn about such a location. Not only do adjectives work as filler to magically make a written piece longer, they serve the purpose of captivating the audience and inspiring visits to the location and views from the internet.

At last, ask visitors for information that they have learned about the location. This will let Waymarkers know that their visit logs are important to the waymark's improvement and many Waymarkers will assist in gathering information before, during, or after a visit to the location.

A problem that Waymarkers may experience is an inhibition to write based on Variables. Variables need to be understood as a separate function in the waymark submission process. While Variables can force Waymarkers to provide required content for submission, they should not restrict Waymarkers from providing content for a quality Long Description. Consider Variables as a quick reference for specific information and focus on the Long Description as a short article about the location that will attract visitors.

This process does not take an exhaustive amount of time and can provide interest and inspire curiosity for Waymarkers to visit. Following this researching process will also place a location on the internet when it previously was not available on the internet, allowing others to find the site through Google searches and access unique and interesting information. Obviously, a location's first internet presence being in Waymarking can only bring more positive exposure and players to the game. By playing Waymarking, you are creating a footprint for interesting locations throughout the world and this process will help you do that. Good luck!