The most important tip: read more than you write!
I agree with you, I am mostly reading and observing the forum.
For now the best I can give is what I have observed and hopefully it helped some newbies, because all of the comments here helped me learn a lot.
Thanks for these tips. They are indeed correct in my own view. I would have given you some good merits if I were merit rich like some legends here
. All the same, thanks. However, I would like to add some tips I think could help in earning merits.Always be polite in your comments and posts. You do not need to be confrontational or abusive to make a counter point.
Be factual: Factual accuracy is as important as your grammar and mechanical accuracy, if not more. So avoid vogue or assumptious figures when making references, otherwise you won't be taken seriously.
Don't be absolute or assertive with your views. Always leave some room for other people's opinion.
Correct I'll take note of that, Thank you for your input.