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For the same reason, it's usually better to write a positive statement ("do X") than a negative statement ("avoid Y"), and it's almost always horrible to use double negatives ("avoid not doing X"). Again, the simpler the translation between the text and the user's mental model, the easier the writing is to understand.

Given that users often read only a couple of words from each text element, you should reduce duplication of salient keywords.

• Don't use the same initial keywords in your headline and summary. You have 4 words to make your point, so use 4 different words.

Hypertext Structure

One of the cardinal rules of web writing is to avoid large blocks of text. There are plenty of excellent web writing guides that exhort you to break up your text, using bullets, numbered lists, quotes, paragraph breaks, images-- anything, anything to avoid creating an intimidating wall of dense, impenetrable text.

Blogs work because they're simple. When we
clutter up our blogs with a zillion widgets,
features, and add-ons, we're destroying an essential part of what makes blogs worthwhile.

It's OK to be yourself; at some level, it is a cult of personality: people are reading not only because your content
is useful to them, but because they like you. It's normal to inject a regular dose of yourself into the conversation.

But like Tabasco sauce and other powerful seasonings, a little YOU goes a long way. A really long way. Write accordingly.

If you haven't posted anything new to your blog in a while, don't waste our time with apologies. Just write! The best apology is new and improved content. Maybe with a wee bit more consistency this time, though.

I find meta-blogging -- blogging about blogging -- incredibly boring.

Yes, exactly like this one.

The problem with Top (n) Lists is that they become
a substitute for critical thinking,

A blog without comments is not a blog.