Besides the references provided on this (and 100 similar threads), one can always resort to observing what type of posts are being merited, and derive a general idea from that observation (see
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=merit;stats=recent for example). The idea is not to copy anyone’s style, but rather to get a feeling of what is actually being merited on the forum, and from there, abstract an idea lead by example.
This is the best suggestion I had seen so far in how to gain merit. Most of newbies and even any ranks were having a hard time gaining merit, yet the real sense of merit in their mindset is absent. Recently for the last 120 days, I have received approx 43 merits not because I imitated how other people posted
(its ideas and formatting style), but rather I've changed my mindset in what unique idea and helpful knowledge could I offer the Bitcointalk community. In that sense,
I've learned that merits aren't given because of your being active, joyful, and kind on the forum, but rather because of the distinct approach/notion towards every post and/or replies a user make.PS: I've seen that most replies here are common. No doubt why such comments are repetitive, because the main thread's idea is redundant as well...