As a matter of fact, after scannig those lines at useit.com, one gets the impression that it is the same as with books. Good readers (and people reading WP articles are -for my part- assumed to be good readers do not read word by word EVER. Even a book. It is absolutely hideous and the worst way to get information. Only in the interent people read faster because they do not look for verbose info (even less for style).
One idea per paragraph is a basic style concept. highlighting, sub-headings. lists, etc.. well that is pretty obvious if the reader looks for SPECIFIC DETAILS. Not necessarily so in an encyclopedia (which needs to give also circumstancial details).
etc...
In any case, good sectioning, structuring and heading are the keys for any text to be started to be read.
Pedro.