---
title: "Good Scaffold"
description: "Bonus credit for helpful technical structure: visuals, tables, code examples, navigation."
keywords: ["good scaffold", "scaffolding", "documentation"]
---

**Good Scaffold** rewards helpful technical structure. Where most Markdown metrics measure
problems, this one measures structural assets that aid review.

## Formula

```text
GoodScaffoldScore = clamp01(
    0.25 · VisualScaffoldScore
  + 0.20 · TableScaffoldScore
  + 0.20 · bounded_labelled_code_example_score
  + 0.15 · InformationScentScore
  + 0.10 · section_summary_score
  + 0.10 · successful_internal_navigation_score
)
```

## What each component captures

- [**Visual Scaffold**](/metrics/markdown/visual-scaffold) — well-labelled, bounded, locally explained
  diagrams and images.
- [**Table Scaffold**](/metrics/markdown/table-burden) — tables in the 6–60 cell sweet spot.
- **Bounded labelled code examples** — code fences with explicit language tags and bounded sizes.
- **Information Scent** ([Link Debt](/metrics/markdown/link-debt)) — descriptive link text.
- **Section summary** — sections that open with a short summary paragraph.
- **Internal navigation** — anchor links resolve and there's a usable navigation structure.

## How DMI uses it

Good Scaffold contributes **positively** to [DMI](/metrics/markdown/dmi) via the `+0.10 · G_norm` term.

It offsets maintainability penalties **modestly**. It never erases objective defects like broken links,
parse failures, or inclusive-language flags.

## References

- Mayer, R. E. (2009). *Multimedia Learning*, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press — multimedia
  principles behind well-labelled visuals and bounded examples.
- Carroll, J. M. (1990). *The Nurnberg Funnel: Designing Minimalist Instruction for Practical
  Computer Skill.* MIT Press — minimalist instruction principles supporting "bounded labelled
  code examples" and "section summary" credits.
  [MIT Press record](https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262031639/the-nurnberg-funnel/).

## See also

- [DMI](/metrics/markdown/dmi) — destination of the bonus credit.
- [Visual Scaffold](/metrics/markdown/visual-scaffold), [Table Burden](/metrics/markdown/table-burden) —
  largest contributors.
