LitWiki - User contributions [en]

Proofreading

2013-05-03T07:57:12Z

AmyRehner: image size

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

Proofreading [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proofreading] is reviewing and rereading a document looking for errors and is essential for all writing. It creates a seamless document by correcting all errors. When proofreading look for typos [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/typo], misspelled words, punctuation and grammar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_grammar] mistakes, and any other problems within the document. Having a flawless, error free, document gives creditably and is easier for the audience [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audience] to read and understand.
[[File:clip_image002_001.jpg|thumb|upright=1]]

= Why Proofreading is Important =

While content is important, readers base their judgment on the document's appearance. Careless errors are distracting to readers. It is important to pay attention to details because it helps make a good impression overall. It is better to work with a definite plan that helps search for specific kinds of errors rather than quickly glancing over the document. When quickly glancing over a document, it is easy to overlook many errors.

= Checklist =
When proofreading, first put the document aside for a few hours, days, or weeks. This allows for a fresh look at the document to see what is really on the page. Find a quite place to work. Read slow, and read every word. Read aloud. By following a proofreading checklist, it is easier to find common errors [http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/561/02/]. Proofread for only one kind of error at a time.

==Spelling==
Look for misspelled words. Using a spell checker [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spell_checker] will find most errors and typos, but not all. It is important not to only rely on spell checker but to also review and reread your document. Spell checkers do not always correct homophones [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophones](i.e. their, they're, there), words used incorrectly,as well as and/or contractions [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contraction_(grammar)](i.e. don't, won't, can't).

==Punctuation==
Punctuation [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuation] is not always checked with the spell checker. When rereading your document, look for punctuation errors. This includes periods [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Period_(punctuation)], commas [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma], colons [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colon_(punctuation)], semicolons [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semicolon], quotations [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quotation_mark] and the correct punctuation when citing sources.

==Content==
When proofreading, be sure to also pay attention to the content. Check for clarity, organization, variation of sentence structure, and word choice. Also, check for correct grammar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_grammar]. Check your document to make sure your tenses [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenses] are consistent (past, first-person, present). Be sure to stay within the same format throughout (MLA, APA, etc.). Also, pay close attention to the way the document is laid out (margins and fonts).

=Proofread Again=
It does not hurt to reread your document many times looking for errors and for ways to improve it. It is easy to overlook an error or mistake. However, close reexamination ensures that fewer errors will make it to the final text, lending to more credibility to the author. Consider having a peer or professor look over the document as well.

= External Links =
#Carrol, Brian. (2010).[http://bookmoving.com/book/writing-digital-media_3430.html ''Writing for Digital Media'']. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#Lucas, Gerald. (1997).[http://litmuse.net/resources/writing/editors-checklist "Editor's Checklist"]. http://litmuse.net/resources/writing/editors-checklist. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#[http://www.maconstate.edu/library/citing.aspx "Macon State College Library's Guide to Citing Sources"] Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#Olson, Gary. (1999).[http://lilt.ilstu.edu/golson/punctuation/ "Punctuation Made Simple"]. http://lilt.ilstu.edu/golson/punctuation/. College of the Arts and Sciences at Illinois State University. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#Welcome to the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL). (2013).[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ "The Purdue Online Writing Lab"].http://owl.english.purdue.edu/. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#[http://www.merriam-webster.com/mw/table/proofrea.htm "Proofreaders' Marks"]. (2013). Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online.http://www.merriam-webster.com/mw/table/proofrea.htm. Retrieved 28 March 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]
*[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]
*[[Brevity|Brevity]]
*[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]

[[Category:New Media]]

File:Clip image002 001.jpg

2013-05-03T07:56:50Z

AmyRehner:

Proofreading

2013-05-03T07:56:40Z

AmyRehner: Add Image

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

Proofreading [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proofreading] is reviewing and rereading a document looking for errors and is essential for all writing. It creates a seamless document by correcting all errors. When proofreading look for typos [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/typo], misspelled words, punctuation and grammar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_grammar] mistakes, and any other problems within the document. Having a flawless, error free, document gives creditably and is easier for the audience [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audience] to read and understand.
[[File:clip_image002_001.jpg|thumb|upright=2]]

= Why Proofreading is Important =

While content is important, readers base their judgment on the document's appearance. Careless errors are distracting to readers. It is important to pay attention to details because it helps make a good impression overall. It is better to work with a definite plan that helps search for specific kinds of errors rather than quickly glancing over the document. When quickly glancing over a document, it is easy to overlook many errors.

= Checklist =
When proofreading, first put the document aside for a few hours, days, or weeks. This allows for a fresh look at the document to see what is really on the page. Find a quite place to work. Read slow, and read every word. Read aloud. By following a proofreading checklist, it is easier to find common errors [http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/561/02/]. Proofread for only one kind of error at a time.

==Spelling==
Look for misspelled words. Using a spell checker [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spell_checker] will find most errors and typos, but not all. It is important not to only rely on spell checker but to also review and reread your document. Spell checkers do not always correct homophones [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophones](i.e. their, they're, there), words used incorrectly,as well as and/or contractions [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contraction_(grammar)](i.e. don't, won't, can't).

==Punctuation==
Punctuation [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuation] is not always checked with the spell checker. When rereading your document, look for punctuation errors. This includes periods [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Period_(punctuation)], commas [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma], colons [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colon_(punctuation)], semicolons [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semicolon], quotations [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quotation_mark] and the correct punctuation when citing sources.

==Content==
When proofreading, be sure to also pay attention to the content. Check for clarity, organization, variation of sentence structure, and word choice. Also, check for correct grammar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_grammar]. Check your document to make sure your tenses [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenses] are consistent (past, first-person, present). Be sure to stay within the same format throughout (MLA, APA, etc.). Also, pay close attention to the way the document is laid out (margins and fonts).

=Proofread Again=
It does not hurt to reread your document many times looking for errors and for ways to improve it. It is easy to overlook an error or mistake. However, close reexamination ensures that fewer errors will make it to the final text, lending to more credibility to the author. Consider having a peer or professor look over the document as well.

= External Links =
#Carrol, Brian. (2010).[http://bookmoving.com/book/writing-digital-media_3430.html ''Writing for Digital Media'']. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#Lucas, Gerald. (1997).[http://litmuse.net/resources/writing/editors-checklist "Editor's Checklist"]. http://litmuse.net/resources/writing/editors-checklist. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#[http://www.maconstate.edu/library/citing.aspx "Macon State College Library's Guide to Citing Sources"] Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#Olson, Gary. (1999).[http://lilt.ilstu.edu/golson/punctuation/ "Punctuation Made Simple"]. http://lilt.ilstu.edu/golson/punctuation/. College of the Arts and Sciences at Illinois State University. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#Welcome to the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL). (2013).[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ "The Purdue Online Writing Lab"].http://owl.english.purdue.edu/. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#[http://www.merriam-webster.com/mw/table/proofrea.htm "Proofreaders' Marks"]. (2013). Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online.http://www.merriam-webster.com/mw/table/proofrea.htm. Retrieved 28 March 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]
*[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]
*[[Brevity|Brevity]]
*[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Brevity

2013-05-03T07:54:11Z

AmyRehner: *image size

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

Brevity is essential for all writing. It forces the writer to be more intentional with their words and keeps readers from having to read through chunks of unneeded text.
[[File:developingbrief.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5]]
=== Writing for Brevity ===
When writing for brevity, try to avoid "humbug and general vagueness"<ref>Carroll, 14</ref>. Orwell suggests that you do the following:

# Never use a long word where a short one will do.
# If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
# Never use a foreign phrase, scientific word or jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

Writers should always be brief, precise, and direct. When writing a word it should mean exactly what it intends, no more and no less. Always use the precise word that your writing requires. When writing for digital media, have a dictionary and thesaurus close at hand <ref>Carroll, 8</ref>.

== Notes==
<references/>

==References==
#Carrol, Brian. (2010).[http://bookmoving.com/book/writing-digital-media_3430.html ''Writing for Digital Media'']. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 28 March 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]
*[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]
*[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]
*[[Proofreading|Proofreading]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Brevity

2013-05-03T07:53:52Z

AmyRehner: *image size

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

Brevity is essential for all writing. It forces the writer to be more intentional with their words and keeps readers from having to read through chunks of unneeded text.
[[File:developingbrief.jpg|thumb|upright=2]]
=== Writing for Brevity ===
When writing for brevity, try to avoid "humbug and general vagueness"<ref>Carroll, 14</ref>. Orwell suggests that you do the following:

# Never use a long word where a short one will do.
# If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
# Never use a foreign phrase, scientific word or jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

Writers should always be brief, precise, and direct. When writing a word it should mean exactly what it intends, no more and no less. Always use the precise word that your writing requires. When writing for digital media, have a dictionary and thesaurus close at hand <ref>Carroll, 8</ref>.

== Notes==
<references/>

==References==
#Carrol, Brian. (2010).[http://bookmoving.com/book/writing-digital-media_3430.html ''Writing for Digital Media'']. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 28 March 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]
*[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]
*[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]
*[[Proofreading|Proofreading]]

[[Category:New Media]]

File:Developingbrief.jpg

2013-05-03T07:53:27Z

AmyRehner:

Brevity

2013-05-03T07:52:54Z

AmyRehner: Add Image

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

Brevity is essential for all writing. It forces the writer to be more intentional with their words and keeps readers from having to read through chunks of unneeded text.
[[File:developingbrief.jpg|thumb|upright=1]]
=== Writing for Brevity ===
When writing for brevity, try to avoid "humbug and general vagueness"<ref>Carroll, 14</ref>. Orwell suggests that you do the following:

# Never use a long word where a short one will do.
# If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
# Never use a foreign phrase, scientific word or jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

Writers should always be brief, precise, and direct. When writing a word it should mean exactly what it intends, no more and no less. Always use the precise word that your writing requires. When writing for digital media, have a dictionary and thesaurus close at hand <ref>Carroll, 8</ref>.

== Notes==
<references/>

==References==
#Carrol, Brian. (2010).[http://bookmoving.com/book/writing-digital-media_3430.html ''Writing for Digital Media'']. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 28 March 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]
*[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]
*[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]
*[[Proofreading|Proofreading]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Links

2013-05-03T07:47:52Z

AmyRehner: edit image

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

No page on the internet stands alone. The connection of sites on the internet is what makes the web interactive. Links play a vital role in maintaining this interactivity. By connecting to other areas of the internet, readers are given access to an unlimited pool of information. An article by Lee Munroe of [http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/02/13/the-definitive-guide-to-styling-web-links/ Smashing Magazine] quoted [http://webstandardistas.com/ Web Standardistas] saying "“without hypertext links the Web wouldn’t be the Web, it would simply be a collection of separate, unconnected pages.”<ref>Lee Munroe</ref>

[[File:links.png|thumb|upright=3]]

==Why Link==

===Credibility===

Readers come to the internet for information. Even if the content is purely for entertainment purposes, the author is still expected to present accurate, well-supported information. Blog writing is not exempt from this requirement. More and more people go to blogs everyday to find information. According to researchers Thomas J. Johnson and Barbara K. Kaye, blog readers are "seeking out information to support their views and are likely to consider information they receive from blogs as highly credible."<ref>Johnson and Kaye</ref> Providing attribution for evidence and quotes that support your position can easily be accomplished by using hyperlinks. According to [http://webdesign.about.com/od/beginningtutorials/qt/external-links.htm About.com] guide Jennifer Kyrnin, "Don't forget, even eminent scientists provide bibliographies on their papers and journal entries. By linking to sites outside of your own site, you show that you have done the research on the topic and really do know what you're talking about." <ref>Jennifer Kyrnin</ref> Hyperlinks can also be used to provide context for a post.<ref>Brian Carroll 39</ref> These links can give reference to why a post is relevant within the topic, how the author gathers information, and where the authors views originated.

===Interactivity===

When using hyperlinks, the goal is to reward readers with something extra or another dimension to the story. This is generally referred to as [http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Scan-ability#Layering_content "layering."]<ref>Brian Carroll 37</ref> By doing this, you allow your reader to move around from story to story, link to other sources, and even explore alternative subjects. No other medium provides for this. According to Carroll, "We should link to related content to allow the reader to pursue the subject rather than simply moving to the next story.<ref>Brian Carroll 38</ref>" By including these links, you give the readers a feeling of control. They are not required to wait until the end of the story. Instead, they can pursue what interest them.

==What are Links==
Links can be addictive. Because of this, writers should be intentional about what content contains links, and where these links lead. According to ''Writing for Digital Media'' by Brian Carroll, "Before linking to another site, ask what the reward for following that link will be for the reader. This consideration will prevent gratuitous linking." <ref>Brian Carroll 39</ref>

===Sources===

Sources can include supporting documents, empirical data, corroborating accounts, definitions of words, explanations, maps, etc. When referencing a person, link to that person's page. When talking about a movie, link to the trailer. Keep in mind that common knowledge to the author may be foreign to the reader.

=== Embedded links===
Embedded links are the most common type of link. These link to other web pages outside of your blog. Using external links is useful in giving access to evidence that verifies the information presented in your blog, or provided related reading material. The link is designated by a "hot area" identified by a word or object. According to [http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/H/hot_spot.html Webopedia], a hot area is "an area of a graphics object, or a section of text, that activates a function when selected. Hot spots are particularly common in multimedia applications, where selecting a hot spot can make the application display a picture, run a video, or open a new window of information."

===Inline links===
Inline links do not take the reader off the page. These links display content that is located somewhere else on the web, but they do not require the user to navigate away from the blog. The most common types of inline links are pictures and videos. The author displays these graphics on his or her page, but acknowledges that they originated elsewhere on the internet.

===Anchors===
Like inline links, anchors do not send readers elsewhere. Instead, these links connect the reader to other sections of the page. [http://kb.weebly.com/anchor-links.html Weebly support center] says, "Anchor links enable you to link directly from one part of a page to another" One of the most anchor links is a link to the home page. As bloggers, we should keep in mind that not all users access each page through the home page. Providing a link to the homepage gives access to the rest of your content.

==How to Link==
=== HTML ===
Creating hypertext with HTML can be done with a simple code. The HTML link syntax looks like this: '''<a href="url">Link text</a>'''

Example: To link to a page about linking, I would use this code '''<nowiki><a href="http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp#gsc.tab=0">Links</a></nowiki>'''. It would then appear as: [http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp#gsc.tab=0 Links]. This HTML code will work on websites that support HTML coding.

====New tab====
Sometimes it's beneficial to have hyperlinks open a new tab or window. The HTML code for opening the link in another tab looks like this: '''<nowiki><a href="URL of target site" target="_blank">Anchor text</a></nowiki>''' and displays as this: [http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp Anchor text].

====New window====
The HTML code for opening the link in another window looks like this: '''<nowiki><a href="URL of target site" target="_blank">Anchor Text</a> or <a href="URL of target site" target="new">Anchor Text</a></nowiki>''' and displays as this: [http://dummies.bloggertipsandtricks.com/2006/03/how-to-make-clickable-link.html Anchor Text]

====Alternative codes====

It's important to remember that various websites will have their own method of adding a hyperlink to a post. For example, this wiki does not use the HTML code shown above. Instead, hyperlinks are shown by placing a url in standard brackets and then simply typing the word you wish to display. It looks like this: '''<nowiki>[http://www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia]</nowiki>''' and displays as this: [http://www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia]. When working with various websites, take the time to figure out how each site supports hyperlinks.

=== The Link button ===
[[File:Links.jpg|thumb|Link button]]
The graphical user interface is a wonderful thing. Because of this, many blog sites don't require users to write HTML code. These sites offer a method of linking with the click of a button. This button is most often a graphic representation of a chain linked together.
To use this button, simply highlight the text you wish to link, click the link graphic and insert a url. If you want to remove a link from a word or set of words, highlight the text and click the broken chain graphic. This will remove the link.

=== Unambiguous linking ===
When incorporating hyperlinks into a blog post, make sure that any linked text leads to an obvious destination. Readers should always have a clear idea of where each link will take them. Ben Hunt from [http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/usability/clear-hyperlinks/ Web Design from Scratch] said, "To help users browse with confidence, web links should be absolutely clear and explicit." Ambiguous links may lead to a loss of credibility.

=== Contrast ===
Many blog sites or themes have a default color for hyperlinks. Blue is no longer the only option, but sometimes customization is impossible within a theme. If customization is possible, be sure to choose a color for hypertext that will stand out. Contrast is important so that users can tell which words are or are not links. According to Gary Swift of [http://www.designmatrix.com/index.html DesignMatriX.com], "Choose hyperlink (anchor) colors that contrast against the normal text color, with unvisited links brighter (hotter) than visited links. Within a set of related hypertext documents, use these link colors consistently. For Web sites this generally means the entire site." <ref>Gary Swift</ref>

=== Menus ===
One option for incorporating links is to create a sidebar or menu on the page that leads to supporting information. When using [http://wordpress.com/ Wordpress] adding a menu is relatively simple depending on the theme. To find out if your theme supports menus, go to your blog's dashboard and go to '''Appearance --> Menus.''' Wordpress provides a [http://en.support.wordpress.com/menus/ tutorial] on how to customize the menu in various ways.

