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+++ b/README.md
@@ -1,8 +1,13 @@
 novel-stats produces word count statistics for novels written in Markdown
 format, including total word count, per-chapter word counts, per-act word
-counts, and counts by chapter "status." It's fairly particular about the
-format of the novel, and doesn't currently include much in the way of error
-checking. Word counts may not be exact.
+counts, and counts by chapter "status." You might find this useful if you're
+already using tools like Git and Markdown processing as part of your writing
+workflow (or are looking to start) and want some basic statistics about your
+novel as you're writing it.
+
+novel-stats fairly particular about the format of the novel, and doesn't
+currently include much in the way of error checking. Word counts may not be
+exact.
 
 Example output:
 
@@ -80,7 +85,10 @@ Once upon a time ...
 
 Chapter "status" is an optional feature that lets you indicate certain
 chapters as "drafted", "dev edited", etc. and then get word count totals for
-each status. Example:
+each status. This is useful for tracking the progress of your novel
+chapter-by-chapter as you write or revise.
+
+Example:
 
 ```yaml
 ## 3
@@ -100,7 +108,10 @@ sense for your writing workflow.
 ### Acts
 
 Acts are an optional feature that let you indicate certain chapters as part of
-a particular act number, and then get word count totals for each act. Example:
+a particular act number, and then get word count totals for each act. This is
+useful for keeping an eye on how big your acts are in relation to one another.
+
+Example:
 
 ```yaml
 ## 8