Classification of Blogs

According to Wikipedia (2007), blogs can be identified through the content and the way is it being presented. This statement is agreed by many bloggers as content serves as an important element in a blog. However on the other hand, Miller and Shepherd (2004) stated that as the content of blog are wide-ranging; it is difficult to classify blogs.

People create different types of blogs based on their field of interest. Categories of blogs include personal blogs that serve as an online diary to keep in touch with friend and family, blogs which are identified by media type such as vlog (videos), photoblog and sketchblog, blogs that focus on a certain subject matter such as education, politics, travel, music and fashion, blogs composed with different type of media and blogs that are meant for business purposes.

Example of Photoblog

Source: www.flickr.com

Example of Vlog

Source: www.youtube.com

Simons (2008) on the other uses a different approach to classify blogs. Blogs that are intended for the family and friends of the blogger is known as “The Diary”. “The Exhibition Blog” is blogs that artists use to present their creation to the public and “The Advertisement” is blogs that a company uses to promote their product or services. “The News Blog” serves to cover and break important stories to the public. Other classifications of blogs by Simons are “Pamphleteering Blogs”, “The Digest Blog”, “The Advocacy Blog”, “The Popular Mechanics Blog” (focus on a particular subject interest, for instance gardening, photography) and “The Gatewatcher Blog” (a place for experts, specialists and people that have particular knowledge to share opinions).

Example of "The Diary"

Source: angelicnot.blogspot.com

In my opinion, different style of writing, topic and target audience help to define a blog genre. I believe that as more and more blogs emerge, there will be more classification for blogs. Blogs become more diverse according to the interest of an individual these days. There might be new word to replace “blog” in the future. Who knows?

References

‘Blog’, Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, viewed 17 November 2009,

< http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog>

Miller, CR & Shepherd, D 2004, 'Blogging as Social Action: A Genre Analysis of the Weblog', Into the Blogosphere: Rhetoric, Community and Culture of Weblogs, viewed 17 November 2009, http://blog.lib.umn.edu/blogosphere/blogging_as_social_action_a_genre_analysis_of_the_weblog.html>

Simons, M 2008, ‘Towards a taxonomy of blogs’, Australian Policy Online, viewed 17 November 2009, < http://www.apo.org.au/commentary/towards-taxonomy-blogs-0>