Excerpts: Why can't I see the whole article?

Each individual writer makes the decision whether to display the article in its entirety or to post excerpts. Constant-Content requires that at least one third of the article is posted so that potential buyers can get a sense of the article's direction and style. Many writers will indicate that what you are seeing is an excerpt or sample while others don't. If you're reading an article and it appears to end with no real conclusion, it's most likely an excerpt.

The word count gives you a clue as to whether or not what you are viewing is the complete article or a sample. Complete samples are fairly obvious in that the display shows you an article with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

Why do some writers opt not to put the full article on display? Good question. Some may be concerned with driveby plagiarism (though Constant-Content does have measures in place to combat the threat). Others are simply following the submission instructions that say to post at least a third of the article. Others believe that potential customers should be able to see the whole article and choose to post the entire piece.

If you're viewing an excerpt and want to see the rest of the article before you buy, consider using the "Contact Author" feature to ask the writer to show you the rest of the article. Most writers will be more than happy to accommodate your request. You can access this feature by scrolling to the bottom of the sample and clicking on the writer's name. That takes you to the writer's profile page where you will find the "Contact this Author" button.