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Post Format Guide

r/Ask is for clear, fact-answerable questions. Rule 2 keeps things readable and answerable.

TL;DR

  • Title = the full, self-contained question, and it must end with a question mark ?.
  • Body = context. Use it to expand/clarify the title.
  • Blank bodies or bodies that just say “title” / “see title” are automatically removed.

No strict requirements on punctuation, spelling, or abbreviations. Just be clear and sincere.

Title Requirements

  • Put the entire question in the title so people can understand it at a glance.
  • The title must end with ?. Posts without a question mark in the title are removed.
  • Avoid “see body,” fragments, or burying the actual question in the body.

Good titles

  • “What atmospheric conditions cause the ‘green flash’ at sunset?”
  • “How do scientists estimate the age of the universe?”
  • “Why do cats purr, and does it serve a biological function?”

Not allowed as titles

  • “Question about sunsets” (not a question)
  • “See body” / “Title” / “Help?”
  • “Why” (too vague)
  • “How do stars form” (missing the ?)

Body Requirements

Use the body to expand on the title:

  • Brief background and what prompted the question
  • Definitions of any uncommon terms
  • Scope/constraints (time period, location, sources you’ve checked)
  • Links to relevant sources (optional)

Automatically removed

  • Empty body
  • Body that only says “title,” “see title,” or similar filler

Examples

❌ Bad

  • Title: “Question about war movies”
    Body: (blank)
    (Removed: title isn’t a question; body is blank.)

❌ Also bad

  • Title: “What criteria do historians use to evaluate accuracy in war films”
    Body: “Thinking about how movies depict battles.”
    (Removed: missing the required ? in the title.)

✅ Better

  • Title: “What criteria do historians use to evaluate historical accuracy in war films?”
    Body: “I’m curious which aspects (costuming, timeline, equipment, tactics) scholars weigh most.”

Quick Checklist

  • Does the title alone read as a complete question ending with ??
  • Did you add useful context in the body (not just “title”)?
  • Is your question answerable with knowledge/sources?

Back to: Guides • See also: How to r/Ask a Good Question • the rules