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Top 10 Things Wrong With Top 10 Lists

You won't believe #5!

Kurt A. Fisher

Feb 01, 2016

University of Scranton

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“Top 10 Cutest Animals That Ever Existed!”

“Top 10 TV Moms We Wish Were Our Moms!”

“Top 10 Foods You HAVE to Eat!”

How many of you have seen these types of web articles? How many of you have clicked on one? Fittingly called “listicles,” these articles run rampant across our newsfeeds and sidebars. But don’t let them fool you. Beneath their eye-catching photos and gripping titles, most (but not all) of these listicles are the same unsatisfying, empty and deceiving reads for these reasons. Read more to find out!

1. The title

2. Excessive use of out-of-context GIFs

3. Using quick, bolded statements to convey an idea without actually explaining the idea in depth

4. You won't believe #5!

5. Each list is more of the same

6. Each list is more of the same

7. "Top 10 Disney Movies" and "Top 10 Things About Being a 90's Kid"- The unjust exploitation of our childhood

8. The proliferation of clickbait

9. If not a "Top 10 List," then it's typically some random number like "Top 17," "Top 53" or "Top 1753" list

Click "CONTINUE" for #10!

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Top 10 Things Wrong With Top 10 Lists

You won't believe #5!

1. The title

2. Excessive use of out-of-context GIFs

3. Using quick, bolded statements to convey an idea without actually explaining the idea in depth

4. You won't believe #5!

5. Each list is more of the same

6. Each list is more of the same

7. "Top 10 Disney Movies" and "Top 10 Things About Being a 90's Kid"- The unjust exploitation of our childhood

8. The proliferation of clickbait

9. If not a "Top 10 List," then it's typically some random number like "Top 17," "Top 53" or "Top 1753" list

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This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

Run Around Clanging Pots and Pans in Everyone's Face

Eat the Last Few Pigs in a Blanket

Pop Twelve White Grapes

Burn Something

Smash Things Against a Wall

Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig

Call Your Mother

Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window

Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs

Do Some Squats

Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water

Take a Shot

Time to be merry and bright.

"First Noel" by Leslie Odom, Jr

"A Holly Jolly Christmas" by Burl Ives

"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Kelly Clarkson

"All I Want for Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey

"Christmas (Baby Please Come Home" by Michael Buble

"Last Christmas" by Taylor Swift

"The Christmas Song" by Josh Groban

"White Christmas" by Idina Menzel

"O Holy Night" by David Archuleta

"Believe" by Josh Groban

"Les cloches du hameau" by Celine Dion

Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

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