> For what it's worth, I take that form of "tl;dr" as emphasis, not as a literal tl;dr.

This.

I've been inured to using it in that way as well. I see the criticism above as a valid one though.

I've always found that construct weird. I tend to use "tl;wr" (the "w" standing for "won't", instead of "didn't"), at the top.

Also known as "executive summary"...

Cngratulations, you've unlocked the Jr High essay achievement.

  * tell me what you're going to say
  * say it
  * tell them what you said