What makes a blog worthwhile?

I picked the top ten best-written blogs in a feature that posted today. I admit, a few of the picks are unusual: Sore Thumbs might just be a temporary blog between gigs for former EGM editors, but we get to read their insightful comments for now -- they know the game industry better than just about anyone, and the insider info about game journalism is really ripe stuff. Real Dan does seem like it has lost its edge since Fake Steve, but I think that might change -- and his new blog still has better writing than some Apple fanboy making bad jokes on their Typepad account.

It got me thinking: what makes a blog well-written? I mentioned in the piece that it's sometimes just the ability to string a noun and a verb together. Another clear tip-off is that many bloggers think they are being wise and profound by writing in the passive voice. Here's an example: a blogger might decide to write about the new MacBook line and say, "the MacBook was released by Apple to raucous applause from the media." It sounds sort of official, but it's weak -- the sentence slows you down. When you write, "Apple released the MacBook to widespread media praise" it's direct and easy-to-read. You don't have to work hard to figure out the sentence. As my editor has pointed out before, there is a lot of good content on the Net and a lot of bloggers. I tend to think: good writing gives you an edge.

The other criterion I have for "best-written" is just: does the blog come up with some interesting points? That's what I like about Download Squad -- they usually point out the most important details, they know software. And yet, they also know how to express that knowledge. Too many software review blogs just list the specs, show a picture, make a sarcastic jab, and move on. I think Gizmodo and Engadget are both well-written for the most part, but some posts seem a bit hurried -- they want to get the story.

Rough Type and the Ebert blog are in another category altogether. They raise the bar on blog writing and make the rest of us seem like rubes. When I read posts on either site, it seems like I am reading an excerpt from one of their books or printed articles. The posts seem so effortless.

Next week, I plan to post more about blogging -- especially what makes a blog popular and well-known. It's a different set of criteria for what makes a blog well-written. I also plan to start posting more about the coming election and how Web 2.0 will play a big role, even on election day.