==How not to Link==

===Punctuation marks===
When highlighting a word or phrase to link, make sure to exclude all punctuation marks.

===Headlines===

Ideally, [[Headers and Sub-headers| headlines and sub-headers]] should stand on their own. It is both distracting and unnecessary to link the title to another page.

=== Long phrases ===
To put it simply, long, hyperlinked phrases do not get read. Whether the phrase is underlined or displayed in a darker color, it is difficult to read a full sentence that contains a hyperlink. Remember that users don't read, [http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Scan-ability they scan]. Stick with 1-2 words or the title of whatever you're referencing. [http://www.asdfsdfreresdferer.com/ If you're link looks anything like this, there's good change that you're doing it wrong. This link is much too long and leads to nothing.]

===Labels===

Hyperlinks should not show up as labels that simply point to content. "Click here" or "Additional information" is ambiguous and does not provide any useful information for the reader.[http://jimthatcher.com/news-061607.htm Click here for more information about this common error!]

===Broken links===

This concept is relatively self-explanatory, but it is nevertheless a common mistake. Be careful to check the destination of each link before publishing a post. Broken links frustrate the readers and can damage the credibility of the writer.

==Notes==
<references/>

==References==

#[http://kb.weebly.com/anchor-links.html Anchor Links]. ''Weebly'' Web. 10 April 2013
# Carroll, Brian. (2010). ''[http://www.scribd.com/doc/64429015/Writing-for-Digital-Media Writing for Digital Media]''. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
# [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Cheatsheet Help: Cheatsheet.] ''Wikipedia.'' 30 March 2013. Web. 3 April 2013
# [http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp HTML Links.] ''w3Schools'' Web. 2 April 2013
# Hunt, Ben. [http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/usability/clear-hyperlinks/ Clear Web Hyperlinks] ''Web Design from Scratch''. Web. 10 April 2013
# Johnson, Thomas J. and Kaye, Barbara K. "Cruising is Believing?" Comparing Internet and Traditional Sources on Media Credibility Measures," ''Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly'', 75,(1998): 325-40
# Kyrnin, Jennifer. [http://webdesign.about.com/od/beginningtutorials/qt/external-links.htm Why and How to Use External Links.] ''About.com'' Web. 1 April 2013
# Munroe, Lee. [http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/02/13/the-definitive-guide-to-styling-web-links/ The Definitive Guide To Styling Web Links.] ''Smashing Magazine'' 13 February, 2013. Web. 1 April 2013
# [http://en.support.wordpress.com/menus/ Support: Custom Menus.] ''Wordpress'' Web. 2 April 2013
# Swift, Gary. [http://www.designmatrix.com/pl/cyberpl/www/clc.html Consistent Link Colors.] ''DesignMatriX'' 22 September, 2012. Web. 2 April 2013
# Thatcher, James. [http://jimthatcher.com/news-061607.htm Click Here and Other Link Text.] ''Jim Thatcher.'' 2 May 2011. Web. 3 April 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Themes|Themes]]
*[[Categorizing Posts|Categorizing Posts]]
*[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headers and Sub-headers]]
*[[Lists|Lists]]

[[Category:New Media]]

File:Links.png

2013-05-03T07:47:22Z

AmyRehner:

Links

2013-05-03T07:46:53Z

AmyRehner: Add Image

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

No page on the internet stands alone. The connection of sites on the internet is what makes the web interactive. Links play a vital role in maintaining this interactivity. By connecting to other areas of the internet, readers are given access to an unlimited pool of information. An article by Lee Munroe of [http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/02/13/the-definitive-guide-to-styling-web-links/ Smashing Magazine] quoted [http://webstandardistas.com/ Web Standardistas] saying "“without hypertext links the Web wouldn’t be the Web, it would simply be a collection of separate, unconnected pages.”<ref>Lee Munroe</ref>

[[File:links.png|thumb|upright=1]]

==Why Link==

===Credibility===

Readers come to the internet for information. Even if the content is purely for entertainment purposes, the author is still expected to present accurate, well-supported information. Blog writing is not exempt from this requirement. More and more people go to blogs everyday to find information. According to researchers Thomas J. Johnson and Barbara K. Kaye, blog readers are "seeking out information to support their views and are likely to consider information they receive from blogs as highly credible."<ref>Johnson and Kaye</ref> Providing attribution for evidence and quotes that support your position can easily be accomplished by using hyperlinks. According to [http://webdesign.about.com/od/beginningtutorials/qt/external-links.htm About.com] guide Jennifer Kyrnin, "Don't forget, even eminent scientists provide bibliographies on their papers and journal entries. By linking to sites outside of your own site, you show that you have done the research on the topic and really do know what you're talking about." <ref>Jennifer Kyrnin</ref> Hyperlinks can also be used to provide context for a post.<ref>Brian Carroll 39</ref> These links can give reference to why a post is relevant within the topic, how the author gathers information, and where the authors views originated.

===Interactivity===

When using hyperlinks, the goal is to reward readers with something extra or another dimension to the story. This is generally referred to as [http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Scan-ability#Layering_content "layering."]<ref>Brian Carroll 37</ref> By doing this, you allow your reader to move around from story to story, link to other sources, and even explore alternative subjects. No other medium provides for this. According to Carroll, "We should link to related content to allow the reader to pursue the subject rather than simply moving to the next story.<ref>Brian Carroll 38</ref>" By including these links, you give the readers a feeling of control. They are not required to wait until the end of the story. Instead, they can pursue what interest them.

==What are Links==
Links can be addictive. Because of this, writers should be intentional about what content contains links, and where these links lead. According to ''Writing for Digital Media'' by Brian Carroll, "Before linking to another site, ask what the reward for following that link will be for the reader. This consideration will prevent gratuitous linking." <ref>Brian Carroll 39</ref>

===Sources===

Sources can include supporting documents, empirical data, corroborating accounts, definitions of words, explanations, maps, etc. When referencing a person, link to that person's page. When talking about a movie, link to the trailer. Keep in mind that common knowledge to the author may be foreign to the reader.

=== Embedded links===
Embedded links are the most common type of link. These link to other web pages outside of your blog. Using external links is useful in giving access to evidence that verifies the information presented in your blog, or provided related reading material. The link is designated by a "hot area" identified by a word or object. According to [http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/H/hot_spot.html Webopedia], a hot area is "an area of a graphics object, or a section of text, that activates a function when selected. Hot spots are particularly common in multimedia applications, where selecting a hot spot can make the application display a picture, run a video, or open a new window of information."

===Inline links===
Inline links do not take the reader off the page. These links display content that is located somewhere else on the web, but they do not require the user to navigate away from the blog. The most common types of inline links are pictures and videos. The author displays these graphics on his or her page, but acknowledges that they originated elsewhere on the internet.

===Anchors===
Like inline links, anchors do not send readers elsewhere. Instead, these links connect the reader to other sections of the page. [http://kb.weebly.com/anchor-links.html Weebly support center] says, "Anchor links enable you to link directly from one part of a page to another" One of the most anchor links is a link to the home page. As bloggers, we should keep in mind that not all users access each page through the home page. Providing a link to the homepage gives access to the rest of your content.

==How to Link==
=== HTML ===
Creating hypertext with HTML can be done with a simple code. The HTML link syntax looks like this: '''<a href="url">Link text</a>'''

Example: To link to a page about linking, I would use this code '''<nowiki><a href="http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp#gsc.tab=0">Links</a></nowiki>'''. It would then appear as: [http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp#gsc.tab=0 Links]. This HTML code will work on websites that support HTML coding.

====New tab====
Sometimes it's beneficial to have hyperlinks open a new tab or window. The HTML code for opening the link in another tab looks like this: '''<nowiki><a href="URL of target site" target="_blank">Anchor text</a></nowiki>''' and displays as this: [http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp Anchor text].

====New window====
The HTML code for opening the link in another window looks like this: '''<nowiki><a href="URL of target site" target="_blank">Anchor Text</a> or <a href="URL of target site" target="new">Anchor Text</a></nowiki>''' and displays as this: [http://dummies.bloggertipsandtricks.com/2006/03/how-to-make-clickable-link.html Anchor Text]

====Alternative codes====

It's important to remember that various websites will have their own method of adding a hyperlink to a post. For example, this wiki does not use the HTML code shown above. Instead, hyperlinks are shown by placing a url in standard brackets and then simply typing the word you wish to display. It looks like this: '''<nowiki>[http://www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia]</nowiki>''' and displays as this: [http://www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia]. When working with various websites, take the time to figure out how each site supports hyperlinks.

=== The Link button ===
[[File:Links.jpg|thumb|Link button]]
The graphical user interface is a wonderful thing. Because of this, many blog sites don't require users to write HTML code. These sites offer a method of linking with the click of a button. This button is most often a graphic representation of a chain linked together.
To use this button, simply highlight the text you wish to link, click the link graphic and insert a url. If you want to remove a link from a word or set of words, highlight the text and click the broken chain graphic. This will remove the link.

=== Unambiguous linking ===
When incorporating hyperlinks into a blog post, make sure that any linked text leads to an obvious destination. Readers should always have a clear idea of where each link will take them. Ben Hunt from [http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/usability/clear-hyperlinks/ Web Design from Scratch] said, "To help users browse with confidence, web links should be absolutely clear and explicit." Ambiguous links may lead to a loss of credibility.

=== Contrast ===
Many blog sites or themes have a default color for hyperlinks. Blue is no longer the only option, but sometimes customization is impossible within a theme. If customization is possible, be sure to choose a color for hypertext that will stand out. Contrast is important so that users can tell which words are or are not links. According to Gary Swift of [http://www.designmatrix.com/index.html DesignMatriX.com], "Choose hyperlink (anchor) colors that contrast against the normal text color, with unvisited links brighter (hotter) than visited links. Within a set of related hypertext documents, use these link colors consistently. For Web sites this generally means the entire site." <ref>Gary Swift</ref>

=== Menus ===
One option for incorporating links is to create a sidebar or menu on the page that leads to supporting information. When using [http://wordpress.com/ Wordpress] adding a menu is relatively simple depending on the theme. To find out if your theme supports menus, go to your blog's dashboard and go to '''Appearance --> Menus.''' Wordpress provides a [http://en.support.wordpress.com/menus/ tutorial] on how to customize the menu in various ways.

==How not to Link==

===Punctuation marks===
When highlighting a word or phrase to link, make sure to exclude all punctuation marks.

===Headlines===

Ideally, [[Headers and Sub-headers| headlines and sub-headers]] should stand on their own. It is both distracting and unnecessary to link the title to another page.

=== Long phrases ===
To put it simply, long, hyperlinked phrases do not get read. Whether the phrase is underlined or displayed in a darker color, it is difficult to read a full sentence that contains a hyperlink. Remember that users don't read, [http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Scan-ability they scan]. Stick with 1-2 words or the title of whatever you're referencing. [http://www.asdfsdfreresdferer.com/ If you're link looks anything like this, there's good change that you're doing it wrong. This link is much too long and leads to nothing.]

===Labels===

Hyperlinks should not show up as labels that simply point to content. "Click here" or "Additional information" is ambiguous and does not provide any useful information for the reader.[http://jimthatcher.com/news-061607.htm Click here for more information about this common error!]

===Broken links===

This concept is relatively self-explanatory, but it is nevertheless a common mistake. Be careful to check the destination of each link before publishing a post. Broken links frustrate the readers and can damage the credibility of the writer.

==Notes==
<references/>

==References==

#[http://kb.weebly.com/anchor-links.html Anchor Links]. ''Weebly'' Web. 10 April 2013
# Carroll, Brian. (2010). ''[http://www.scribd.com/doc/64429015/Writing-for-Digital-Media Writing for Digital Media]''. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
# [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Cheatsheet Help: Cheatsheet.] ''Wikipedia.'' 30 March 2013. Web. 3 April 2013
# [http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp HTML Links.] ''w3Schools'' Web. 2 April 2013
# Hunt, Ben. [http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/usability/clear-hyperlinks/ Clear Web Hyperlinks] ''Web Design from Scratch''. Web. 10 April 2013
# Johnson, Thomas J. and Kaye, Barbara K. "Cruising is Believing?" Comparing Internet and Traditional Sources on Media Credibility Measures," ''Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly'', 75,(1998): 325-40
# Kyrnin, Jennifer. [http://webdesign.about.com/od/beginningtutorials/qt/external-links.htm Why and How to Use External Links.] ''About.com'' Web. 1 April 2013
# Munroe, Lee. [http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/02/13/the-definitive-guide-to-styling-web-links/ The Definitive Guide To Styling Web Links.] ''Smashing Magazine'' 13 February, 2013. Web. 1 April 2013
# [http://en.support.wordpress.com/menus/ Support: Custom Menus.] ''Wordpress'' Web. 2 April 2013
# Swift, Gary. [http://www.designmatrix.com/pl/cyberpl/www/clc.html Consistent Link Colors.] ''DesignMatriX'' 22 September, 2012. Web. 2 April 2013
# Thatcher, James. [http://jimthatcher.com/news-061607.htm Click Here and Other Link Text.] ''Jim Thatcher.'' 2 May 2011. Web. 3 April 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Themes|Themes]]
*[[Categorizing Posts|Categorizing Posts]]
*[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headers and Sub-headers]]
*[[Lists|Lists]]

[[Category:New Media]]

File:Header words sample.gif

2013-05-03T07:41:46Z

AmyRehner:

Headers and Sub-headers

2013-05-03T07:41:25Z

AmyRehner: Add Image

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

The header and sub header should always be used wisely, keeping in mind the goals and vision of the blog and its design.
[[File:header_words_sample.gif|thumb|upright=1]]

==Why create it? ==
=== Organization ===
Headings and subheadings are a visual representation of how information is organized, and tells the reader what is in each section.

=== Scanability ===
Online readers are not very patient. A website has approximately three seconds to download properly and engage the viewer. <ref> Carroll, Brian. Writing for digital media. Routledge, 2010.</ref> Your headline is the first impression you make on a reader. Without a captivating header and sub header that will turn a browser into a reader, the rest of the content might be irrelevant.<ref>"Page Titles, Headlines, and Subheaders, OH MY!" Writing Spaces. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2013. <http://writingspaces.org/wwsg/page-titles-headlines-subheaders>.</ref> Sub-headers will make blog posts more readable. They allow readers to get a quick idea on what subjects you’re tackling and allow them to skip to the topics the readers are interested in.

==How to create it? ==
===Brevity ===
Both the heading and subheading should be short and straight forward. Use clarity and not creativity. Subheadings should be explanatory, pulling key words from the post. This will allow the reader to have an idea of what is coming up ahead.

===Parallelism ===
When crating headers and sub headers the text, font, and sizes should be consistent. Headers should have a bigger text than a sub header. Continue to use the same font throughout the header and sub header. If your first sub header is in italics, the next sub header should be italics as well. Headers should begin the same way. If the first header starts with “The”, the rest of the headers should also begin with “The”.

==References==
<references>
Carroll, Brian. Writing for digital media. Routledge, 2010.

Fishman, Hirsch. "10 Tips for Improving Your Titles and Sub-Headers." Addicott Web RSS. N.p., 09 June 2009. Web. 04 Apr. 2013.

"Headings & Subheadings." Sophia. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2013.

"Page Titles, Headlines, and Subheaders, OH MY!" Writing Spaces. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2013.

"What Is a Blog Header?" About.com Blogging. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2013.

</references>

==See Also==
*[[Themes|Themes]]
*[[Categorizing Posts|Categorizing Posts]]
*[[Lists|Lists]]
*[[Links|Links]]

[[Category:New Media]]

File:Triangle.gif

2013-05-03T07:31:39Z

AmyRehner:

Research Methods

2013-05-03T07:31:13Z

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Research is the process of gathering information, evaluating it, and applying it to a question or problem.<ref>http://guides.maconstate.edu/research</ref> When writing for digital media, research allows writers to narrow their focus. Having a narrow focus makes a blog more interesting and the writer an expert on the topic. Web searches on [http://www.google.com Google] and [http://www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia] allow blog writers to gather more information on their selected topic, discover what other bloggers have already written, and gain more insight on their targeted audience. Do not limit research to online sources, articles, books, and scholarly journals can also be useful sources of information.

[[File:triangle.gif|thumb|upright=1|]]

==Gather information<ref> Carroll, 16</ref>==
Writing about a specific [[Choosing Your Topic|topic]] does not automatically make a person an expert in the field. Initially, conducting very broad web searches on a specific topic will generate a great deal of information. It is best to browse through these websites to get a general overview of the topic. When writing a blog it is important to consider the specific purpose of the writing.<ref>Carroll, 16</ref> After gaining a general overview of the topic, the next step is selecting a specific aspect or view point on the topic to write about. The more focused the topic the more interesting the blog will be.

