Weblogs
One of the components
of our multimedia writing class is online writing and interaction,
especially about the class readings and projects. In order to facilitate
this interaction between students, we have a course weblog where we
will regularly post our comments and thoughts about the readings, projects,
and ideas covered in class.
As we have read,
weblogs are frequently updated, chronologically ordered webpages.
Many are individual, but some are collaborative, meaning that there
are multiple users of the weblog. In these situations, users create
posts and make comments in conversation with one another. Part
of developing the collaborative nature of the weblog is establishing
ethos. As we read in "Navigating the Blog Universe," there is more
to establishing ethos than just a tactful user name.
In order to help
establish your ethos, you will need to configure your identity
on the course weblog. You will need to log in using the "post"
link to the left and change your password, email, username, web
address.
Throughout the
semester, you should regularly post to the weblog about the readings
for the class. You don't necessarily need to compose an individual
post every time we have a reading; you might respond to someone
else's post about the reading. You might also post relevant links
and commentary for the class. The whole point of the weblog is
to establish and maintain a conversation about the issues, readings,
and projects related to multimedia writing.
Tips for Writing
Always explain why
you find the topic of your post interesting, intriguing, relevant,
pertinent. In short, tell us why it matters.
Remember to engage
in a conversation. This means that your posts should not provide
definitive answers or statements, but should be written to invite
others in the class to discuss your ideas.
Review Mark Bernstein's
Tips for
Writing the Living Web, in which he encourages writing that
is detailed and tight.
Remember to respect
one another's ideas, including the writers we are reading for
class. At no time should you berate any of the members of the class
or our writers.
Review Dennis
Mahoney's How
to Write a Better Weblog, in which he advises weblog writers
to offer something new.
Make sure that
your comments contain substance; rather than just "agree" with
the post, explain why you agree and the significance of that agreement.
Write and respond
often, even while you are reading or working on a project.
Write sooner
rather than later.
