A typology of blog posts
Saturday, October 6th, 2007This is the first course where I’m trying to teach “news blogging” as a form, so I’m discovering that it might be useful to talk about some different models for blog posts. Here’s a start at a list (if you can think of different ones, add your thoughts in the comments):
The news referral: This kind of post is probably the most common type among "filter"-type blogs. In creating these posts, a blogger links to news that’s been reported elsewhere. The blogger’s primary role is to aggregate interesting information from elsewhere on the Web for his or her users. Often the blogger adds comments or interpretation. Examples: Romenesko (a master at concise posts, effective use of links and headline writing) and Ars Technica.
The news report: This kind of post contains originally reported news. It might be coverage of a speech, or a summary of a report that was recently released by a government agency, organization or advocacy group. It’s the most journalistic of blog post types, but few blogs have the staff or time needed to do much original reporting. Examples: TechCrunch.com and PaidContent.org.
The blockquote: The word "blockquote" actually comes from the HTML tag of the same name. An HTML blockquote is an indented paragraph. It is the commonly accepted way, on a blog, to mark off a section of what someone else has written. Examples: Buzzmachine.com (Jeff Jarvis) and BoingBoing.net..
The essay: This kind of post is typically fairly long and lays out an evidence-based argument, usually with many links. Examples: PressThink (Jay Rosen) and Rough Type (Nicholas Carr). The best of these posts often are followed by a long string of comments and discussion, which Rosen calls "After Matter."
The list post: Perhaps inspired by David Letterman or magazine covers (5 Steps to a Flatter Stomach), this kind of post assembles information into a list, which can be numbered or bulleted. Examples: Northxeast.com (Leo Babauta) and InfoTangle (this post is also an essay; it includes three separate lists).
The speedlink (or link list): The blogger lists multiple links worth reading, usually with some kind of summary of the content. Examples: Contentious.com (Amy Gahran) and ProBlogger.net (Darren Rowse).
The question: This type of blog post will work only if a blog has regular visitors who are comfortable commenting on the blog. As Collis Ta’eed puts it, "By posing an on-topic, interesting and conversation generating question you let the comments be the source of interest, not your post." Example: Huckleberries Online ( Dave Oliveria).
The embed: Here the blogger embeds a video, photo or cartoon, often with little additional comment. Typically these are amusing, though they don’t have to be. These kinds of posts have become much more popular since YouTube popularized video embedding. Examples: TMZ.com and Netbusinessblog.com (Matt Coddington).
The announcement: In this type of post, the blogger is typically telling people about a new development in his or her life, or something new about the blog or site itself. Example: PaidContent.org.
The how-to: This kind of post provides instructions for accomplishing some kind of goal or task. Examples: LifeHacker and Virtual Marketing Blog (this one is also a list post).
The interview: This post summarizes (or provides a transcript of) what an interesting person has to say. Examples: Moconews.net and Guy Kawasaki’s blog.
The review: A common format that can be very helpful to a blog’s readers. Examples: ResearchQuest (Paul Waelchli) and Read/Write Web.
Sources I consulted about different types of blogs and blog posts
Brad Rourke, "A Taxonomy of Blogs" (video)
Robin Hamman, 3 types of blog: closed, conduit and participant in the conversation
iLibrarian, 18 different kinds of blog posts
Collis Ta’eed , The 9 essential posts that every blogger should know