==What others have already written==
Review the information that other writers for digital media have written on that specific topic. No one wants to read the same thing twice. When reviewing others' writings on a specific subject, look for ways to add to what has been written, present an opposing position to what has been written, or conceptualize an entirely new perspective on the subject. Researching a specific topic in great depth allows the writer to find their own unique niche on that subject. Research allows the writer to narrow their focus even more- giving them an advantage to be even more of an expert in that field.

==Gain insight on the targeted audience<ref> Carroll, 101</ref>==
Researching blogs with similar focus will give the writer a better understanding of their intended [[audience]]. When writing a blog it is important to be aware of the intended audiences occupational categories, demographics, gender,culture, and age. <ref>Carroll, 101</ref> Brian Carroll states, " Think about the kind of sites, publications and documents your audience is accustomed to reading". <ref>Carroll, 101</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>
==References==
#Carroll, Brian. "Writing for Digital Media." Routledge; New York, 2010.*
#Lucas, Gerald R., Dr. "Choosing a Blog Topic." LitMUSE. N.p., 4 Feb. 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. <http://litmuse.net/resources/digital-media/choosing-a-blog-topic>.
#Williams, Ann. "The Research Process: Step-by-Step Tags: Advanced, Apa, Chicago, Citations, Composition, Critical Thinking, English, General, History, Interdisciplinary, Learning Support, Mla, Mscc, Plagiarism, Primary Sources, Reference, Writing ." LibGuides at Macon State College. N.p., 4 Apr. 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. <http://guides.maconstate.edu/research>.

==See Also==
*[[Narrowcasting]]
*[[Choosing Your Topic]]
*[[Participation]]
*[[Audience]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Proofreading

2013-05-03T07:27:32Z

AmyRehner: Deleted Empty Notes section

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

Proofreading [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proofreading] is reviewing and rereading a document looking for errors and is essential for all writing. It creates a seamless document by correcting all errors. When proofreading look for typos [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/typo], misspelled words, punctuation and grammar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_grammar] mistakes, and any other problems within the document. Having a flawless, error free, document gives creditably and is easier for the audience [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audience] to read and understand.

= Why Proofreading is Important =

While content is important, readers base their judgment on the document's appearance. Careless errors are distracting to readers. It is important to pay attention to details because it helps make a good impression overall. It is better to work with a definite plan that helps search for specific kinds of errors rather than quickly glancing over the document. When quickly glancing over a document, it is easy to overlook many errors.

= Checklist =
When proofreading, first put the document aside for a few hours, days, or weeks. This allows for a fresh look at the document to see what is really on the page. Find a quite place to work. Read slow, and read every word. Read aloud. By following a proofreading checklist, it is easier to find common errors [http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/561/02/]. Proofread for only one kind of error at a time.

==Spelling==
Look for misspelled words. Using a spell checker [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spell_checker] will find most errors and typos, but not all. It is important not to only rely on spell checker but to also review and reread your document. Spell checkers do not always correct homophones [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophones](i.e. their, they're, there), words used incorrectly,as well as and/or contractions [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contraction_(grammar)](i.e. don't, won't, can't).

==Punctuation==
Punctuation [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuation] is not always checked with the spell checker. When rereading your document, look for punctuation errors. This includes periods [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Period_(punctuation)], commas [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma], colons [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colon_(punctuation)], semicolons [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semicolon], quotations [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quotation_mark] and the correct punctuation when citing sources.

==Content==
When proofreading, be sure to also pay attention to the content. Check for clarity, organization, variation of sentence structure, and word choice. Also, check for correct grammar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_grammar]. Check your document to make sure your tenses [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenses] are consistent (past, first-person, present). Be sure to stay within the same format throughout (MLA, APA, etc.). Also, pay close attention to the way the document is laid out (margins and fonts).

=Proofread Again=
It does not hurt to reread your document many times looking for errors and for ways to improve it. It is easy to overlook an error or mistake. However, close reexamination ensures that fewer errors will make it to the final text, lending to more credibility to the author. Consider having a peer or professor look over the document as well.

= External Links =
#Carrol, Brian. (2010).[http://bookmoving.com/book/writing-digital-media_3430.html ''Writing for Digital Media'']. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#Lucas, Gerald. (1997).[http://litmuse.net/resources/writing/editors-checklist "Editor's Checklist"]. http://litmuse.net/resources/writing/editors-checklist. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#[http://www.maconstate.edu/library/citing.aspx "Macon State College Library's Guide to Citing Sources"] Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#Olson, Gary. (1999).[http://lilt.ilstu.edu/golson/punctuation/ "Punctuation Made Simple"]. http://lilt.ilstu.edu/golson/punctuation/. College of the Arts and Sciences at Illinois State University. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#Welcome to the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL). (2013).[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ "The Purdue Online Writing Lab"].http://owl.english.purdue.edu/. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#[http://www.merriam-webster.com/mw/table/proofrea.htm "Proofreaders' Marks"]. (2013). Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online.http://www.merriam-webster.com/mw/table/proofrea.htm. Retrieved 28 March 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]
*[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]
*[[Brevity|Brevity]]
*[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Proofreading

2013-05-03T07:26:56Z

AmyRehner: Activated and cited links

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

Proofreading [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proofreading] is reviewing and rereading a document looking for errors and is essential for all writing. It creates a seamless document by correcting all errors. When proofreading look for typos [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/typo], misspelled words, punctuation and grammar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_grammar] mistakes, and any other problems within the document. Having a flawless, error free, document gives creditably and is easier for the audience [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audience] to read and understand.

= Why Proofreading is Important =

While content is important, readers base their judgment on the document's appearance. Careless errors are distracting to readers. It is important to pay attention to details because it helps make a good impression overall. It is better to work with a definite plan that helps search for specific kinds of errors rather than quickly glancing over the document. When quickly glancing over a document, it is easy to overlook many errors.

= Checklist =
When proofreading, first put the document aside for a few hours, days, or weeks. This allows for a fresh look at the document to see what is really on the page. Find a quite place to work. Read slow, and read every word. Read aloud. By following a proofreading checklist, it is easier to find common errors [http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/561/02/]. Proofread for only one kind of error at a time.

==Spelling==
Look for misspelled words. Using a spell checker [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spell_checker] will find most errors and typos, but not all. It is important not to only rely on spell checker but to also review and reread your document. Spell checkers do not always correct homophones [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophones](i.e. their, they're, there), words used incorrectly,as well as and/or contractions [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contraction_(grammar)](i.e. don't, won't, can't).

==Punctuation==
Punctuation [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuation] is not always checked with the spell checker. When rereading your document, look for punctuation errors. This includes periods [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Period_(punctuation)], commas [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma], colons [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colon_(punctuation)], semicolons [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semicolon], quotations [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quotation_mark] and the correct punctuation when citing sources.

==Content==
When proofreading, be sure to also pay attention to the content. Check for clarity, organization, variation of sentence structure, and word choice. Also, check for correct grammar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_grammar]. Check your document to make sure your tenses [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenses] are consistent (past, first-person, present). Be sure to stay within the same format throughout (MLA, APA, etc.). Also, pay close attention to the way the document is laid out (margins and fonts).

=Proofread Again=
It does not hurt to reread your document many times looking for errors and for ways to improve it. It is easy to overlook an error or mistake. However, close reexamination ensures that fewer errors will make it to the final text, lending to more credibility to the author. Consider having a peer or professor look over the document as well.

== Notes ==
<references/>

= External Links =
#Carrol, Brian. (2010).[http://bookmoving.com/book/writing-digital-media_3430.html ''Writing for Digital Media'']. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#Lucas, Gerald. (1997).[http://litmuse.net/resources/writing/editors-checklist "Editor's Checklist"]. http://litmuse.net/resources/writing/editors-checklist. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#[http://www.maconstate.edu/library/citing.aspx "Macon State College Library's Guide to Citing Sources"] Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#Olson, Gary. (1999).[http://lilt.ilstu.edu/golson/punctuation/ "Punctuation Made Simple"]. http://lilt.ilstu.edu/golson/punctuation/. College of the Arts and Sciences at Illinois State University. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#Welcome to the Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL). (2013).[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/ "The Purdue Online Writing Lab"].http://owl.english.purdue.edu/. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
#[http://www.merriam-webster.com/mw/table/proofrea.htm "Proofreaders' Marks"]. (2013). Dictionary and Thesaurus - Merriam-Webster Online.http://www.merriam-webster.com/mw/table/proofrea.htm. Retrieved 28 March 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]
*[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]
*[[Brevity|Brevity]]
*[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Categorizing Posts

2013-05-03T07:10:38Z

AmyRehner: Add Notes section with references

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

A blog is organized and structured using categories<ref>https://managewp.com/wordpress-categories-tags-seo</ref> and tags<ref>http://www.tumblr.com/docs/en/using_tags</ref>. Readers searching for information written on a broad topic will benefit more from categories. Those readers looking for a more specific topic will find tags to be more useful because they narrow down the information to a particular topic. Categories and tags will help readers navigate a blog's content easily to find the information they are looking for.

[[Image:Categories-Tags.jpg|thumb|right|alt Frontline.com]]

== Categories ==

[http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2005/09/09/categories-versus-tags-whats-the-difference-and-which-one/ Categories] give readers a broad overview of what kind of content a blog holds so that they can decide if that blog holds the right information for them. When choosing a category for a post, bloggers need to consider the readers that will visit their blog and what needs they might have. Bloggers must find the balance of being specific with a category so that the kind of information it holds is clear without being too broad. Readers must be able to look at categories within a blog and know right away if they are in the right place. One thing bloggers must be cautious about when choosing a category is that they have more than one post that can fit under that category. Displaying a single post within a category will give the readers the impression that the blogger does not know a lot about that subject. On the other hand a blogger doesn't want to make a category so strong and filled with too much information that it will need it's own blog site.

== Tags ==

Tags are similar to [http://weblogs.about.com/od/partsofablog/qt/CategoriesOvrvw.htm/ "keywords"] and help readers find a specific topic within a category. Tags help readers identify specific information within a particular post. Posts can have many tags which allow them to be categorized with other posts to make it easier for readers to navigate a blog. A tag name must be specific. For example, if a blog post is about "How to make home made pizza," you would put it under a "cooking" category but one of the tags would be "pizza." Readers can find the tag links under each post. By clicking on the tag links, readers will be taken to an archive where every post related to that tag can be found.

== Descriptive Categories ==

Categories should [http://wiredimpact.com/blog/making-blog-categories-more-useful/ describe] to readers what content they hold without a huge explanation. With each category a blogger creates they must keep in mind the overall [[Narrowcasting|focus]] of their blog and what their readers are looking for. By choosing the right category, you can make it obvious to readers what kind of posts your blog holds. Bloggers have the difficult task of finding the happy medium between a category being too broad or too specific in their description. If the category is too specific it leaves the reader with less choices. However, if it is too broad it will make it difficult for a reader to find what they are looking for and they will move on. When bloggers are brainstorming about how to describe their categories they should keep in mind how it will appear in a search engine. A blog's categories and tags will help readers find the blog they are looking for when using search engines.

==Notes==
<references/>

== References ==

1. Carroll, Brian. (2010). Writing for Digital Media. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 4 April 2013.

2. [http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2005/09/09/categories-versus-tags-whats-the-difference-and-which-one/ Categories versus Tags] Lorelle On WordPress Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

3. [http://wiredimpact.com/blog/making-blog-categories-more-useful/ Making Blog Categories More Useful] Wired Impact Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

4. [http://weblogs.about.com/od/partsofablog/qt/CategoriesOvrvw.htm/ An Overview of Blog categories] About.com Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

5. [http://frontlinecopy.com/2013/02/how-to-use-categories-tags-keywords-in-your-green-business-blog/ How to use categories, tags & keywords in your green business blog] Frontlinecopy.com Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Themes|Themes]]
*[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headers and Sub-headers]]
*[[Lists|Lists]]
*[[Links|Links]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Participation

2013-05-03T07:06:25Z

AmyRehner: /* References */ numbered refs

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

When starting a blog, it is important to know how to encourage participation with not only other bloggers, but the readers. Short sentences, active voice, and presenting information in a [http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Inverted_Pyramid pyramid format] help to convey content clearly to readers<ref group=>Carroll, 24</ref>. However, participation is more than just writing in a clean, [http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Brevity concise] manner. Blog authors must understand that a blog does not operate in a vacuum, but instead is a piece of a vast branching network.

== Interact with Other Bloggers ==
Blog readers, indeed most web users, do not just randomly access content on the internet. Users are searching for specific information when they get on the web, and likely will only find blogs via a search engine by typing in key words[http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7323316]<ref group=>Lawrence, Sides, Farrell. "Self-Segregation or Deliberation? Blog Readership, Participation, and Polarization in American Politics."</ref>. Most likely, users happen upon blogs via another blog they go to for specific information that has a blog hyperlinked[http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7323316]<ref group=>Lawrence, Sides, Farrell. "Self-Segregation or Deliberation? Blog Readership, Participation, and Polarization in American Politics."</ref>. In this respect, it is important that bloggers consider interacting with blogs that share a similar niche [[Choosing Your Topic|topic]]. One way to participate with other bloggers is to search for blogs with a similar topic, then add it to a blogroll[http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/04/blogs-need-comments/]<ref group=>Constine. "Do Blogs Need Comment Reels? Yes, and Here's How."</ref>. Providing links to these blogs in posts may also encourage the blogger to respond. Consider following and commenting on other blogs. These comments should be thoughtful and follow proper etiquette[http://financialbloggerconference.com/a-primer-on-blogging-etiquette]<ref group=>Post. "A Primer on Blogging Etiquette."</ref>.

[[File:TwitWid.png|thumb|upright=.6|Twitter Widget (Verizon Forum)]]
== Social Media Widgets ==
Having social media share widgets will help spread the blog’s content throughout the web. When users click the share button, the blog post will show up in their status updates, where the blog’s content will be seen by the reader’s friends and followers. Websites that enable a Twitter sharing generate up to seven times more mentions than websites that do not[http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220720#ixzz2P218v72T]<ref group=>Handley. "How to Increase Social Sharing to Generate More Leads."</ref>. To activate social media share buttons, go to the widgets area of your dashboard. Consider, too, providing widgets to your social networking sites. This allows the reader to connect with you on those sites, and gives a sense that the blog author is accessible.

== Enable Comments ==
[[File:wordpress_comment_form.png|thumb|upright=1.3| [http://olykrap.com Wordpress Comment Form]]]

Enabling comments on your blog shows readers that you value their participation[http://digitallearning.macfound.org/atf/cf/%7B7E45C7E0-A3E0-4B89-AC9C-E807E1B0AE4E%7D/JENKINS_WHITE_PAPER.PDF]<ref group=>Jenkins, White. "Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century."</ref>. Replying to readers’ comments also helps to engage readers. Consider adding a subscribe to comments button, so readers will receive email notifications of new comments.
*“Comments keep bloggers humble, honest, accurate, and in touch with their audience.” - Josh Constine[http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/04/blogs-need-comments/]<ref group=>Constine. "Do Blogs Need Comment Reels? Yes, and Here's How."</ref>
Having most recent comments appear at the top of the comment section makes it easier for readers to access newer comments [http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/wordpress/hacks-user-interactivity/ 9 WordPress Hacks to Encourage User Interactivity]<ref group=>Snell. "9 WordPress Hacks to Encourage User Interactivity."</ref>.

== Notes ==
<references/>

== References ==
#Carroll, Brian. "Writing for Digital Media." Routledge; New York, 2010.
#Constine, Josh. [http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/04/blogs-need-comments/ Do Blogs Need Comment Reels? Yes, and Here's How.] ''TechCrunch.'' January 4, 2012. Web. March 31, 2013
#Handley, Ann. [http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220720#ixzz2P218v72T How to Increase Social Sharing to Generate More Leads.] ''Entrepreneur.'' December 2011. Web. March 30, 2013
#Jenkins, Henry. [http://digitallearning.macfound.org/atf/cf/%7B7E45C7E0-A3E0-4B89-AC9C-E807E1B0AE4E%7D/JENKINS_WHITE_PAPER.PDF Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century.] ''Building the Field of Media and Learning.'' MacArthur Foundation. 2006. Web. April 11, 2013
#Lawrence, Eric; Sides, J.; Farrell, H. [http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7323316 Self-Segregation or Deliberation? Blog Readership, Participation, and Polarization in American Politics.] ''Perspectives on Politics.'' 8:1. p. 141-157. March 2010. Web. April 11, 2013.
#Post, Emily. [http://financialbloggerconference.com/a-primer-on-blogging-etiquette A Primer on Blogging Etiquette.] ''Financial Blogger Conference''. December 5, 2012. Web. 31 March 2013.
#Snell, Steven. [http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/wordpress/hacks-user-interactivity/ 9 WordPress Hacks to Encourage User Interactivity]. ''Vandalay Design.'' August 24, 2009. Web. 31 March 2013.

