You can't top the Top Ten for Communication  

David Letterman probably wasn't the first ever to create a Top Ten list, but he's turned it into an art, and given people a reason to stay awake past the nightly news. His lists are meant to be humorous, but they are also topical, insightful, and full of hidden meanings.

Coders can learn from Top Ten lists, too, and often see these lists posted on Web sites or in magazines. Even Coding Edge, the American Academy of Professional Coder's monthly magazine for members, has instituted a monthly Top Ten mini-poster, featuring topics like Top 10 Tips for Successful Internet Research, Top Ten Modifier Errors, and Top Ten Rules for Proper ICD-9-CM Coding.

We all take the time to read a Top Ten list because the format is simple and the message is in small bites that are easy to digest. In widely published Top Ten lists, there usually are one or two tidbits that are new or interestin...