- Author
- Michael Lynch (Refactoring English)
- Published
- 7 October 2026
- Kind
- Advice blog post with bad and good examples
- Original
- refactoringenglish.com/blog/anti-patterns-software-blogging/
- Subject
- Writing with models
What it is
Michael Lynch writes Refactoring English and sells a book on writing for developers. The post borrows the idea of anti-patterns from software. It lists the mistakes Lynch sees most from beginner bloggers.
What it says
- Lynch calls the meandering intro the most common mistake. The title and first three sentences should state who it is for and the benefit.
- Lynch says to assume little about the reader. Explain terms instead of linking out.
- Lynch says a post should be readable start to finish without clicking any link.
- Lynch warns against sequel-style openings that assume the reader saw part one.
- Lynch says to drop stiff formality and write as you talk. Delegating writing to AI, Lynch says, is making blogging bland.
- Lynch advises checking mobile layout and text contrast. Lynch reports 25% of this page's readers use phones.
What evidence it gives
The post offers the author's experience and constructed bad and good examples. One quote is a comment from Tyler Cipriani, whose post Lynch edited. Reader statistics come from the author's own analytics.
Interests and limits
Lynch is selling a book on developer writing, which the page advertises. The examples are written by the author. The advice targets beginner software bloggers and was not tested.