This translation has not been editorially reviewed yet. The German version is authoritative. Deutsche Fassung →
Writing the answer first: why AI systems cite the first paragraph
Anyone who wants an AI system to cite their page has to answer the question in the first paragraph. Answer systems pull a contiguous section — if the core statement only comes after the introduction, the introduction gets cited instead.
- The classic structure of "lead-in, example, insight" works in print, and fails here. Writing it the other way round — statement first, reasoning after — costs nothing, and improves readability at the same time for people who are skimming.
- The first paragraph should be able to stand on its own: no references back to the heading, no pointers to "see below". Whatever gets cited gets cited with no surrounding context.
- This page follows the rule itself — the paragraph above this line is the proof.
FAQ
How long should the answer in the first paragraph be?
Two to four sentences. Short enough to be quoted in full, long enough to actually answer the question instead of just announcing it.
Doesn't that contradict good writing style?
No, it matches news style: the most important thing first. The difference from narrative style is the order, not the care taken.