== See Also ==
*[[Narrowcasting]]
*[http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Choosing_Your_Topic Choosing Your Topic]
*[http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Research_Methods Research Methods]
*[http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Audience Audience]

[[Category:New Media]]

Choosing Your Topic

2013-05-03T07:05:30Z

AmyRehner: /* References */ numbered refs

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

Choosing a worthy topic is essential to the success of the overall blog <ref group=>Carroll, 140</ref><ref group=>Rehner, "Choosing Your Blog Topic"</ref>. A topic expresses one essential idea within writing and unifies each successive post <ref group=>Loos, "What is a Topic?"</ref>. At first, a specific topic may seem to confine creativity, but focusing the topic actually provides endless creative possibilities <ref group=>Trunk, "Blogs Without Topics are a Waste of Time"</ref>. A focused topic encourages the audience to engage more actively and interact as a part of a blog community <ref group=>Gardner,"Niche Blogging"</ref>, ultimately enhancing the popularity of the blog. Creating a successful blog topic can take a significant amount of forethought and preparation and encompasses brainstorming, focus, assessment, and finalization.

[[File:Technology-blogs.png|thumb|upright=3| http://www.bloggingways.net/2013/01/top-10-blog-topics-make-more-money-2013.html]]

== Brainstorm==
Brainstorming transforms creativity into [http://library.deerfield.edu/research_guides/us_history/topic_worksheet.pdf organizational thought]. Individual brainstorming encourages writers to pour out their ideas in order to focus and reorganize them into a cohesive concept through personalization and brainstorming methods<ref group=>Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"</ref>.

===Personalize It===
#Write down personal interests, dislikes, and topics that appeal to you. With a little introspection you can analyze and learn about yourself, your disciplines or “something that helps define your personality” <ref group=>Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"</ref> and your passions.
#Make sure you must have experience involving your topic ideas in order to establish credibility within your writing. Consider your personal experiences and how they have shaped who you are and your writing style, your opinions, as well as your qualifications.
#Use your personal character <ref group=>Archuleta, "How to Write a Personal Statement"</ref> to your advantage when brainstorming in order to allow the audience to understand a little more about you. This transparency will not only make you relatable online, but will also help identify your specific [[Audience]] and blogging community.

===Use a Method===
With so many possible topics to consider, it may be beneficial to use brainstorming methods in order to produce an organized and manageable view of your ideas. These methods allow you to break down unmanageable and overwhelming ideas into their essential parts.

*Mind Mapping
This [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_concept_mapping_and_mind_mapping_software method] begins with a central idea and builds outward, incorporating all possible related topic ideas. The Mind Mapping <ref group=>Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"</ref> Method encourages you to “get out of the realm of words alone and see how different spatial representations might help you see the relationships among your ideas" <ref group=>The Writing Center, "Brainstorming"</ref>.

[[File:MindMap.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35| http://blog.iqmatrix.com/how-to-mind-map]]

*Free Writing
Free Writing <ref group=>Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"</ref> is another useful method, especially when facing writer’s block, where writing starts and it does not stop. This method encourages continual thought through nonsensical ideas and pure imagination.

*Thinking Outside the Box
Thinking Outside the Box <ref group=>Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"</ref> is a technique where you try to understand a concept from a different perspective and then relate it back to your initial idea. For example, imagine for a moment that you are writing about your own culture. Think of all the different possible meanings for culture, such as a bacterial culture or referring to a refined group of people, and try to relate those concepts back to your original topic. Often, this method gives you a different perspective than you may have originally identified.

==Focus the Niche==
When a topic is narrowed and focused<ref group=>Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"</ref> into a niche, the writer can express more expertise on the subject, connect with more readers and, essentially, attract like-minded people. In order to find your blog niche, focus on your blog’s purpose, differentiation and inspiration.

===Plan the Purpose===
Your blog’s purpose<ref group=>Gunelius, "Top 10 Reasons to Start a Blog"</ref> should focus the [[Readability|Writing Style]] of the blog subsequently helping to identify your [[Audience]]. Some purposes might include the following:
* Educate yourself
* Educate others
* [[Research Methods|Research]] a particular topic
* Learn through communicative discussion and debate
* Help other people with similar problems
* Convince others to support a particular cause
* Promote a particular cause
* Network with like-minded people
* Establish yourself within your profession
* Earn a profit

===Differentiate the Topic===
Another aspect to consider in narrowing your topic is how you will differentiate it from similar blogs.

# Use your personal experiences and character traits to tailor the topic in a way that allows you to express yourself. If you consider yourself a comedian, narrow your topic to express your comedic side. Or, if you are the analytical type, focus your topic so that others can sense that quality within your blog title.
#Use different perspectives, such as journalistic perspectives<ref group=>The Writing Center, "Brainstorming"</ref> and geographical references<ref group=>Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"</ref>.
#Identify a virginal idea or an area of interest where there is a blog deficit.

===Look for Inspiration===
Considering your inspirations for your blog topic can assist when further focusing the topic. These inspirations could include the following:
*Other blogs
*Articles
*[[Research Method|Research| resources
*Personal experiences

==Assess the Idea==
Once a blog topic idea is identified, assess the popularity and originality of the idea to be certain of its effectiveness.

===Ensure the Popularity===
There are several ways to assess the potential popularity <ref group=>Rowse, "How to Choose a Niche Topic for your Blog"</ref>of the topic idea
# Search for blogs with similar ideas and investigate their popularity.
# Look up books or journal articles with similar topics in online stores, such as [http://www.amazon.com Amazon] or [http://www.barnesandnoble.com Barnes and Noble] and assess the comments and overall popularity of the books.
# Use the “For Dummies” test <ref group=>Morrow, "21 Warning Signs"</ref>. Try to find a reference for your topic in the [http://www.dummies.com “For Dummies” book brand]. If such a book exists, the topic is already popular and is a great place to begin your blog topic search.

===Ensure the Originality===
Though the idea may be popular, ensuring the originality of the idea will be an important aspect of your topic choice that will ultimately mean success or failure. Ask yourself the following questions:
# Is your topic idea creative and unique enough to set itself apart from other blogs with similar themes?
# Is it an unexplored aspect of the overall topic that will give you a fresh and energizing niche?
# Does it present an intriguing or contradictory viewpoint can reinvent an overexposed topic idea?

==Finalizing the Topic==
Once you’ve ensured success in choosing an interesting blog topic through focus and assessment, the topic is ready for finalization, requiring a topic title and possibly a subtitle.

===Creating the Title===
When creating the topic title <ref group=>Lively, "How to Choose Blog Topics"</ref> or [[Headers and Sub-headers|subtitle]] ask the following questions:
*Is the title overt and easily readable?
*Can the viewer quickly grasp the topic idea by simply reading the title?
*Does the narrative of the topic match the title’s observable intent?
**A first person narrative suggests sharing your personal views while a third person narrative suggests a more educational and professional approach. For example, adding the first person –ing to the beginning of the title “Discovering a Passion” gives the reader the impression that the writer will incorporate personal experiences and opinions into the blog, while the third person “Discover a Passion” suggests the blog’s intent is to educate through expertise.
*Does the title and subtitle have an angle- something memorable, catchy or fun?

=Get Started=
The hardest part of choosing your blog topic is the act of getting started <ref group=>Starak, "How to Choose the Right Blog Topic"</ref>. Topic ideas may not seem perfect until you begin brainstorming and expressing your ideas. Most importantly, use your instincts, interests and personality to organize and focus your topic idea.

== Notes ==
<references/>

== References ==
#Archuleta, Elizabeth. [http://www.unm.edu/~pre/law/archuleta.htm "How to Write a Personal Statement."] UNM - New Mexico's Flagship University | The University of New Mexico. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
#Carroll, Brian. [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/041599201X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=humanindex-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=041599201X "Writing for Digital Media."] Routledge; New York, 2010.
#Gardner, Brian. [http://www.briangardner.com/niche-blogging "Why Niche Blogging is Better than General Blogging."] Brian Gardner // Starbucks Addict Since 1974. N.p., 7 Mar. 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
#Gunelius, Susan. [http://weblogs.about.com/od/startingablog/tp/Top-Ten-Reasons-to-Blog.htm "Start a Blog-Top 10 Reasons to Start a Blog."] About.com Blogging. N.p., 2013. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
#Lively, Jess. [http://jesslively.com/how-to-choose-blog-topics/ "How to Choose Blog Topics."] Jess Lively. N.p., 5 Feb. 2013. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
#Loos, Eugene E. [http://www-01.sil.org/linguistics/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/WhatIsATopic.htm "What is a Topic?" ] 2004. Web. April 5, 2013.
#Lucas, Gerald. [http://litmuse.net/resources/digital-media/choosing-a-blog-topic/ "Choosing a blog topic."] 2013. Web. March 29, 2013.
#Mind Tools Ltd. [http://www.mindtools.com/brainstm.html "Brainstorming" ] 2013. Web. March 31, 2013.
#Morrow, Jon. [http://boostblogtraffic.com/blog-topic/ "21 Warning Signs You Chose the Wrong Topic for Your Blog."] Boost Blog Traffic. N.p., 13 Apr. 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
#Rehner, Amy. [http://choosingatopic.wordpress.com "Choosing Your Blog Topic."] March 2013. Web. March 29, 2013.
#Rowse, Darren. [http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/15/how-to-choose-a-niche-topic-for-your-blog/ "How to Choose a Niche Topic for your Blog."] Blogging for Beginners. N.p., 15 Feb. 2006. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
#Starak, Yaro. [http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/newsletters/how-to-choose-the-right-blog-topic "How to Choose the Right Blog Topic."] Blog Tips Newsletter. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
#The Writing Center. [http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/brainstorming/ "Brainstorming"] 2013. Web. March 31, 2013.
#Trunk, Penelope. [http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/10/06/blogs-without-topics-are-a-waste-of-time/ "Blogs without topics are a waste of time | Penelope Trunk Blog."] Get Career Advice from Penelope Trunk. N.p., 6 Oct. 2009. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Narrowcasting]]
*[[Research Methods]]
*[[Participation]]
*[[Audience]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Proofreading

2013-05-03T07:03:08Z

AmyRehner: Grammar & formatting

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

Proofreading [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proofreading] is reviewing and rereading a document looking for errors and is essential for all writing. It creates a seamless document by correcting all errors. When proofreading look for typos [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/typo], misspelled words, punctuation and grammar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_grammar] mistakes, and any other problems within the document. Having a flawless, error free, document gives creditably and is easier for the audience [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audience] to read and understand.

= Why Proofreading is Important =

While content is important, readers base their judgment on the document's appearance. Careless errors are distracting to readers. It is important to pay attention to details because it helps make a good impression overall. It is better to work with a definite plan that helps search for specific kinds of errors rather than quickly glancing over the document. When quickly glancing over a document, it is easy to overlook many errors.

= Checklist =
When proofreading, first put the document aside for a few hours, days, or weeks. This allows for a fresh look at the document to see what is really on the page. Find a quite place to work. Read slow, and read every word. Read aloud. By following a proofreading checklist, it is easier to find common errors [http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/561/02/]. Proofread for only one kind of error at a time.

==Spelling==
Look for misspelled words. Using a spell checker [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spell_checker] will find most errors and typos, but not all. It is important not to only rely on spell checker but to also review and reread your document. Spell checkers do not always correct homophones [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophones](i.e. their, they're, there), words used incorrectly,as well as and/or contractions [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contraction_(grammar)](i.e. don't, won't, can't).

==Punctuation==
Punctuation [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuation] is not always checked with the spell checker. When rereading your document, look for punctuation errors. This includes periods [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Period_(punctuation)], commas [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma], colons [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colon_(punctuation)], semicolons [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semicolon], quotations [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quotation_mark] and the correct punctuation when citing sources.

==Content==
When proofreading, be sure to also pay attention to the content. Check for clarity, organization, variation of sentence structure, and word choice. Also, check for correct grammar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_grammar]. Check your document to make sure your tenses [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenses] are consistent (past, first-person, present). Be sure to stay within the same format throughout (MLA, APA, etc.). Also, pay close attention to the way the document is laid out (margins and fonts).

=Proofread Again=
It does not hurt to reread your document many times looking for errors and for ways to improve it. It is easy to overlook an error or mistake. However, close reexamination ensures that fewer errors will make it to the final text, lending to more credibility to the author. Consider having a peer or professor look over the document as well.

== Notes ==
<references/>

= External Links =

[[Macon State College Library's Guide to Citing Sources]] [http://www.maconstate.edu/library/citing.aspx]

[[MGSC's Dr. Lucas' "Editor's Checklist"]] [http://litmuse.net/resources/writing/editors-checklist]

[[Punctuation Made Simple]] [http://lilt.ilstu.edu/golson/punctuation/]

[[The Purdue Online Writing Lab]] [http://owl.english.purdue.edu/]

[[Webster's Proofreader's Marks]] [http://www.merriam-webster.com/mw/table/proofrea.htm]

==See Also==
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]
*[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]
*[[Brevity|Brevity]]
*[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Inverted Pyramid

2013-05-03T06:50:55Z

AmyRehner: grammar & formatting

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

An inverted pyramid serves as a design standard of news delivery and technical writing. This design should serve as a guideline for students constructing a blog for the first time.

[[File:news_writing_inverted_pyramid2.jpg|200px|thumb|]]

=Organization=

#Place the most important information first using '''The 5 W's'''.
#Explanation or supporting details that make the headline and attention grabbing information true
#General details-These details will be the least likely to be read. In the event that these details are cut, the article should not suffer.

==Priority: The 5 W's==

According to the Purdue Online Writing Lab the 5 W's help the author determine the most important information. According to inverted pyramid style, these questions should be answered by the conclusion of the first paragraph.

*'''W'''ho? Well known names should be in the headline. Others may go in the first paragraph depending on the subject.
*'''W'''hat? Readers visit sites to discover current news or results of occurrences. Essentially the first paragraph or headline should answer the question, "What's happening?"
*'''W'''hen? Time is important to web journalism because news and data are ever changing. A reader should be able to tell the relevance of an article to his search without reading the full entry.
*'''W'''here? Location like time helps the reader determine relevance to his life. Someone is California may not necessarily want data or news from a study or an event in Florida.
*'''W'''hy? After reading a headline, a natural reaction from the site visitor will be "Why?" If this information is available, it is necessary to the beginning of the article. Often times readers surf the web for the "why" of a new law, murder, food recall, etc. Exclusion of this detail will cause a reader to go elsewhere and flag the site as uninformed.

=Purpose=

The inverted pyramid contributes to [[scan-ability]]. Placement of the most essential information at the beginning of an article or entry allows the reader to get what he needs without scrolling. Site visitors read less on the web than in print. Bloggers should implement the inverted pyramid to share need-to-know information quickly and retain frequent visitors. [http://webwisewording.com/Tips/front-load-your-writing/ Webwise Wording] says, "If they cannot quickly and easily assess your article for points of interest, they are likely to leave your webpage and go search for an alternative that is easier to skim."

= References =

#[http://webwisewording.com/Tips/front-load-your-writing/ Inverted Pyramid Style] Retrieved 2 April 2013.
#[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/04/ Purdue OWL: Journalism and Journalistic Writing] Retrieved 9 April 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]
*[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]
*[[Brevity|Brevity]]
*[[Proofreading|Proofreading]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Brevity

2013-05-03T06:43:53Z

AmyRehner: /* Writing for Brevity */ grammar

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

Brevity is essential for all writing. It forces the writer to be more intentional with their words and keeps readers from having to read through chunks of unneeded text.
=== Writing for Brevity ===
When writing for brevity, try to avoid "humbug and general vagueness"<ref>Carroll, 14</ref>. Orwell suggests that you do the following:

# Never use a long word where a short one will do.
# If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
# Never use a foreign phrase, scientific word or jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

Writers should always be brief, precise, and direct. When writing a word it should mean exactly what it intends, no more and no less. Always use the precise word that your writing requires. When writing for digital media, have a dictionary and thesaurus close at hand <ref>Carroll, 8</ref>.

== Notes==
<references/>

==References==
#Carrol, Brian. (2010).[http://bookmoving.com/book/writing-digital-media_3430.html ''Writing for Digital Media'']. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 28 March 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]
*[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]
*[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]
*[[Proofreading|Proofreading]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Scan-ability

2013-05-03T06:33:33Z

AmyRehner: /* Audio and video clips */ undo

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]
[[File:Banner-blindness-examples.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Scan-ability demonstrated in an eyetrack study, found in Jakob Nielsen's article about Banner Blindness]]
Scan-ability refers to the ability of readers to scan a text. Scan-ability and Readability are concepts that work together to encourage users to read your blog.

There are a number of different reasons why online readers scan first instead of read.<ref>Nielsen, "Why Web Users Scan Instead of Reading"</ref> Writers of digital media must pay special attention to scan-ability because readers of digital writing are known to be easily distracted, impatient, and unwilling to read huge blocks of text.

Scan-ability is crucial for digital writing because, without maintaining a good level of it, readers will not pay attention to your work.

==Layering content==
[[File:Scanability.jpg|thumb|upright=2.5|A visual representation of layering content on a [Http://www.wordpress.com Wordpress.com] blog]]
To make your blog scannable, layering content is a necessity. Brian Carroll says "layering is a response to the reality, the documented fact that Web users do not read."<ref>Carroll, 32</ref> Layering content involves working with text, the visual qualities of text, multimedia, and linking.
===Text===
====Headlines, subheads, and sub-subheads====
[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headlines, subheads, and sub-subheads]] draw the attention of readers to a body of text. Large headlines allow readers to scan the text, and smaller lines like subheads and sub-subheads are actually read by readers.

