Blogging 101

Johnnie s Poem Look! I've written a poem! Johnnie says and hands it to me and it's about his grandfather dying last summer, and me in the hospital and I want to cry, don't you see, because it doesn't matter if it's not very good: what matters is he knows and it was me, his father, who told him you write poems about what you feel deepest and hardest. The trick with excellent blogging is to find something you are passionate about, write from that stance, and find a way to appeal to an audience. You always want to ensure that you keep your audience in mind: the pupose of a blog is to engage with others! It is the interaction of ideas that is critical.

What is a blog? The word “blog” comes from “weblog.” It is a reverse-entry system (the most recent entry shows first). They can serve many purposes: Commenting on current events Sharing of a particular passion or hobby Providing instructional resources (i.e. ‘how to’) Advertising a product or endorsing an idea Your blog is going to center around current events. You have to think of ways to engage your audience in discourse about that event.

What are the characteristics of a blog? Read the blog post you have been provided. What do you notice about the SUBJECT? What is assumed about the AUDIENCE? Based on this example, what should blogs include or not include? Logos – appeal to logic Pathos – appeal to emotions Ethos – appeal to ethics, character, or belief

What do you write about? Find an current event you care about. Think about that event. What is important about it? List some ideas. Consider the following: Text to self --- How does this event impact YOU? Text to text --- What else have you read about this event? What research do you need to do? Text to world --- In what way is this text important to our community province? Country? World? Are there historical events you can connect your writing to?

Consider your blog’s STRUCTURE: How will you introduce this topic? Story or anecdote Quotation from a political leader, author, or poet Statement or opinion How will you CONNECT this topic? To your life To social studies To the wider societal context

STRUCTURE Continued… What techniques will you use to reinforce your point? Humour Satire Pathos (an appeal to emotion) Logos (an appeal to logic or reason) Ethos (an appeal to character)

STRUCTURE Continued… How will you conclude your blog post? Question Appeal to action Story or anecdote Restatement of main idea or thesis

Consider your STYLE Syntax (the structure of your sentences) Short, direct sentences reinforce a point with emphasis Longer, complex sentences allow you to express more sophisticated ideas Most blogs are written with short, direct paragraphs for ease of reading Diction (the words you choose) Chatty, informal style draws a reader in; formal style reinforces your knowledge/expertise Writing in the first person allows the reader to identify with your point Word choice influences TONE (angry, sarcastic, passionate, humorous, thoughtful) What kind of shenanigans has Jim Prentice been up to