B E . A . D I P L O M A T
When I try to express an opinion on something, I always forget that I should try and win the critical readers heart - not try to attack him with aggressive paroles.
I forget to be humble. Reservations such as "I think" or "perhaps" may seem somewhat unnecessary and wishy washy, but I think they can help the reader be more open to what you're trying to say.
When I declared that story is overrated in fiction, I should have added some paragraph where I acknowledges that story is important and actually rather awesome. Again, this feel unnessary - kinda like stating the obvious - but it is necessary to set up a perimeter, so the reader is crystal clear on what you are saying, and what you are not.
One single slight provocation is enough to spoil your message. Look at this:
David Nicholls: Browsing bookshops then buying online is a 'genteel form of shoplifting'
Nicholls makes one single mistake, by comparing a somewhat questionable but legal behavior to shoplifting ... and of course, that single quote goes straight to the headline, since the media just loves conflict, since it makes such great 'stories'.