====One-sentence teasers and lead-ins====
Teasers exist to encourage readers to read more of your posts. According to David Doolin, "Teasers should be designed to compress the information on a webpage, without crowding it nor without annoying the reader."<ref>Doolin</ref> Teasers should be concise in order to work smoothly with the user's tendency to scan. Keep your teaser limited to one sentence.

====Brief summary paragraphs====
Digital writing needs to be concise to ensure that readers will read the entirety of the text. In addition to making sure you write with the [[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]] in mind, you should also stick to one idea per paragraph. Typically, users will move on from a paragraph if they are not impressed by the first few words. Using one idea per paragraph keeps your writing focused and maintains brevity.

----

===Text Visuals===
====Highlighted keywords====
Highlighted keywords encourage users to view similar posts via tags and other forms of [[Categorizing Posts|post categorization]]. Keywords can be tagged in a few different ways. Jakob Nielsen explains that "hypertext links serve as one form of highlighting; typeface variations and color are others."<ref>Nielsen, "How Users Read on the Web"</ref>

====Bulleted lists====
Posts organized with bulleted lists work at capturing the attention of readers while simultaneously converting large blocks of text into smaller and more manageable bits. Susan Gunelius suggests that writers of digital media, "Use lists whenever you can to break up long blocks of text."<ref>Gunelius, "7 Tips to Writing a Blog Post That's Scannable"</ref> Breaking down these larger posts encourages scanning.

----

===Multimedia===
====Graphics====
According to Susan Gunelius, images "can help to draw attention to a specific post, add color to your blog, and help with search engine optimization."<ref>Gunelius "7 Tips to Writing a Blog Post That's Scannable"</ref> Make sure to use high quality images. Original content is preferable, but credit outside sources if you use their graphics.

====Audio and video clips====
When including video and audio clips in layering of a blog post, they should not be very long. Brian Carroll writes, "Short clips usually are preferred . . . to minimize download times, to mitigate streaming interruptions, and because of interactors' punishingly short attention spans."<ref>Carroll, 42</ref> Photo slideshows also allow writers of digital media to include multimedia elements that aid in promoting scan-ability.

----

===Links===
====Related stories and links====
Writers of digital media are given much more freedom in promoting [[Interactivity|Interactivity]] through their writing. [[Links|Linking]] allows writers to connect their posts with others and encourages scan-ability by adding multiple layers to digital text. According to Brian Carroll, "Links . . . provide jumping-off points within [the text], and they can provide access to information throughout the web."<ref>Carroll, 36</ref> It is important to refrain from using too many links in posts or it will look unprofessional.

==Notes==
<references/>

==References==
#Carroll, Brian. (2010). ''[http://www.scribd.com/doc/64429015/Writing-for-Digital-Media Writing for Digital Media]''. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
#Doolin, David. (2009). [http://website-in-a-weekend.net/creating-content/writing-effective-teasers-inspiring-people-to-read-more/ Writing Effective Teasers]''. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
#Gunelius, Susan. [http://weblogs.about.com/od/writingablog/tp/ScannableBlogPostTips.htm 7 Tips to Writing a Blog Post That's Scannable ]. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
#Nielsen, Jakob. (1997). [http://www.nngroup.com/articles/how-users-read-on-the-web/ How Users Read on the Web]. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
#Nielsen, Jakob. (1997). [http://www.nngroup.com/articles/why-web-users-scan-instead-reading/ Why Web Users Scan Instead of Reading]. Retrieved 1 April 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]
*[[Brevity|Brevity]]
*[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]
*[[Proofreading|Proofreading]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Scan-ability

2013-05-03T06:32:57Z

AmyRehner: /* Audio and video clips */ link

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]
[[File:Banner-blindness-examples.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Scan-ability demonstrated in an eyetrack study, found in Jakob Nielsen's article about Banner Blindness]]
Scan-ability refers to the ability of readers to scan a text. Scan-ability and Readability are concepts that work together to encourage users to read your blog.

There are a number of different reasons why online readers scan first instead of read.<ref>Nielsen, "Why Web Users Scan Instead of Reading"</ref> Writers of digital media must pay special attention to scan-ability because readers of digital writing are known to be easily distracted, impatient, and unwilling to read huge blocks of text.

Scan-ability is crucial for digital writing because, without maintaining a good level of it, readers will not pay attention to your work.

==Layering content==
[[File:Scanability.jpg|thumb|upright=2.5|A visual representation of layering content on a [Http://www.wordpress.com Wordpress.com] blog]]
To make your blog scannable, layering content is a necessity. Brian Carroll says "layering is a response to the reality, the documented fact that Web users do not read."<ref>Carroll, 32</ref> Layering content involves working with text, the visual qualities of text, multimedia, and linking.
===Text===
====Headlines, subheads, and sub-subheads====
[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headlines, subheads, and sub-subheads]] draw the attention of readers to a body of text. Large headlines allow readers to scan the text, and smaller lines like subheads and sub-subheads are actually read by readers.

====One-sentence teasers and lead-ins====
Teasers exist to encourage readers to read more of your posts. According to David Doolin, "Teasers should be designed to compress the information on a webpage, without crowding it nor without annoying the reader."<ref>Doolin</ref> Teasers should be concise in order to work smoothly with the user's tendency to scan. Keep your teaser limited to one sentence.

====Brief summary paragraphs====
Digital writing needs to be concise to ensure that readers will read the entirety of the text. In addition to making sure you write with the [[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]] in mind, you should also stick to one idea per paragraph. Typically, users will move on from a paragraph if they are not impressed by the first few words. Using one idea per paragraph keeps your writing focused and maintains brevity.

----

===Text Visuals===
====Highlighted keywords====
Highlighted keywords encourage users to view similar posts via tags and other forms of [[Categorizing Posts|post categorization]]. Keywords can be tagged in a few different ways. Jakob Nielsen explains that "hypertext links serve as one form of highlighting; typeface variations and color are others."<ref>Nielsen, "How Users Read on the Web"</ref>

====Bulleted lists====
Posts organized with bulleted lists work at capturing the attention of readers while simultaneously converting large blocks of text into smaller and more manageable bits. Susan Gunelius suggests that writers of digital media, "Use lists whenever you can to break up long blocks of text."<ref>Gunelius, "7 Tips to Writing a Blog Post That's Scannable"</ref> Breaking down these larger posts encourages scanning.

----

===Multimedia===
====Graphics====
According to Susan Gunelius, images "can help to draw attention to a specific post, add color to your blog, and help with search engine optimization."<ref>Gunelius "7 Tips to Writing a Blog Post That's Scannable"</ref> Make sure to use high quality images. Original content is preferable, but credit outside sources if you use their graphics.

====Audio and video clips====
When including video and audio clips in layering of a blog post, they should not be very long. Brian Carroll writes, "Short clips usually are preferred . . . to minimize download times, to mitigate streaming interruptions, and because of interactors' punishingly short attention spans."<ref>Carroll, 42</ref> Photo slideshows also allow writers of digital media to include multimedia elements that aid in promoting [[scan-ability|scan-ability]].

----

===Links===
====Related stories and links====
Writers of digital media are given much more freedom in promoting [[Interactivity|Interactivity]] through their writing. [[Links|Linking]] allows writers to connect their posts with others and encourages scan-ability by adding multiple layers to digital text. According to Brian Carroll, "Links . . . provide jumping-off points within [the text], and they can provide access to information throughout the web."<ref>Carroll, 36</ref> It is important to refrain from using too many links in posts or it will look unprofessional.

==Notes==
<references/>

==References==
#Carroll, Brian. (2010). ''[http://www.scribd.com/doc/64429015/Writing-for-Digital-Media Writing for Digital Media]''. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
#Doolin, David. (2009). [http://website-in-a-weekend.net/creating-content/writing-effective-teasers-inspiring-people-to-read-more/ Writing Effective Teasers]''. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
#Gunelius, Susan. [http://weblogs.about.com/od/writingablog/tp/ScannableBlogPostTips.htm 7 Tips to Writing a Blog Post That's Scannable ]. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
#Nielsen, Jakob. (1997). [http://www.nngroup.com/articles/how-users-read-on-the-web/ How Users Read on the Web]. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
#Nielsen, Jakob. (1997). [http://www.nngroup.com/articles/why-web-users-scan-instead-reading/ Why Web Users Scan Instead of Reading]. Retrieved 1 April 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]
*[[Brevity|Brevity]]
*[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]
*[[Proofreading|Proofreading]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Foundational Writing Skills

2013-05-03T06:08:04Z

AmyRehner: Added Category

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]
[[File:Rubric.jpg|thumb|upright=2|[http://cl.ly/3c0u1Y2K3w3Z The Foundational Rubric] is based on basic writing skills]]
Before students begin working on their writing for digital media, it is necessary that they have a complete understanding of basic writing skills. The qualities found on [http://mca.maconstate.edu/faculty/lucas/ Dr. Gerald Lucas'] foundational writing rubric outline all the requirements of an acceptable fundamental understanding of writing for digital or print media. College bloggers in must demonstrate these skills in every facet of their writing online.

==Active==

Passive voice should be avoided when writing for a blog or any website. '''Active voice''' is when the subject of the sentence directly performs the action.

''Example of active voice:''

*Sally finished her blog entry.

''Example of passive voice:''

*The blog entry was finished by Sally.

To change a passive sentence to an active sentence, follow these steps<ref>Active/Passive Voice. ''Townson University's Online Writing Support''.</ref>:
*Move the passive sentence's subject into the active sentence's direct object slot.
*Remove the auxiliary verb be from the main verb and change main verb's form if needed.
*Place the passive sentence's object of the preposition by into the subject slot.

==Appropriate==
Appropriateness hinges on the writer's ability to address the needs of the user. [[Audience|Audience]] plays a key role in this category. Dr. Steven Hale suggests that "writing with a specific audience in mind will also give your [writing] more unity of purpose and style and will involve your reader more directly in your argument<ref>Hale, Steven</ref>."

==Aware==
When writing with '''awareness''' you should do the following:

*Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability

*Never plagiarize.

*Tell the story of the diversity and magnitude of the human experience boldly, even when it is unpopular to do so.

*Examine your own cultural values and avoid imposing those values on others.

*Avoid stereotyping by race, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, geography, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance or social status.

*Know your [[Audience]]

For more information on writing with awareness and the ethics of writing, whether it be for a blog, newspaper, or any other source of media, check out the (Society of Professional Journalist) [http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp SPJ Code of Ethics].

==Concrete==
If a blog is to meet the '''Concrete''' requirements it should have strong supporting evidence that is creditable and appropriate to the topic at hand.

The [http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp Society of Professional Journalists] suggests the following to help maintain strong supporting evidence when writing:

*Test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertent error.

*Identify sources whenever feasible. The public is entitled to as much information as possible on sources' reliability.

If your unsure of how to evaluate the credibility of a source then you should review the following wiki while on your quest to find credible sources: [http://www.wikihow.com/Evaluate-the-Credibility-of-a-Source Evaluate the Credibility of a Source ]

==Consistent==

The writing should be '''consistent''' meaning that sentences are balanced and free from variation; same structure throughout. Consistent writing makes it easy to follow and read a blog without difficultly.

*Use the same sentence structure throughout.

*Follow a format.

==Imaginative==

'''Imaginative''' writing shows creativity and inventiveness. Figurative language is used when appropriate. Imaginative writing will set your blog apart and make it unique.

*Avoid cliches and business-ese.

*Be creative.

==Precise and Direct==

Often times writers use vocabulary that is inflated or commonly used. Unfortunately, this creates the opportunity for misuse. A writer should be fully aware of the context and desired message. Using too many words or the wrong words to communicate is detrimental to a blogger's credibility and purpose. The use of precision ensures that your article conveys the correct message without confusing or overwhelming the audience.

Utilize a thesaurus and dictionary to achieve correct vocabulary for blog entries.

'''Example'''

''In lieu of'' flowers, please send a donation to X, Y, or Z charity.

''In light of'' the recent mistakes in the media, we've decided to withhold the names of suspects until identities are confirmed.

Here, '''in lieu of''' '''means instead of''' or '''in absence of'''. '''In light of''' means '''due to''' or '''because of'''. The two are not interchangeable. Unfortunately this mistake is often made with common phrases and words. As a blogger, be diligent in checking for precision in your writing. Lack of precision negates the act of fact checking.

==Presentable==
In order to make your writing '''presentable''', you must follow the guidelines of each assignment. Peter Giblett explains, "Being presentable is largely about being effective as a writer, but there is also an element of visual impact<ref>Giblett, Peter</ref>." Pay close attention to the visual appeal of your writing and focus on inspiring interest from your audience.

==Notes==
<references/>

==References==
#[http://www.towson.edu/ows/activepass.htm Active/Passive Voice]. ''Townson University's Online Writing Support''. Web. 1 May 2013.
#Carroll, Brian. (2010). [http://www.scribd.com/doc/64429015/Writing-for-Digital-Media Writing for Digital Media]. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
#[http://www.wikihow.com/Evaluate-the-Credibility-of-a-Source How to Evaluate the Credibility of a Source]. ''Wikihow''. Web. 1 May 2013.
#Giblett, Peter. [http://writinghood.com/writing/making-your-writing-presentable-and-cogent/ Making Your Writing Presentable and Cogent]. Web. 30 April 2013.
#Hale, Steven. [http://facstaff.gpc.edu/~shale/humanities/composition/handouts/audience.html Choosing and Writing for an Audience]. Web. 30 April 2013.
#[http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp SPJ Code of Ethics]. ''Society of Professional Journalist''. Web. 1 May 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]
*[[Brevity|Brevity]]
*[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]
*[[Proofreading|Proofreading]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Foundational Writing Skills

2013-05-03T06:06:47Z

AmyRehner: Opening statement & grammar

Blog Writing for College Students

2013-05-03T05:53:46Z

AmyRehner: /* Writing Style */ *links

Blogging is a platform that "democratiz[es] the means of production<ref> Boal, Augusto</ref>." [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusto_Boal Augusto Boal's] revolutionary text pertaining to his participatory theatre project, [http://mellonseminaremotions.wikispaces.com/file/view/Boal+Agusto-Theatre+of+the+Oppressed.pdf The Theatre of the Oppressed], explores methods that are relevant to how the Internet provides the platform, or stage, for decentralized content. So in this vein, blog writing requires attention to focus, organization, and writing style in order for the college student to thrive in the new media realm.

==Focus==
The planning stage of creating a blog begins by developing a focus. Developing a focus involves [[narrowcasting]]. Important aspects of narrowcasting include [[Choosing Your Topic|choosing a topic]], [[Research Methods|researching]], setting [[participation]] standards, and identifying a target [[audience]]. By choosing a focused topic, researching to establish authority, developing relevant means of participation for the interactive needs of the audience, and knowing the targeted audience the college student will be prepared to create blog content within a platform that will be most engaging. The best blogs are highly specific<ref>Carrol, 163</ref>. Devoting time to developing focus strengthens a blog's chance at thriving in the digital world.

===[[Narrowcasting|Narrowcasting]]===

Narrowcasting for blog writing involves aiming the focus of the blog to a highly specific audience. A blog's audience is inherently fragmented. To reach an audience effectively requires providing in-depth information and perspectives on very specific topics to attain and retain a niche audience. Understanding the importance of narrowcasting and how to implement these conventions will benefit the college blogger. By understanding the importance of structuring a blog around narrowcasting conventions, the college blogger will be well-prepared to succeed and reach their target audience within the the digital literary landscape.

===[[Choosing Your Topic|Choosing Your Topic]]===
Choosing a focused topic is essential to the success of the overall blog. A topic expresses one essential idea within writing and unifies each successive post. At first, a specific topic may seem to confine creativity, but focusing the topic actually provides endless creative possibilities. A focused topic encourages the audience to engage more actively and interact as a part of a blog community, ultimately enhancing the popularity of the blog.

===[[Research Methods|Research Methods]]===
Research is the process of gathering information, evaluating it, and applying it to a question or problem. When writing for digital media, research allows writers to narrow their focus. Having a narrow focus makes a blog more interesting and the writer an expert on the topic.

===[[Participation|Participation]]===
When starting a blog, it is important the blog author knows how to encourage participation with not only other bloggers, but the readers. Participation is more than just writing in a clean and concise manner. Blog authors must understand that a blog does not operate in a vacuum, but instead is a piece of a vast branching network. Blogrolls, share buttons, and enabling comments are a few ways to increase participation.

===[[Audience|Audience]]===

Before creating content for a blog, it is important, first, to identify the audience. The blog author should define the target audience, research the target audience, and understand the conventions expected in terms of language, design, and credibility before creating content. In this way, the author will be able to build toward an interactive community based on shared points of view and relevancy in order to engage the targeted reader with pertinent information and sources.

