Today the blogosphere is awash in List Posts. Darren, from the Build a Better Blog is teaching us to do list posts. Fair enough.
Top Three Reasons Why List Posts Will Not Help My Writing:
- Lists are a tool, not a product
One can make lists of supporting and critical evidence. Lists can be used to help frame a discussion. Lists neither make the argument nor facilitate discussions. Lists are, in my opinion, part one of a post.
- Lists Oversimplify Issues
Lists are organizational tools to help define salient points. They are used to divide complex issues into east-to-understand snippets. One can make a list of topics to include in a particular project–and there by help expand one’s message–but a list cannot convey the necessary nuance to make a cogent argument. Modern living is a complex thing. I recognize the need to simplify these issues, but ideas, thoughts and feelings need to be synthesized into something more than just a list.
- Lists encourage lazy responses
Give me a list of things I am supposed to do, I’ll give you a list of reasons why I agree, why I shouldn’t do it or why I couldn’t complete the task at hand. I believe this is a rather common response. I recognize that people are busy, but I believe we should try and raise the bar for discourse.
- Lists are Business Speak
This is an idea I’m stealing from Lauren. Lists are simple and easy ways for business folk to market ideas (and their authors) with a minimum of effort.
I understand the “List Post” is a fast and clean way to get information across. I recognize that they are an important tool for communication. I do not really see how this is the best idea for a better blog assignment. Am I missing the point here?
They’re a great blog assignment because not everyone has a clue when it comes to formatting a blog post in a way that’s readable.
They become massive braindumps of poorly organized information and I skim over them and don’t read them in my RSS feeds (or just don’t subscribe in the first place). I don’t think that lists are the end-all, be-all of great blogging, and in fact, I quite hate the “(blank) ways to (blank)” title scheme, no matter how successful it is. It’s a cheat/cop out for having a real title that explains what you’re talking about without using an overused, beaten down formula.
That said, there is a place for lists in certain types of posts, and most bloggers are TERRIBLE at formatting when they start, so doing a list post is a good way to start teaching towards readability.
It just doesn’t really apply to every single blog or blogger 🙂
I’m new to the world of blogging, but I can see how lists can kind of make a blog feel cold and empty. But I have found it interesting trying to produce quality original content on a daily basis, maybe lists should be left on for brain storms and some discussion generators for those who are too busy to read. I don’t know. Anyway, later.