What is a blog?
The word “blog,” a contraction
of “web log,” is an informational web page that consists of
discrete units called “posts.” The term “log” comes
from the history of nautical navigation and originally referred to a record of chronological
events kept by a ship’s crew (Rettberg 30). Like a ship’s log,
blogs on the web tend to maintain an ordered chronology, although they often
unfold in reverse order. Blog posts are often shorter and less formal than
other types of writing.
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Blogs can be personal, artistic, academic, or
professional. It is a unique form of online publishing that creates
opportunities for producing knowledge, sharing research, building social
networks, developing
professionally, or documenting personal
growth. toddbacile.wordpress.com Composing a post
You want your blog
to invite readers in and keep them coming back for updates. Great blogs are
vibrant and visually interesting, but they are also thoughtful and purposeful.
Every post matters for generating and holding attention. Consider the following
principles when composing:
•
Make a
point. While posts do not require a formal thesis or claim, it is important
to have an argument, opinion, or purpose in mind when you compose.
•
Be
concise. Use precise language and coherent syntax to make your posts easy
to read.
•
Post
often. Blogs should be updated
regularly to hold readers’ interest. Actively generate new and
interesting content on a daily or weekly schedule.
•
Consider
inviting guest bloggers to appeal to diverse readers, broaden your
blog’s scope, or refresh your own perspective on the project.
•
Proofread.
Careless mistakes and errors can distract readers and make you appear less
credible as a writer.
•
Create
visual interest. Consider which aspects of your content would pair well
with visual elements such as photographs, figures, or videos. Break up large
chunks of text with visual elements to make your blog more readable.
Using Multimedia
Audio and visual interest helps grab a reader’s
attention. Blogs give writers the opportunity to use design, images, audio, and
video to supplement their writing. Take advantage of these innovative ways to
enhance your presentation! Here are some guidelines to have in mind when you
choose your blog’s multimedia elements:
•
Use
appropriate content, size, and quality. Make sure your chosen images
complement the layout of your text visually. Images should be easy to see
without obstructing the text of a post. Choose the highest possible quality
image while also making sure it is easy to load. You don’t want your
readers squinting at blurry pixels, but you won’t want them to wait 10
seconds for something to load, either.
•
When
linking to an online video, consider using a screen shot from that video as
your hyperlink. A screen shot can make a reader more likely to click on a
link. It can provide a visual preview, as well as demonstrate the clip’s
relevance to your post.
•
Attribute
your sources. Like ideas, images and videos are someone else’s
intellectual property. Whenever possible, provide captions for the reader. Even
a simple caption –
(Image courtesy
of msnbc.com) – will help readers identify the object’s origins.
Using Hyperlinks
Hyperlinks are an important part of blogging
and can really increase your credibility. They create a sense of conversation,
act like citations in more informal circumstances, and demonstrate that you are
engaged with other people’s work.
[add a line space here?]
Examples
of Effective Hyperlinks o http://blogs.nicholas.duke.edu/thegreengrok/art-makes-environmental-changereal/
§
Links to scientific sources o http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2014/04/03/298358419/good-day-sunshinecould-morning-light-help-keep-us-lean
§
Links to other news stories, scientific
research, and biographical information for story’s interviewees
Tips To Maintain a Successful Blog
•
Make post titles eye-catching but also
reasonably accurate.
o Example: “Trash Talk” is a post
about waste management.
•
Consider using the tag function in each post.
This will help guide readers through your content thematically instead of
chronologically. Keep tags consistent, including punctuation. For example,
“African-American” and “African American” would be
regarded as two different tags because of the hyphen.
•
If your hosting platform allows, link to similar
blogs in order to increase your traffic.
•
Unlike other writing contexts, you may find it
difficult to identify your audience when you are composing blog posts. If your
blog is public, you could have a large, diverse, and even global readership. Be
aware that you are potentially addressing people with very different knowledge
bases and cultural assumptions than yours.
•
Handle comments with care. As the blog’s
creator, the way you handle dissenting or inflammatory voices sets the tone for
your readers. Consider adjusting your platform’s comment settings if you
need to regulate the conversation. For instance, requiring minimum
identification to post a comment can address the problem of inappropriate posts
by increasing a writer’s accountability.
Examples of Blogs
Academic and Professional Blogs
•
http://blogs.nicholas.duke.edu/ o Student, faculty, and alumni blogs
related to Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment.
• http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/emily-nussbaum o Notes
on arts and culture from the New
Yorker’s TV critic.
Personal, Project-Based, and
Narrative Blogs
•
http://dooce.com/ o Although
she was one of the first people fired for the content of her personal blog,
Heather Armstrong has been updating it for over a decade.
•
http://fortydaysofdating.com/ o Two best friends decide to date for 40
days and record their interactions.
•
http://www.greenkitchenstories.com/ o Vegetarian recipes and lifestyle tips
plus glossy food photography.
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