Let’s filter down specific examples of each of the three main types of blogging.
Personal Blogs-
Filter Blogs-
Topic-Driven Blogs-
By now you should have clicked on each of those to familiarize yourself with each type of blog.
As you can see, the Personal/Diary type style of blog includes an About page, giving the reader a summary of the blogger. An example can be seen here, from Ashley Jillian’s Blog. These types of blogs are also a lot more personable, as the bloggers try to create a relationship with their readers/followers, etc., as well as executing this in their writing style. The overall design of the blog itself also represents the blogger’s style, and an execution of their personality. The blogger’s stylistic choices in their blog design and writing style personalize their blog, and are made purely due to what they want, in comparison to creating a blog to execute that of a non-personal blog.
Like Rettberg says in Blogging, “[in personal blogs] the primary subject is the blogger’s life; it is a diary that is open to the public.” i.e. it is a diary that is deliberately written to be shared. Like in So here’s the deal., Amanda Bower shares her weight-loss journey, keeping her writing light and personable, while also keeping it professional and informative (image below). This change in tone, creates a personal blog, letting your readers into your life, and giving them the option and opportunity to learn something intimate about you. However, the blogger will not post overly often like this, as the blogger only aims to present “slices of their life, episodes and anecdotes that give readers a strong feeling of knowing the blogger, but that they also keep many [of their own secrets.]” (Rettberg)
Moving on to Filter Blogs, Boing Boing is a perfect example of one that shares bizarre news finds and more. Filter blogging becomes a much broader topic than that of personal blogging as they mainly focus on the blogger’s experiences on the web, and thus, sharing what they have found. The blog is less about the blogger themselves, but more about what is going on around them. Not only is the blogging experience different for that of the reader, but the overall range of filter blogs widens in the different kinds out there. The popular blog Metafilter is primarily a group blog where members can post links to interesting websites, etc. These blogs become shares sites, and only that. They are information givers and receivers. (Metafilter image below).
Thus, these blogs do not share personal stories of the blogger, and very few will provide an About page, or a photo of the blogger. The tone of the page is more professional, limiting opinions, and more than likely each post will consist of a main topic, links to the information sources, and comments from other bloggers interested in the content. The blogger, in some cases, will still use ‘I’ in their posts, connecting themselves to the posts. There may be several posts daily which will cover a wide range of topics. Some Filter blogs will provide links like Metafilter does, such as, Best Of, Random, and Popular, which narrows down the topics to those of specific categories, chosen by the blogger.
Finally, the Topic-Driven Blogs are little more self-explanatory. They represent hobbies, passions, professions, and so on, ranging in topics from sports, to food, to travel. Some of these blogs appear more personal, having many characteristics of the Personal/Diary Blog-style. However, may of these blogs, like Rettberg says, “are not primarily focused on the various interests of the individual blogger, but are instead focused on topics as diverse as knitting, personal finances, crafting with children, etc.” Rettberg also goes on to explain that these topic-centered blogs share newly discovered ideas and information with their readers, usually providing links to more information.
A Sweeter Thing, a foodie blog (image below), has some characteristics of the Personal Blog style, like providing an About page, as seen here. The blog also includes images of the blogger and her family, while also including personal aspects in the writing on certain recipes (ex: “Anna and I had a fabulous trip to Illinois…”) See what I’m talking about here. However, the tone of the blogger is also professional, as she provides step-by-step instructions on each recipe. Due to the topic choice in Topic-Driven Blogs, the audiences remain large, even though there are varying differences in the genre conversations, the subject remains the same, which attracts a wider range of followers. Small Food Business is a perfect example of a more professional Topic-Driven Blog. From content to overall style to a breakdown of sub-topics, as seen here, this blog focuses on the diverse topic of starting your very own small food business.
Whew. Take a breather.
More Information:
-Word Press breaks it down a little simpler. Check here.
-Eva Percic breaks it down a little funnier. Check here.
The Gist 
Really thorough, which I appreciate because your consideration gives me things to look for in the three types of blogs. But I really appreciate the way you bring Rettberg back into the conversation as a way of moving to your own consideration – like this –
Like Rettberg says in Blogging, “[in personal blogs] the primary subject is the blogger’s life; it is a diary that is open to the public.” i.e. it is a diary that is deliberately written to be shared. Like in So here’s the deal., Amanda Bower shares her weight-loss journey, keeping her writing light and personable, while also keeping it professional and informative (image below). This change in tone, creates a personal blog, letting your readers into your life, and giving them the option and opportunity to learn something intimate about you. However, the blogger will not post overly often like this, as the blogger only aims to present “slices of their life, episodes and anecdotes that give readers a strong feeling of knowing the blogger, but that they also keep many [of their own secrets.]” (Rettberg)
Thats’s tight and re-pays re-reading. Thanks.