Classification of blogs & opinion about the most appropriate classification approach

Though many blogs are about the bloggers personal life as they act as online diaries, there are many other different categories and styles of blogs in the blogosphere.

According to Simons (2008). there are 9 ways of classifying blogs.

1. Pamphleteering blogs where individuals or groups would come together to discuss about certain points of view.

2. Digest blogs where contents are usually repeated as it is obtained from various websites and summarized into the one digest blog.

3. Advocacy blogs are similar to pamphleteering blogs but instead it is by interest groups pushing in a certain point of view.

4. Popular mechanics blog also known as the how to blog where it teaches on mechanics that ranges from cooking to gardening.

5. Exhibition blog is where artist, poets and craftspeople bring their work to a broader audience.

6. Gate watcher blog is where the writers keep an eye on what the media reports and does not report.

7. Diary blog is commonly used as most treat blogs like an online diary.

8. Advertisement blogs are used by commercial company to promote and advertise their products.

9.News blog is usually local and they supplement news to the people.

According to Haskins (2007) however, he has 4 kinds of taxonomy but he called it different motivation for blogging.

1. Distraction blogging where it is a relief for the writer in expressing all about themselves.

2. Archive blogging is where one writes about their expertise to share it and assist other people.

3. Conversation blogging is mutual where the cycle of learning and growing contributes to collective wisdom.

4. Democratic blogging may be political where it changes and reconstructs the dynamics in the society.

Comparing both of Simons (2008) and Haskins (2007), I find Simons’ classification easier to understand as it is more detailed. As I have chosen Simons’ taxanomy, it is because of the detailed and convenience in classifying a blog based on the writing styles and the contents of the blog. It is easier to determine which category they belong to once the writing style is observed. However in circumstances where the contents of the blog overlaps, Haskins may be easier to establish what type of blog it is.

References:

1. Haskins. T. (2007). Different Motivations for Blogging, [Online]. Available from: http://growchangelearn.blogspot.com/2007/03/different-motivations-for-blogging.html [Accessed 16 August 2011].

2. Simons. M. (2011). A Taxonomy of Blogs, [Online]. Available from: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2008/2372882.htm#transcript%29 [Accessed 16 August 2011].