Task 6: Exploring the Blogosphere

Time for a little research...Find at least three blogs that you admire and add them to your "Blog List", a gadget you'll find in the "Design" tab. Pick one of these blog to review. Include the following elements and be sure to include a link to the blog you're reviewing. 

• Design - The first thing that you see when looking at a website is its design. Is the design pleasing to the eye? Is the site cluttered or difficult to navigate? Are there any glaring design flaws or glitches, or is the site a work of art?
• Focus – What is the focus of the site? If you can’t figure it out, then the author is doing something wrong. Focus should be apparent without hunting around too much. Typically by using design elements, or simple headlines or sub-headlines a site must convey its focus.
• Content – The most obvious element to cover in your review is the site’s content. Does the content of the site match its focus? If not, there is a problem! Is the content easily readable? Does it make sense? What are some of the highlights? Is there a page, article or section of the site that really stands out as being fantastic?
• Writing Style – Writing style is one element that many people often ignore. Does the author share his/her voice? Do you find yourself relating to what you read? Is the style professional or does the author blab on about their dying goldfish in every post?
• Grammer and Punctuation – Does the site use proper grammatical elements? Are there spelling mistakes and punctuation errors all over the place?
• Message Effectiveness – Overall, do you find that the site is effective in putting out its message?
• Website Audience – Who is the intended audience for this site or blog? Are the intended and actual audiences different?
• Info about the author – Is there anything interesting to note about the author? e.g. I was watching the news last night and they were talking about a blog written by a boy with cancer. Is the author an expert or do they have no idea what they are talking about? Do they have any qualifications to write what they are writing?
• Anything else you think is important – Of course, there are other elements that you can discuss as well. Anything about the site that stands out, good or bad, should always be covered in a review.

Task 5.5: Fixing Common Errors

There are some common errors that I noticed while reading through all of the blogs, last night.  Below, I explain two of these errors. I'd like you to skim through each blog post in the editing format and fix the following errors should you find them.

1.  Perhaps this common spelling error began because there does exist in English a word spelled “allot” which is a verb meaning to apportion or grant. The correct form, with “a” and “lot” separated by a space is perhaps not often encountered in print because formal writers usually use other expressions such as “a great deal,” “often,” etc. You shouldn't write “alittle” either. It’s “a little.”

Incorrect: Alot

Correct: A lot










2.  I (pronounced /aɪ/) is the first-person singular subjective case personal pronoun in Modern English. It is used to refer to one's self and is capitalised, although other pronouns, such as heor she, are not capitalised.

Incorrect: i really like it when students use the rules of grammar. 

Correct: I really like it when students use the rules of grammar. 

Task 5: A Process Piece

This week, You're going to focus on explaining how to do something that is related to your topic. For example, if you're writing a fashion focused blog, you could explain how to reconstruct a t-shirt, as shown here on Dirty Laundry. Be creative-- the possibilities are endless! You could explain how to throw a football, roast a turkey, apply make-up like Jennifer Lopez, etc. Remember to edit your post, and develop it into about 250 words. Also, be sure to add helpful images or links to your post.

As you write your process essay, consider the following:

• What process are you trying to explain? Why is it important?
• Who or what does the process affect?
• Are there different ways of doing the process? If so, what are they?
• Who are the readers? What knowledge do they need to understand this process?
• What skills/equipment are needed for this?
• How long does the process take? Is the outcome always the same?
• How many steps are there in the process?
• Why is each step important?
• What difficulties are involved in each step? How can they be overcome?
• Do any cautions need to be given?
• Does the process have definitions that need to be clarified?
• Are there other processes that are similar and could help illustrate the process that you are writing about?
• If needed, tell what should not be done or why something should be done.

Task 4

At this point I am going to assume that you're almost an expert on blogger. You've created an account, published at least three posts, inserted images and created links. Congrats--you now officially have a new skill. That leads me to today's task, which is to write about an expert in your field; someone, possibly well known, who has found great success in whatever it is you're writing about. If you are writing a journalish blog, then write about a person that you know who has attained what you'd describe as "success".  This post must be at least 250 words in length and contain a..wait for it..link and an image--or better yet, an embedded video of this person doing what it is they do best.

Also, become a member of the dcals writing blog.

Task 3

Now that you've created and become more comfortable with your blog, explain how you feel about using it. What do you like/dislike about blogging? What problems have you experienced? What problems do you foresee happening in the future? How is this class better or worse than a traditional writing class? Answer these questions in a paragraph.


Next, create a post that reflects your creativity as well as what's current with your focus. If it's fashion--write about a new trend; if it's sports--how about those football games last night? Use interesting details and be sure to insert at least one image and create at least one link.

Task 2

Now that you've set up your blog and completed "Your First Task", explore the myriad options you have to personalize your blog--change the format, colors and gadgets; go ahead and monetize. Check your stats, etc.


Minnehaha Creek Stone Bridge

Once you've finished, begin to draft your second post, which should answer the following question in no less than 250 words and include a link and or an image: What did you do this past weekend that relates to the subject matter on which your blog will focus? For example, if I were writing a blog about things to do in Minneapolis, I would have described walking along the Minnehaha Creek, eating at dinner at Cafe 28 and having lunch at The Eatery.

Your First Task

1.) Read Important Information.
2.) Click on theses links to explore a few blogs and collect ideas and inspiration.
    http://emilysblog3s.edublogs.org/
    http://harleyspaws.blogspot.com/
    http://www.vivafashionblog.com/
    http://www.skateboarding-blog.com/
3.) Create your own blogger account.
4.) Write your first post--in no less than 250 words, respond to the following questions:
                                           a. How do you connect to the world through the internet?
                                           b. If you could take your blog in any direction, what would it be? Why?