Anti-Patterns in Software Blogging
6 hours ago
- Avoid meandering intros; give the reader a compelling reason to continue reading within the title and first three sentences.
- Minimize assumptions about the reader's background knowledge; don't assume they know everything except one thing.
- Don't over-rely on links to explain terms; summarize relevant information instead of forcing the reader to click away.
- Make blog posts standalone; avoid presenting them as sequels that require reading previous posts.
- Write in a casual, conversational tone rather than being overly formal or pretentious.
- Ensure basic HTML rendering: test for mobile overflow and use readable fonts with sufficient contrast.
- Question your assumptions about what the reader knows and re-read your article to match those expectations.
- Links should be a bonus for deeper exploration, not a prerequisite for understanding the article.
- Drop excessive formality and write the way you speak in real life to engage readers.
- Use browser testing tools to check for low-contrast text and mobile layout issues before publishing.