One of the most frustrating aspects of reading blogs is when either the blogger or commenter makes unsupported statements.
You will notice that introduction contains an unsupported statement. Instead I might have written “I get frustrated when a blogger makes an unsupported statement, writing as if they are stating a fact when in truth it is just one person’s opinion”. See the difference?
Now, of course, one of the foundations of blogging is that the medium gives people a voice. It allows us to share our opinions, which in most countries is taken as a right. But just because you have an opinion does not mean anyone necessarily will want to hear it, and without some sort of supporting information, don’t expect anyone to be persuaded by it.
I call the problem the BISS factor … Because I Said So. The frustration of being confronted by a BISS is just the same as when you were being told off by a parent or teacher without any reasoning. This isn’t something we feel like experiencing on a regular basis so can be a good reason to unsubscribe from a blog, therefore it is worth fixing if you do it yourself.
How do you take a “because I said so” toward being a more useful blog post?
What you are wanting to avoid is saying something like “PCs are better than Macs” or “Macs are better than Windows” and leave it at that. Say why, as in the linked articles, even if your reasons are clearly bogus as in the linked articles *cough*. (Don’t worry, I know the blogger and told them my opinion in person, heh).
It should be easy enough to work out why you hold an opinion. On those occasions where you have a nagging feeling about something but can’t put it into words, perhaps turn it into a question on your blog or in Twitter, and start a conversation. If you can’t do either then perhaps you shouldn’t be writing about it?
When you give reasons then people are more likely to take apart your reasons instead of attack you, so you are really doing yourself a favor supporting your arguments.
What do you think?