==Organization ==
To maintain readership of a blog, a writer must create an organized space. Quality content can easily be overlooked on a cluttered, inconsistent page. Organization includes the overall structure of the site as well as the individual posts. There are several things that contribute to this consistency.[[Categorizing Posts | Categories and tags]] aid in narrowing the focus of each post within the blog. [[Headers and Sub-headers | Headers and sub-headers]] should give the reader a clear indication of what is contained in each section. By using [[Lists | lists]], digital media writers can highlight important content, break up posts, and guide readers through a sequence of information. [[Links | Links]] connect the page to other sites on the internet and offer access to other portions of the blog. All of these elements support the structure of an organized, consistent environment for content.

===[[Themes|Themes]]===
According to [http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ Digital Business Consultancy], "A theme will form a big part of how your blog looks, it’s important to get it right<ref>http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ </ref>." Picking a theme is not just about what is seen on the surface. When picking a theme, bloggers should be aware of all their options. After choosing a theme that fits the focus and desired layout of your blog, there are several attributes to consider within the theme. After considering all the options and making an informed decision, the application process is simple and straight-forward.

===[[Categorizing Posts|Categorizing Posts]]===

Categorizing a post is vital to the structure and organization of a blog. Categories help readers quickly identify the content of a blog. Tags provide specific information while grouping together like posts. Together categories and tags make it easier for readers to navigate the information within a blog.

===[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headers and Sub-headers]] ===

Headers and sub-headers are an important part of blogging used to organize content. Keeping in mind the goals and vision of the blog, headers and sub-headers help readers find specific information in a short amount of time.

===[[Lists|Lists]] ===
While developing a blog, lists can be used to not only emphasize subjects, but highlight important texts. It is imperative that the blog remain focused on its subject and has clarity. Lists help a reader to navigate the posts successfully and easily. Lists can also be detrimental to a blog if overused or incorrectly formatted. In digital Media a mistake like that can costs readers and credibility.

===[[Links|Links]]===
No page on the internet stands alone. The connection of sites on the internet is what makes the web interactive. Links play a vital role in maintaining this interactivity. By connecting to other areas of the internet, readers are given access to an unlimited pool of information.

==Writing Style==
After choosing a well-researched and focused topic and organizing the aesthetic and technical aspects of running a blog, blog writers must develop a consistent style for writing for digital media. It is crucial to keep in mind that online writing is an entirely different world separate from print. With the freedom digital media allows writers, there are also certain responsibilities that must be maintained in order for a blog to be effective and appealing to readers. Though writing for digital media encompasses writing techniques that are useful in print media (like following the [[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]] and [[proofreading|proofreading]] your posts), there are also key differences. Blogs must be [[Scan-ability|scannable]] because digital readers do not like to have to read without direction. While writing for a blog, less is typically more and [[brevity | brevity]] is admired. Following these writing techniques will help lead to the development of a credible and appealing blog.

===[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]===
Before students begin working on their writing for digital media, it is necessary that they have a complete understanding of basic writing skills. The qualities found on [http://mca.maconstate.edu/faculty/lucas/ Dr. Gerald Lucas'] foundational writing rubric outline all the requirements of an acceptable fundamental understanding of writing for digital or print media. College bloggers in must demonstrate these skills in every facet of their writing online.

===[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]===
If digital writing is not scannable, many times it will not be read. Writers of digital media must pay special attention to scan-ability because readers of digital writing are known to be easily distracted, impatient, and unwilling to read huge blocks of text. Digital writers must understand and utilize different properties of text, visuals, multimedia, and linking to maximize scan-ability.

===[[Brevity|Brevity]]===
Brevity is critical for meaningful writing. By forcing the writer to be intentional with their words and always being brief, precise, and direct a writer is less likely to ramble and lose the reader.

===[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]===

College student bloggers should familiarize themselves with the inverted pyramid. This design for news and information delivery via the web will help new bloggers quickly achieve [[brevity]] while communicating in a concise way. The inverted pyramid is important to the retention of a blog's audience.

===[[Proofreading|Proofreading]]===

Proofreading is essential for all writing. It requires reviewing and revising mistakes for a flawless and error free document. Proofreading for mistakes gives credibility to your document and prevents readers from getting distracted by mistakes.

==Notes==
<references/>

==References==
#Boal, Augusto. (2005). [http://www.democracynow.org/2005/6/3/famed_brazilian_artist_augusto_boal_on Famed Brazilian Artist Augusto Boal on the "Theatre of the Oppressed"]. Democracy Now: A Daily Independent Global News Hour with Amy Goodman & Juan González. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
#Carrol, Brian. (2010). [http://www.scribd.com/doc/64429015/Writing-for-Digital-Media Writing for Digital Media]. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
#[http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ What to Look For in a Wordpress Theme] ''Digital Business Consultancy''. 31 Jan. 2013 Web. 25 April 2013
[[Category:New Media]]

Blog Writing for College Students

2013-05-03T05:52:59Z

AmyRehner: /* Writing Style */ grammar

Blogging is a platform that "democratiz[es] the means of production<ref> Boal, Augusto</ref>." [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusto_Boal Augusto Boal's] revolutionary text pertaining to his participatory theatre project, [http://mellonseminaremotions.wikispaces.com/file/view/Boal+Agusto-Theatre+of+the+Oppressed.pdf The Theatre of the Oppressed], explores methods that are relevant to how the Internet provides the platform, or stage, for decentralized content. So in this vein, blog writing requires attention to focus, organization, and writing style in order for the college student to thrive in the new media realm.

==Focus==
The planning stage of creating a blog begins by developing a focus. Developing a focus involves [[narrowcasting]]. Important aspects of narrowcasting include [[Choosing Your Topic|choosing a topic]], [[Research Methods|researching]], setting [[participation]] standards, and identifying a target [[audience]]. By choosing a focused topic, researching to establish authority, developing relevant means of participation for the interactive needs of the audience, and knowing the targeted audience the college student will be prepared to create blog content within a platform that will be most engaging. The best blogs are highly specific<ref>Carrol, 163</ref>. Devoting time to developing focus strengthens a blog's chance at thriving in the digital world.

===[[Narrowcasting|Narrowcasting]]===

Narrowcasting for blog writing involves aiming the focus of the blog to a highly specific audience. A blog's audience is inherently fragmented. To reach an audience effectively requires providing in-depth information and perspectives on very specific topics to attain and retain a niche audience. Understanding the importance of narrowcasting and how to implement these conventions will benefit the college blogger. By understanding the importance of structuring a blog around narrowcasting conventions, the college blogger will be well-prepared to succeed and reach their target audience within the the digital literary landscape.

===[[Choosing Your Topic|Choosing Your Topic]]===
Choosing a focused topic is essential to the success of the overall blog. A topic expresses one essential idea within writing and unifies each successive post. At first, a specific topic may seem to confine creativity, but focusing the topic actually provides endless creative possibilities. A focused topic encourages the audience to engage more actively and interact as a part of a blog community, ultimately enhancing the popularity of the blog.

===[[Research Methods|Research Methods]]===
Research is the process of gathering information, evaluating it, and applying it to a question or problem. When writing for digital media, research allows writers to narrow their focus. Having a narrow focus makes a blog more interesting and the writer an expert on the topic.

===[[Participation|Participation]]===
When starting a blog, it is important the blog author knows how to encourage participation with not only other bloggers, but the readers. Participation is more than just writing in a clean and concise manner. Blog authors must understand that a blog does not operate in a vacuum, but instead is a piece of a vast branching network. Blogrolls, share buttons, and enabling comments are a few ways to increase participation.

===[[Audience|Audience]]===

Before creating content for a blog, it is important, first, to identify the audience. The blog author should define the target audience, research the target audience, and understand the conventions expected in terms of language, design, and credibility before creating content. In this way, the author will be able to build toward an interactive community based on shared points of view and relevancy in order to engage the targeted reader with pertinent information and sources.

==Organization ==
To maintain readership of a blog, a writer must create an organized space. Quality content can easily be overlooked on a cluttered, inconsistent page. Organization includes the overall structure of the site as well as the individual posts. There are several things that contribute to this consistency.[[Categorizing Posts | Categories and tags]] aid in narrowing the focus of each post within the blog. [[Headers and Sub-headers | Headers and sub-headers]] should give the reader a clear indication of what is contained in each section. By using [[Lists | lists]], digital media writers can highlight important content, break up posts, and guide readers through a sequence of information. [[Links | Links]] connect the page to other sites on the internet and offer access to other portions of the blog. All of these elements support the structure of an organized, consistent environment for content.

===[[Themes|Themes]]===
According to [http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ Digital Business Consultancy], "A theme will form a big part of how your blog looks, it’s important to get it right<ref>http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ </ref>." Picking a theme is not just about what is seen on the surface. When picking a theme, bloggers should be aware of all their options. After choosing a theme that fits the focus and desired layout of your blog, there are several attributes to consider within the theme. After considering all the options and making an informed decision, the application process is simple and straight-forward.

===[[Categorizing Posts|Categorizing Posts]]===

Categorizing a post is vital to the structure and organization of a blog. Categories help readers quickly identify the content of a blog. Tags provide specific information while grouping together like posts. Together categories and tags make it easier for readers to navigate the information within a blog.

===[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headers and Sub-headers]] ===

Headers and sub-headers are an important part of blogging used to organize content. Keeping in mind the goals and vision of the blog, headers and sub-headers help readers find specific information in a short amount of time.

===[[Lists|Lists]] ===
While developing a blog, lists can be used to not only emphasize subjects, but highlight important texts. It is imperative that the blog remain focused on its subject and has clarity. Lists help a reader to navigate the posts successfully and easily. Lists can also be detrimental to a blog if overused or incorrectly formatted. In digital Media a mistake like that can costs readers and credibility.

===[[Links|Links]]===
No page on the internet stands alone. The connection of sites on the internet is what makes the web interactive. Links play a vital role in maintaining this interactivity. By connecting to other areas of the internet, readers are given access to an unlimited pool of information.

==Writing Style==
After choosing a well-researched and [[Focus|focused topic]] and [[Organization|organizing]] the aesthetic and technical aspects of running a blog, blog writers must develop a consistent style for writing for digital media. It is crucial to keep in mind that online writing is an entirely different world separate from print. With the freedom digital media allows writers, there are also certain responsibilities that must be maintained in order for a blog to be effective and appealing to readers. Though writing for digital media encompasses writing techniques that are useful in print media (like following the [[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]] and [[proofreading|proofreading]] your posts), there are also key differences. Blogs must be [[Scan-ability|scannable]] because digital readers do not like to have to read without direction. While writing for a blog, less is typically more and [[brevity | brevity]] is admired. Following these writing techniques will help lead to the development of a credible and appealing blog.

===[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]===
Before students begin working on their writing for digital media, it is necessary that they have a complete understanding of basic writing skills. The qualities found on [http://mca.maconstate.edu/faculty/lucas/ Dr. Gerald Lucas'] foundational writing rubric outline all the requirements of an acceptable fundamental understanding of writing for digital or print media. College bloggers in must demonstrate these skills in every facet of their writing online.

===[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]===
If digital writing is not scannable, many times it will not be read. Writers of digital media must pay special attention to scan-ability because readers of digital writing are known to be easily distracted, impatient, and unwilling to read huge blocks of text. Digital writers must understand and utilize different properties of text, visuals, multimedia, and linking to maximize scan-ability.

===[[Brevity|Brevity]]===
Brevity is critical for meaningful writing. By forcing the writer to be intentional with their words and always being brief, precise, and direct a writer is less likely to ramble and lose the reader.

===[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]===

College student bloggers should familiarize themselves with the inverted pyramid. This design for news and information delivery via the web will help new bloggers quickly achieve [[brevity]] while communicating in a concise way. The inverted pyramid is important to the retention of a blog's audience.

===[[Proofreading|Proofreading]]===

Proofreading is essential for all writing. It requires reviewing and revising mistakes for a flawless and error free document. Proofreading for mistakes gives credibility to your document and prevents readers from getting distracted by mistakes.

==Notes==
<references/>

==References==
#Boal, Augusto. (2005). [http://www.democracynow.org/2005/6/3/famed_brazilian_artist_augusto_boal_on Famed Brazilian Artist Augusto Boal on the "Theatre of the Oppressed"]. Democracy Now: A Daily Independent Global News Hour with Amy Goodman & Juan González. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
#Carrol, Brian. (2010). [http://www.scribd.com/doc/64429015/Writing-for-Digital-Media Writing for Digital Media]. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
#[http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ What to Look For in a Wordpress Theme] ''Digital Business Consultancy''. 31 Jan. 2013 Web. 25 April 2013
[[Category:New Media]]

Lists

2013-05-03T05:34:07Z

AmyRehner: Grammar

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

A list is a number of connected items or names written or printed consecutively, typically one below the other <ref>"Lists</ref>. According to Brian Carroll in ''Writing for Digital Media'', lists are another way that web users can emphasize certain important information or to help readers follow a particular sequence. Lists can help to divide the text and highlight key points in a blogs.

[[File:ThreeTypesofListsinWord_thumb.png |thumb|upright=1.5| http://www.online-tech-tips.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/ThreeTypesofListsinWord_thumb.png]]

==General Guidelines For Lists <ref> Carroll, p.40</ref>==
Bloggers must present all items consistently, including approximate length, structure, phrasing, spacing, indentation, punctuation, cap styles, and font. <ref>Carroll, p.41</ref>

* Make each item in the list grammatically similar in order to enhance the aesthetic appeal for the intended audience.
* Ensure sentence structure, verb tense, and phrasing are consistent.
* Do not over-punctuate.
**A good general rule is to punctuate only with commas when the items in the list are not written in complete sentences; Use semi-colons if the items are complete sentences<ref>Carroll, p.41</ref>.

==Why Lists Work==
Muhammad Saleem writes that, "Simply put, lists work because they conform to the idea of ''Left-Brain Marketing''. Everyone has two sides of the brain and each part controls a specific way of thinking. The left brain is analytical, and prefers a step-by-step approach (i.e. lists) while the right brain prefers to see the big picture first and then deal with the details later." <ref> Saleem, Muhammad </ref> This type of thought process helps to create a successful blog with a higher rate of return readers.

==The Order of Lists <ref> Carroll, p.41</ref>==
The sequence of the list is an important consideration when presenting the elements in the list. In some cases you may want to number the parts of the lists or use bullet points to present the information in a way that makes the sequence clear.

==Things to avoid when using Lists <ref> Carroll, p.41</ref>==
* Avoid overusing lists.
**Too many lists take away from the impact that the list will have on the reader.
* Avoid using over six to eight items.
**Too many items on a list can cause the reader to lose interest. Think about sub-dividing longer lists and consolidating shorter ones.<ref> Carroll, p.41</ref>

==Examples of Lists==
Bloggers can use many different types of lists but should ensure they are relevant to the blog. So, consider the content matter before attempting to list information. For example, if you want to formally highlight certain dates a blogger can use chronological numbered lists, such as:

* 1.) 01/01/2013
* 2.) 01/02/2013
* 3.) 01/03/2013

If a blogger wants to highlight some information informally, use a list that contains bullet points. Again, lists can be created in many different ways, but the key to creating a successful list is to make sure that the highlighted information is important enough to be displayed.

==References==

<References>
#Carroll, Brian. (2010). [http://www.scribd.com/doc/64429015/Writing-for-Digital-Media Writing for Digital Media]. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
#Lists. Google.com. Google.com, 2012. Web. 03 Apr. 2013
#Saleem, Muhammad. (2007). [http://www.copyblogger.com/writing-lists/]. Retrieved 7 April 2013
</References>

==See Also==
*[[Themes|Themes]]
*[[Categorizing Posts|Categorizing Posts]]
*[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headers and Sub-headers]]
*[[Links|Links]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Proofreading

2013-05-03T05:14:25Z

AmyRehner: Add see also section

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

'''Proofreading''' is essential for all writing. It creates a seamless document by correcting all errors. Proofreading [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proofreading] is reviewing and rereading a document looking for errors. When proofreading look for typos [http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/typo], misspelled words, punctuation and grammar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_grammar] mistakes, and any other problems within the document. Having a flawless, error free, document gives creditably and is easier for the audience [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audience] to read and understand.

== Why Proofreading is Important ==

Content is important but the way a document looks affects the way others judge it. Careless errors are distracting to readers. It is important to pay attention to details because it helps make a good impression overall. It is better to work with a definite plan that helps search for specific kinds of errors rather than quickly glancing over the document. When quickly glancing over a document, it is easy to overlook many errors.

== Checklist ==
When proofreading, first put the document aside for a few hours, days, or weeks. This allows for a fresh look at the document to see what is really on the page. Find a quite place to work. Read slow, and read every word. Read aloud. By following a proofreading checklist, it is easier to find common errors [http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/561/02/]. Proofread for only one kind of error at a time.

'''Spelling:'''
Look for misspelled words. Using a spell checker [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spell_checker] will find most errors and typos, but not all. It is important not to only rely on spell checker but to also review and reread your document. Spell checkers do not always correct homophones [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophones](i.e. their, they're, there), words used incorrectly, and/or contractions [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contraction_(grammar)](i.e. don't, won't, can't).

