Writing a post requires clarity, structure, and care—not just to get helpful responses, but also to avoid sharing too much personal or sensitive information. Below is a detailed description and step-by-step tutorial to help you create an effective and safe post.
Resolvists Tier - Everyone
The Agora do not replace professional legal counsel, but can help you understand basic concepts or what steps to take next depending on your situation.
It is important to:
- Be clear and concise: Readers can’t help you if they can’t understand your issue.
- Stay anonymous: don’t include names, addresses, case numbers, or other identifying info.
- Be specific, but general enough: include relevant facts, like the state/country, type of law (e.g., landlord/tenant, employment), and key dates or events.
- Be respectful and realistic: you will get more responses with respect.
Summary
This guide will cover:
- How to choose a descriptive title
- How to structure your post clearly
- How to format a post
- Do’s & Don’ts (Best practices)
1. Choose a descriptive title
Use a short, clear title that summarizes the issue.
| Do’s | Don’ts |
|---|---|
 Be Specific - Include key facts like the type of issue and jurisdiction (state/country). Example: “Landlord Entered Without Notice – California” |
 Don’t Use Generic or Vague Titles - Avoid titles that give no hint about your situation. Example: “Need Help ASAP” “Urgent legal issue” |
| Use Neutral, Factual Language - Stick to facts rather than emotions or accusations. Example: “Neighbor Cut Down My Tree Without Permission – Oregon” |
Don’t Be Overly Emotional or Dramatic - Avoid titles that are rant-like or all-caps. Example: “MY LANDLORD IS A CRIMINAL!!!” “This Can’t Be Legal, Right?!” |
| Keep It Short and Readable - Aim for 8–12 words. Make it scannable without being vague. Example: “Ticket for Expired Registration – First Offense – Texas” |
Don’t Try to Tell the Whole Story - The title should invite others to read more, not include everything. |
2. Structure your post
Here’s a simple structure you can follow:
- Jurisdiction - Start by stating your country and state/province, since laws vary widely. Example: “I’m located in Ontario, Canada.”
- Background Information - Briefly explain the context. Who is involved? What’s the situation? Example: “I’m a tenant in a rental unit and have lived here for 2 years under a written lease.”
- What happened ? - Describe the specific event or issue in order. Stick to facts. Example: “Last week, my landlord came into the apartment without giving notice. He said he was checking the smoke detector, but I wasn’t informed beforehand.”
- What you have done so far - Mention any actions you have taken. Example: “I told him it made me uncomfortable and asked him to give notice in the future. He said he didn’t need to.”
- Your question - End with a clear question about what you want to know. Example: “Is it legal for a landlord to enter without notice in Ontario? What are my options if it happens again?”
For more information how to structure posts with headings, you can follow the following guide:
Adding structure with headings.
3. Remove personal or sensitive information
Don’t include names, case numbers, addresses, phone numbers, emails, or photos.
4. Enhance the format of your post
While plain text is sufficient for most posts and replies, the Agora allows you to enhance the formatting of your posts by using markdown.
Some commonly used markdown features include:
| Formating | Markdown Code |
|---|---|
| Bold | **Bold** |
| Italic | *Italic* |
| Link | [Link](https://example.com) |
| spoiled text | [spoiler]spoiled text[/spoiler] |
FAQs
Q: Is forum advice legally binding?
A: No. Community advice is peer-to-peer, not professional legal counsel. Always consult a licensed attorney for serious or time-sensitive matters.
Q: Can I ask about a situation that hasn’t happened yet?
A: No. Hypothetical or “what if” scenarios are to be avoided as much as possible to focus on real, current legal issues.
Q: What if I don’t know what area of law my issue falls under?
A: That’s okay! Just describe the situation clearly in the “General” Category. Others can usually tell you which category it belongs to (e.g., civil, criminal, employment, etc.).
Q: Can I update my post later?
A: Yes, you can edit your post or add updates in a comment. If your situation changes, it is helpful to share that in a follow-up.