'''Punctuation:'''
Punctuation [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuation] is not always checked with the spell checker. When rereading your document look for punctuation errors. This includes periods [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Period_(punctuation)], commas [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comma], colons [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colon_(punctuation)], semicolons [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semicolon], quotations [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quotation_mark], and the correct punctuation when citing sources.

'''Content:'''
When proofreading, be sure to also pay attention to the content. Check for clarity, organization, variation of sentence structure, and word choice. Also, check for correct grammar [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_grammar] . Check your document to make sure your tense [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenses] are consistent (past, first-person, present). Be sure to stay within the same format throughout (MLA, APA). Also, pay close attention to the way the document is laid out (margins and fonts).

'''Proofread Again:'''
It does not hurt to reread your document many times looking for errors and for ways to improve it. It is easy to overlook an error or mistake, but the closer one reexamines the text the fewer the errors will be that make it to the final text, lending to more credibility to the author. Also, consider having a peer or professor look over the document as well.

== Notes ==
<references/>

== External Links ==

[[Macon State College Library's Guide to Citing Sources]] [http://www.maconstate.edu/library/citing.aspx]

[[MGSC's Dr. Lucas' "Editor's Checklist"]] [http://litmuse.net/resources/writing/editors-checklist]

[[Punctuation Made Simple]] [http://lilt.ilstu.edu/golson/punctuation/]

[[The Purdue Online Writing Lab]] [http://owl.english.purdue.edu/]

[[Webster's Proofreader's Marks]] [http://www.merriam-webster.com/mw/table/proofrea.htm]

==See Also==
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]
*[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]
*[[Brevity|Brevity]]
*[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Inverted Pyramid

2013-05-03T05:13:51Z

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An inverted pyramid serves as a design standard of news delivery and tech writing. This design should serve as a guideline for students constructing a blog for the first time.

[[File:news_writing_inverted_pyramid2.jpg|200px|thumb|]]

'''Organization'''

#Most important information placed first. '''See "Priority: The 5 Ws."'''
#Explanation or supporting details that make the headline and attention grabbing information true
#General details-These details will be the least likely to be read. In the event that these details are cut, the article should not suffer.

'''Priority: The 5 Ws'''

According to the Purdue Online Writing Lab the 5 Ws help the author determine the most important information. According to inverted pyramid style, these questions should be answered by the conclusion of the first paragraph.

*'''W'''ho? Well known names should be in the headline. Others may go in the first paragraph depending on the subject.
*'''W'''hat? Readers visit sites to discover current news or results of occurrences. Essentially the first paragraph or headline should answer the question, "What's happening?"
*'''W'''hen? Time is important to web journalism because news and data are ever changing. A reader should be able to tell the relevance of an article to his search without reading the full entry.
*'''W'''here? Location like time helps the reader determine relevance to his life. Someone is California may not necessarily want data or news from a study or an event in Florida.
*'''W'''hy? After reading a headline, a natural reaction from the site visitor will be "Why?" If this information is available, it is necessary to the beginning of the article. Often times readers surf the web for the "why" of a new law, murder, food recall, etc. Exclusion of this detail will cause a reader to go elsewhere and flag the site as uninformed.

'''Purpose'''

The inverted pyramid contributes to [[scan-ability]]. Placement of the most essential information at the beginning of an article or entry allows the reader to get what he needs without scrolling. Site visitors read less on the web than in print. Bloggers should implement the inverted pyramid to share need-to-know information quickly and retain frequent visitors. [http://webwisewording.com/Tips/front-load-your-writing/ Webwise Wording] says, "If they cannot quickly and easily assess your article for points of interest, they are likely to leave your webpage and go search for an alternative that is easier to skim."

== References ==

#[http://webwisewording.com/Tips/front-load-your-writing/ Inverted Pyramid Style] Retrieved 2 April 2013.
#[http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/735/04/ Purdue OWL: Journalism and Journalistic Writing] Retrieved 9 April 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]
*[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]
*[[Brevity|Brevity]]
*[[Proofreading|Proofreading]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Brevity

2013-05-03T05:13:17Z

AmyRehner: Add see also section

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

Brevity is essential for all writing. It forces the writer to be more intentional with their words and keeps readers from having to read through chunks of unneeded text.
=== Writing for Brevity ===
When writing for brevity, try to avoid "humbug and general vagueness" Orwell suggests that you do the following:<ref>Carroll, 14</ref>

# Never use a long word where a short one will do.
# If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
# Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.

Writers should always be brief, precise, and direct. When writing a word it should mean exactly what it says it means, no more and no less. Always use the precise word that your writing requires. When writing for digital media, a dictionary and thesaurus are good to have close at hand.<ref>Carroll, 8</ref>.
== Notes==
<references/>

==References==
#Carrol, Brian. (2010).[http://bookmoving.com/book/writing-digital-media_3430.html ''Writing for Digital Media'']. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 28 March 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]
*[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]
*[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]
*[[Proofreading|Proofreading]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Scan-ability

2013-05-03T05:12:30Z

AmyRehner: Add see also section

Links

2013-05-03T05:10:04Z

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No page on the internet stands alone. The connection of sites on the internet is what makes the web interactive. Links play a vital role in maintaining this interactivity. By connecting to other areas of the internet, readers are given access to an unlimited pool of information. An article by Lee Munroe of [http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/02/13/the-definitive-guide-to-styling-web-links/ Smashing Magazine] quoted [http://webstandardistas.com/ Web Standardistas] saying "“without hypertext links the Web wouldn’t be the Web, it would simply be a collection of separate, unconnected pages.”<ref>Lee Munroe</ref>

==Why Link==

===Credibility===

Readers come to the internet for information. Even if the content is purely for entertainment purposes, the author is still expected to present accurate, well-supported information. Blog writing is not exempt from this requirement. More and more people go to blogs everyday to find information. According to researchers Thomas J. Johnson and Barbara K. Kaye, blog readers are "seeking out information to support their views and are likely to consider information they receive from blogs as highly credible."<ref>Johnson and Kaye</ref> Providing attribution for evidence and quotes that support your position can easily be accomplished by using hyperlinks. According to [http://webdesign.about.com/od/beginningtutorials/qt/external-links.htm About.com] guide Jennifer Kyrnin, "Don't forget, even eminent scientists provide bibliographies on their papers and journal entries. By linking to sites outside of your own site, you show that you have done the research on the topic and really do know what you're talking about." <ref>Jennifer Kyrnin</ref> Hyperlinks can also be used to provide context for a post.<ref>Brian Carroll 39</ref> These links can give reference to why a post is relevant within the topic, how the author gathers information, and where the authors views originated.

===Interactivity===

When using hyperlinks, the goal is to reward readers with something extra or another dimension to the story. This is generally referred to as [http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Scan-ability#Layering_content "layering."]<ref>Brian Carroll 37</ref> By doing this, you allow your reader to move around from story to story, link to other sources, and even explore alternative subjects. No other medium provides for this. According to Carroll, "We should link to related content to allow the reader to pursue the subject rather than simply moving to the next story.<ref>Brian Carroll 38</ref>" By including these links, you give the readers a feeling of control. They are not required to wait until the end of the story. Instead, they can pursue what interest them.

==What are Links==
Links can be addictive. Because of this, writers should be intentional about what content contains links, and where these links lead. According to ''Writing for Digital Media'' by Brian Carroll, "Before linking to another site, ask what the reward for following that link will be for the reader. This consideration will prevent gratuitous linking." <ref>Brian Carroll 39</ref>

===Sources===

Sources can include supporting documents, empirical data, corroborating accounts, definitions of words, explanations, maps, etc. When referencing a person, link to that person's page. When talking about a movie, link to the trailer. Keep in mind that common knowledge to the author may be foreign to the reader.

=== Embedded links===
Embedded links are the most common type of link. These link to other web pages outside of your blog. Using external links is useful in giving access to evidence that verifies the information presented in your blog, or provided related reading material. The link is designated by a "hot area" identified by a word or object. According to [http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/H/hot_spot.html Webopedia], a hot area is "an area of a graphics object, or a section of text, that activates a function when selected. Hot spots are particularly common in multimedia applications, where selecting a hot spot can make the application display a picture, run a video, or open a new window of information."

===Inline links===
Inline links do not take the reader off the page. These links display content that is located somewhere else on the web, but they do not require the user to navigate away from the blog. The most common types of inline links are pictures and videos. The author displays these graphics on his or her page, but acknowledges that they originated elsewhere on the internet.

===Anchors===
Like inline links, anchors do not send readers elsewhere. Instead, these links connect the reader to other sections of the page. [http://kb.weebly.com/anchor-links.html Weebly support center] says, "Anchor links enable you to link directly from one part of a page to another" One of the most anchor links is a link to the home page. As bloggers, we should keep in mind that not all users access each page through the home page. Providing a link to the homepage gives access to the rest of your content.

==How to Link==
=== HTML ===
Creating hypertext with HTML can be done with a simple code. The HTML link syntax looks like this: '''<a href="url">Link text</a>'''

Example: To link to a page about linking, I would use this code '''<nowiki><a href="http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp#gsc.tab=0">Links</a></nowiki>'''. It would then appear as: [http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp#gsc.tab=0 Links]. This HTML code will work on websites that support HTML coding.

====New tab====
Sometimes it's beneficial to have hyperlinks open a new tab or window. The HTML code for opening the link in another tab looks like this: '''<nowiki><a href="URL of target site" target="_blank">Anchor text</a></nowiki>''' and displays as this: [http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp Anchor text].

====New window====
The HTML code for opening the link in another window looks like this: '''<nowiki><a href="URL of target site" target="_blank">Anchor Text</a> or <a href="URL of target site" target="new">Anchor Text</a></nowiki>''' and displays as this: [http://dummies.bloggertipsandtricks.com/2006/03/how-to-make-clickable-link.html Anchor Text]

====Alternative codes====

It's important to remember that various websites will have their own method of adding a hyperlink to a post. For example, this wiki does not use the HTML code shown above. Instead, hyperlinks are shown by placing a url in standard brackets and then simply typing the word you wish to display. It looks like this: '''<nowiki>[http://www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia]</nowiki>''' and displays as this: [http://www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia]. When working with various websites, take the time to figure out how each site supports hyperlinks.

=== The Link button ===
[[File:Links.jpg|thumb|Link button]]
The graphical user interface is a wonderful thing. Because of this, many blog sites don't require users to write HTML code. These sites offer a method of linking with the click of a button. This button is most often a graphic representation of a chain linked together.
To use this button, simply highlight the text you wish to link, click the link graphic and insert a url. If you want to remove a link from a word or set of words, highlight the text and click the broken chain graphic. This will remove the link.

=== Unambiguous linking ===
When incorporating hyperlinks into a blog post, make sure that any linked text leads to an obvious destination. Readers should always have a clear idea of where each link will take them. Ben Hunt from [http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/usability/clear-hyperlinks/ Web Design from Scratch] said, "To help users browse with confidence, web links should be absolutely clear and explicit." Ambiguous links may lead to a loss of credibility.

=== Contrast ===
Many blog sites or themes have a default color for hyperlinks. Blue is no longer the only option, but sometimes customization is impossible within a theme. If customization is possible, be sure to choose a color for hypertext that will stand out. Contrast is important so that users can tell which words are or are not links. According to Gary Swift of [http://www.designmatrix.com/index.html DesignMatriX.com], "Choose hyperlink (anchor) colors that contrast against the normal text color, with unvisited links brighter (hotter) than visited links. Within a set of related hypertext documents, use these link colors consistently. For Web sites this generally means the entire site." <ref>Gary Swift</ref>

=== Menus ===
One option for incorporating links is to create a sidebar or menu on the page that leads to supporting information. When using [http://wordpress.com/ Wordpress] adding a menu is relatively simple depending on the theme. To find out if your theme supports menus, go to your blog's dashboard and go to '''Appearance --> Menus.''' Wordpress provides a [http://en.support.wordpress.com/menus/ tutorial] on how to customize the menu in various ways.

==How not to Link==

===Punctuation marks===
When highlighting a word or phrase to link, make sure to exclude all punctuation marks.

===Headlines===

Ideally, [[Headers and Sub-headers| headlines and sub-headers]] should stand on their own. It is both distracting and unnecessary to link the title to another page.

=== Long phrases ===
To put it simply, long, hyperlinked phrases do not get read. Whether the phrase is underlined or displayed in a darker color, it is difficult to read a full sentence that contains a hyperlink. Remember that users don't read, [http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Scan-ability they scan]. Stick with 1-2 words or the title of whatever you're referencing. [http://www.asdfsdfreresdferer.com/ If you're link looks anything like this, there's good change that you're doing it wrong. This link is much too long and leads to nothing.]

===Labels===

Hyperlinks should not show up as labels that simply point to content. "Click here" or "Additional information" is ambiguous and does not provide any useful information for the reader.[http://jimthatcher.com/news-061607.htm Click here for more information about this common error!]

===Broken links===

This concept is relatively self-explanatory, but it is nevertheless a common mistake. Be careful to check the destination of each link before publishing a post. Broken links frustrate the readers and can damage the credibility of the writer.

==Notes==
<references/>

==References==

#[http://kb.weebly.com/anchor-links.html Anchor Links]. ''Weebly'' Web. 10 April 2013
# Carroll, Brian. (2010). ''[http://www.scribd.com/doc/64429015/Writing-for-Digital-Media Writing for Digital Media]''. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 3 April 2013.
# [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:Cheatsheet Help: Cheatsheet.] ''Wikipedia.'' 30 March 2013. Web. 3 April 2013
# [http://www.w3schools.com/html/html_links.asp HTML Links.] ''w3Schools'' Web. 2 April 2013
# Hunt, Ben. [http://www.webdesignfromscratch.com/usability/clear-hyperlinks/ Clear Web Hyperlinks] ''Web Design from Scratch''. Web. 10 April 2013
# Johnson, Thomas J. and Kaye, Barbara K. "Cruising is Believing?" Comparing Internet and Traditional Sources on Media Credibility Measures," ''Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly'', 75,(1998): 325-40
# Kyrnin, Jennifer. [http://webdesign.about.com/od/beginningtutorials/qt/external-links.htm Why and How to Use External Links.] ''About.com'' Web. 1 April 2013
# Munroe, Lee. [http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010/02/13/the-definitive-guide-to-styling-web-links/ The Definitive Guide To Styling Web Links.] ''Smashing Magazine'' 13 February, 2013. Web. 1 April 2013
# [http://en.support.wordpress.com/menus/ Support: Custom Menus.] ''Wordpress'' Web. 2 April 2013
# Swift, Gary. [http://www.designmatrix.com/pl/cyberpl/www/clc.html Consistent Link Colors.] ''DesignMatriX'' 22 September, 2012. Web. 2 April 2013
# Thatcher, James. [http://jimthatcher.com/news-061607.htm Click Here and Other Link Text.] ''Jim Thatcher.'' 2 May 2011. Web. 3 April 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Themes|Themes]]
*[[Categorizing Posts|Categorizing Posts]]
*[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headers and Sub-headers]]
*[[Lists|Lists]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Lists

2013-05-03T05:09:08Z

AmyRehner: Add see also section

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

A list is a number of connected items or names written or printed consecutively, typically one below the other. <ref>"Lists</ref>. According to Brian Carroll in ''Writing for Digital Media'', lists are another way that web users can emphasize certain important information or to help readers follow a particular sequence. Lists can help to divide the text and highlight key points in a blogs.

[[File:ThreeTypesofListsinWord_thumb.png |thumb|upright=1.5| http://www.online-tech-tips.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/ThreeTypesofListsinWord_thumb.png]]

==General Guidelines For Lists <ref> Carroll, p.40</ref>==
In blogging present all items consistently, and in almost every way, including approximate length, structure, phrasing, spacing, indentation, punctuation, cap styles, and font. <ref>Carroll, p.41</ref>

* Try to make each item in the list grammatically similar and that will also help to appeal to the intended audience visually.
* Perhaps the most common problem or pitfall in creating lists is the inconsistency of grammar, verb tense, and phrasing.
* But, do not over punctuate a good general rule is to punctuate only with commas when the items in the list are not written in complete sentences; with semi-colons if they are complete sentences.<ref>Carroll, p.41</ref>

==Why Lists Work==
Muhammad Saleem writes that, "Simply put, lists work because they conform to the idea of “Left-Brain Marketing”. Everyone has two sides of the brain, and each part controls a specific way of thinking. The left brain is analytical, and prefers a step-by-step approach (i.e. lists) while the right brain prefers to see the big picture first and then deal with the details later." <ref> Saleem, Muhammad </ref> This type of thought process helps to create a successful blog with a higher rate of return readers.

==The Order of Lists <ref> Carroll, p.41</ref>==
The sequence of the list is important and it should be considered when you are presenting the elements in the list. In some cases you may want to number the parts of the lists in a way that makes the sequence clear such as with numbers , while in other cases that won't be necessary.

==Things to avoid when using Lists <ref> Carroll, p.41</ref>==
* Avoid overusing lists.
* Too many take away from the impact that the list will have on the reader.
* When possible, keep the list at approximately six to eight items. Too many items on a list can cause the reader to lose interest. Think about sub-dividing longer lists and consolidating shorter ones.<ref> Carroll, p.41</ref>

==Examples of Lists==
There are many different types of lists that can be used in blogging. Lists need to be relevant to the blog. So consider the content matter before attempting to list information. For example, if displaying important information and you want to highlight certain dates a blogger can use chronological numbered lists:
* 1.) 01/01/2013
* 2.) 01/02/2013
* 3.) 01/03/2013

If a blogger wants to highlight some information informally use a list that contains bullet points. Again lists can be marked in many different ways the key to creating a successful list is the content. Make sure that the highlighted information is important enough to be displayed.

==References==

<References>
#Carroll, Brian. (2010). [http://www.scribd.com/doc/64429015/Writing-for-Digital-Media Writing for Digital Media]. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
#Lists. Google.com. Google.com, 2012. Web. 03 Apr. 2013
#Saleem, Muhammad. (2007). [http://www.copyblogger.com/writing-lists/]. Retrieved 7 April 2013
</References>

==See Also==
*[[Themes|Themes]]
*[[Categorizing Posts|Categorizing Posts]]
*[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headers and Sub-headers]]
*[[Links|Links]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Categorizing Posts

2013-05-03T05:07:50Z

AmyRehner: reordered see also list

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

A blog is organized and structured using categories and tags. Readers searching for information written on a broad topic will benefit more from categories. Those readers looking for a more specific topic will find tags to be more useful because they narrow down the information to a particular topic. Categories and tags will help readers navigate a blog's content easily to find the information they are looking for.

[[Image:Categories-Tags.jpg|thumb|right|alt Frontline.com]]

== Categories ==

[http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2005/09/09/categories-versus-tags-whats-the-difference-and-which-one/ Categories] give readers a broad overview of what kind of content a blog holds so that they can decide if that blog holds the right information for them. When choosing a category for a post, bloggers need to consider the readers that will visit their blog and what needs they might have. Bloggers must find the balance of being specific with a category so that the kind of information it holds is clear without being too broad. Readers must be able to look at categories within a blog and know right away if they are in the right place. One thing bloggers must be cautious about when choosing a category is that they have more than one post that can fit under that category. Displaying a single post within a category will give the readers the impression that the blogger does not know a lot about that subject. On the other hand a blogger doesn't want to make a category so strong and filled with too much information that it will need it's own blog site.

== Tags ==

Tags are similar to [http://weblogs.about.com/od/partsofablog/qt/CategoriesOvrvw.htm/ "keywords"] and help readers find a specific topic within a category. Tags help readers identify specific information within a particular post. Posts can have many tags which allow them to be categorized with other posts to make it easier for readers to navigate a blog. A tag name must be specific. For example, if a blog post is about "How to make home made pizza," you would put it under a "cooking" category but one of the tags would be "pizza." Readers can find the tag links under each post. By clicking on the tag links, readers will be taken to an archive where every post related to that tag can be found.

== Descriptive Categories ==

Categories should [http://wiredimpact.com/blog/making-blog-categories-more-useful/ describe] to readers what content they hold without a huge explanation. With each category a blogger creates they must keep in mind the overall [[Narrowcasting|focus]] of their blog and what their readers are looking for. By choosing the right category, you can make it obvious to readers what kind of posts your blog holds. Bloggers have the difficult task of finding the happy medium between a category being too broad or too specific in their description. If the category is too specific it leaves the reader with less choices. However, if it is too broad it will make it difficult for a reader to find what they are looking for and they will move on. When bloggers are brainstorming about how to describe their categories they should keep in mind how it will appear in a search engine. A blog's categories and tags will help readers find the blog they are looking for when using search engines.

== References ==

1. Carroll, Brian. (2010). Writing for Digital Media. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 4 April 2013.

2. [http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2005/09/09/categories-versus-tags-whats-the-difference-and-which-one/ Categories versus Tags] Lorelle On WordPress Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

3. [http://wiredimpact.com/blog/making-blog-categories-more-useful/ Making Blog Categories More Useful] Wired Impact Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

4. [http://weblogs.about.com/od/partsofablog/qt/CategoriesOvrvw.htm/ An Overview of Blog categories] About.com Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

5. [http://frontlinecopy.com/2013/02/how-to-use-categories-tags-keywords-in-your-green-business-blog/ How to use categories, tags & keywords in your green business blog] Frontlinecopy.com Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Themes|Themes]]
*[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headers and Sub-headers]]
*[[Lists|Lists]]
*[[Links|Links]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Themes

2013-05-03T05:07:03Z

AmyRehner: Put see also in order

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

According to [http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ Digital Business Consultancy], "A theme will form a big part of how your blog looks, it’s important to get it right." <ref>Digital Business Consultancy</ref> Picking a theme is not just about what is seen on the surface. When picking a theme, bloggers should be aware of all the options. After choosing a theme that fits the focus and desired layout of your blog, there are several attributes to consider within the theme. After considering all the options and making an informed decision, the application process is simple and straight-forward.
===How to pick a theme===
[http://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/selecting-the-perfect-theme-for-wordpress/ Selecting the perfect theme] for a blog is vital to the future success of that blog.The main points to keep in mind when choosing a theme for your topic are compatibility with your focus, search engine optimization, and functionality. Keeping these in mind will help any blogger pick a theme that is right for their topic to provide a successful starting point.

'''The [[Narrowcasting|focus of the blog]]''' is the first thing a blogger should consider when choosing a theme. For example if a blogger is working on a "How to" blog then they will want to pick a blog that is compatible with uploading pictures or video. A good example of a compatible theme for this kind of blog is a [http://www.cssigniter.com/ignite/themes/molly/ Molly Blog WP theme]. If a blogger is looking for a theme that will support a lot of text then a [http://www.elegantthemes.com/gallery/dailyjournal/ Daily journal WP theme] would be ideal because it adapts to any screen's size making it more scan-able and easy to read on any device. Picking a simple yet compatible theme is recommended for easy use in updating and ensures that it will work with multiple browsers. Functionality is key. Busy themes might look good, but they are hard to modify and not always compatible with every browser.

'''Another thing a blogger must consider is the way a theme will appear in a search engine.''' Keeping search engine optimization in mind when picking a theme will give web users a better first impression of that blog.

'''If you want to maintain functionality while creating a little more design''', choose a custom theme. A free theme with a simple, professional design, which can be easily modified, is best when picking a theme. However, be aware of the terms of service. Picking a free theme has its advantages but if you're looking for more support, picking a commercial theme will provide more benefits for a one-time fee.

====Widgets====
Many, but not all, Wordpress themes allow for the use of [http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-widget.htm widgets]. All themes do not offer the same amount of widget space on a blog page. Depending on the nature of a blog, this can be problematic. When browsing through, read the details of themes that fit the style of your blog. Check what widgets are supported, how many are available, and where they may be placed.

[[File:Screen Shot 2013-04-24 at 5.19.28 PM.png|thumb|upright=2|center|Theme details display specs]]
====Color & Background====
Some themes offer the option of changing the color of various elements of the blog including the font and background. In some cases this may include changes in color palette. The ability to edit custom colors will be listed under "features" in the theme details.

====Menus====
Bloggers generally have two options for adding menus to a blog site. Some themes come with menus set in specific areas by default. If this is not an option, many themes support the creation of custom menus. This information is generally included in the [http://theme.wordpress.com/themes/bonpress/ theme details]. To create a custom menu or check for menu support, go to '''Appearance -> Menus''' and make the desired changes.

====Browser compatibility====
Many bloggers make the assumption that because a blog theme works well on one browser, it will work the same on all browsers. This assumption can be dangerous. When searching for a theme, pay attention to the browser compatibility and mobile support. Wordpress provides several [http://theme.wordpress.com/themes/features/responsive-width/ "mobile themes"] that are specifically smartphone-ready. Additionally, many themes offer the option of enabling or disabling mobile themes on your site if the theme is mobile friendly.<ref>Mobile Themes Support</ref>

===Where to get a theme===
Themes for word press can be found on the word press site itself or from outside sources. With websites such as [http://www.rockettheme.com/wordpress-themes RocketTheme],[http://www.woothemes.com/ WooTheme] and [http://smthemes.com/ SMThemes] , finding a theme to fit your desired look is not a problem. They all provide both premium and free themes. Premium themes may differ in price based upon the specs and any special widgets that can be added. If you are unwilling to pay for a theme there are multiple themes that are free that will create the same great look as a premium theme.

===How to apply the theme===
Once a blogger has picked a theme for the blog, the theme must be applied. Depending on the parent website a blogger is using to create and edit their content the application process can vary.

There are many different sites a blogger can chose from to create a blog and apply a theme. [[File: wpll.jpg|thumb|upright=2.0]]

==== Wordpress ====
For [http://www.wordpress.com Wordpress.com] sites, applying a theme is very simple. On the dashboard of your blog, go to Appearance -> Themes.
Once you have chosen a theme, click "activate," and the theme will be applied to your blog.

====Blogger====
Theme installation on [http://www.blogger.com Blogger.com] is slightly more complicated. Depending on which theme, it may entail editing HTML and saving the theme in a zipped folder on your desktop. [http://www.free-themes.org/installing-themes/installing-a-blogger-theme Free-Themes.org] provides detailed instructions.

This process is similar on different blogging sites not mentioned here. Most websites have a detailed step by step process for applying the theme correctly, and formatting it to fit a bloggers desired needs. Be sure to preview the finished blog once the theme has been applied to catch any potential issues with the theme before publishing it.

===Notes===
<references/>

===References===
#[http://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/selecting-the-perfect-theme-for-wordpress/ Selecting the Perfect Theme for WordPress] ''wpbeginner web.'' 25 March 2013. Web. 27 April 2013
#[http://bloggingwordpress.net/2013/02/wordpress-blog-themes.html/ 20+ Simple WordPress Blog Themes for Personal] ''W Blogging web''. 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 27 April 2013
#[http://theme.wordpress.com/ Wordpress Themes for Blogs] ''Wordpress''. Web. 29 April 2013
#[http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ What to Look For in a Wordpress Theme] ''Digital Business Consultancy''. 31 Jan. 2013 Web. 25 April 2013
#[http://www.free-themes.org/installing-themes/installing-a-blogger-theme Free-Themes.org] ''Free-Themes.org''. Web. 27 April 2013
#[http://www.siteground.com/tutorials/wordpress/install_themes.htm How to Install Themes on Wordpress]. ''Site Ground''. Web. 1 May 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Categorizing Posts|Categorizing Posts]]
*[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headers and Sub-headers]]
*[[Lists|Lists]]
*[[Links|Links]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Headers and Sub-headers

2013-05-03T05:00:43Z

AmyRehner: Add see also section

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

The header and sub header should always be used wisely, keeping in mind the goals and vision of the blog and its design.

==Why create it? ==
=== Organization ===
Headings and subheadings are a visual representation of how information is organized, and tells the reader what is in each section.

=== Scanability ===
Online readers are not very patient. A website has approximately three seconds to download properly and engage the viewer. <ref> Carroll, Brian. Writing for digital media. Routledge, 2010.</ref> Your headline is the first impression you make on a reader. Without a captivating header and sub header that will turn a browser into a reader, the rest of the content might be irrelevant.<ref>"Page Titles, Headlines, and Subheaders, OH MY!" Writing Spaces. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2013. <http://writingspaces.org/wwsg/page-titles-headlines-subheaders>.</ref> Sub-headers will make blog posts more readable. They allow readers to get a quick idea on what subjects you’re tackling and allow them to skip to the topics the readers are interested in.

==How to create it? ==
===Brevity ===
Both the heading and subheading should be short and straight forward. Use clarity and not creativity. Subheadings should be explanatory, pulling key words from the post. This will allow the reader to have an idea of what is coming up ahead.

===Parallelism ===
When crating headers and sub headers the text, font, and sizes should be consistent. Headers should have a bigger text than a sub header. Continue to use the same font throughout the header and sub header. If your first sub header is in italics, the next sub header should be italics as well. Headers should begin the same way. If the first header starts with “The”, the rest of the headers should also begin with “The”.

==References==
<references>
Carroll, Brian. Writing for digital media. Routledge, 2010.

Fishman, Hirsch. "10 Tips for Improving Your Titles and Sub-Headers." Addicott Web RSS. N.p., 09 June 2009. Web. 04 Apr. 2013.

"Headings & Subheadings." Sophia. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2013.

"Page Titles, Headlines, and Subheaders, OH MY!" Writing Spaces. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2013.

"What Is a Blog Header?" About.com Blogging. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Apr. 2013.

</references>

==See Also==
*[[Themes|Themes]]
*[[Categorizing Posts|Categorizing Posts]]
*[[Lists|Lists]]
*[[Links|Links]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Categorizing Posts

2013-05-03T04:59:34Z

AmyRehner: Added See Also section

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

A blog is organized and structured using categories and tags. Readers searching for information written on a broad topic will benefit more from categories. Those readers looking for a more specific topic will find tags to be more useful because they narrow down the information to a particular topic. Categories and tags will help readers navigate a blog's content easily to find the information they are looking for.

[[Image:Categories-Tags.jpg|thumb|right|alt Frontline.com]]

== Categories ==

[http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2005/09/09/categories-versus-tags-whats-the-difference-and-which-one/ Categories] give readers a broad overview of what kind of content a blog holds so that they can decide if that blog holds the right information for them. When choosing a category for a post, bloggers need to consider the readers that will visit their blog and what needs they might have. Bloggers must find the balance of being specific with a category so that the kind of information it holds is clear without being too broad. Readers must be able to look at categories within a blog and know right away if they are in the right place. One thing bloggers must be cautious about when choosing a category is that they have more than one post that can fit under that category. Displaying a single post within a category will give the readers the impression that the blogger does not know a lot about that subject. On the other hand a blogger doesn't want to make a category so strong and filled with too much information that it will need it's own blog site.

== Tags ==

Tags are similar to [http://weblogs.about.com/od/partsofablog/qt/CategoriesOvrvw.htm/ "keywords"] and help readers find a specific topic within a category. Tags help readers identify specific information within a particular post. Posts can have many tags which allow them to be categorized with other posts to make it easier for readers to navigate a blog. A tag name must be specific. For example, if a blog post is about "How to make home made pizza," you would put it under a "cooking" category but one of the tags would be "pizza." Readers can find the tag links under each post. By clicking on the tag links, readers will be taken to an archive where every post related to that tag can be found.

== Descriptive Categories ==

Categories should [http://wiredimpact.com/blog/making-blog-categories-more-useful/ describe] to readers what content they hold without a huge explanation. With each category a blogger creates they must keep in mind the overall [[Narrowcasting|focus]] of their blog and what their readers are looking for. By choosing the right category, you can make it obvious to readers what kind of posts your blog holds. Bloggers have the difficult task of finding the happy medium between a category being too broad or too specific in their description. If the category is too specific it leaves the reader with less choices. However, if it is too broad it will make it difficult for a reader to find what they are looking for and they will move on. When bloggers are brainstorming about how to describe their categories they should keep in mind how it will appear in a search engine. A blog's categories and tags will help readers find the blog they are looking for when using search engines.

== References ==

1. Carroll, Brian. (2010). Writing for Digital Media. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 4 April 2013.

2. [http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2005/09/09/categories-versus-tags-whats-the-difference-and-which-one/ Categories versus Tags] Lorelle On WordPress Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

3. [http://wiredimpact.com/blog/making-blog-categories-more-useful/ Making Blog Categories More Useful] Wired Impact Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

4. [http://weblogs.about.com/od/partsofablog/qt/CategoriesOvrvw.htm/ An Overview of Blog categories] About.com Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

5. [http://frontlinecopy.com/2013/02/how-to-use-categories-tags-keywords-in-your-green-business-blog/ How to use categories, tags & keywords in your green business blog] Frontlinecopy.com Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Themes|Themes]]
*[[Lists|Lists]]
*[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headers and Sub-headers]]
*[[Links|Links]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Themes

2013-05-03T04:58:45Z

AmyRehner: /* See Also */ fixed link

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

According to [http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ Digital Business Consultancy], "A theme will form a big part of how your blog looks, it’s important to get it right." <ref>Digital Business Consultancy</ref> Picking a theme is not just about what is seen on the surface. When picking a theme, bloggers should be aware of all the options. After choosing a theme that fits the focus and desired layout of your blog, there are several attributes to consider within the theme. After considering all the options and making an informed decision, the application process is simple and straight-forward.
===How to pick a theme===
[http://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/selecting-the-perfect-theme-for-wordpress/ Selecting the perfect theme] for a blog is vital to the future success of that blog.The main points to keep in mind when choosing a theme for your topic are compatibility with your focus, search engine optimization, and functionality. Keeping these in mind will help any blogger pick a theme that is right for their topic to provide a successful starting point.

'''The [[Narrowcasting|focus of the blog]]''' is the first thing a blogger should consider when choosing a theme. For example if a blogger is working on a "How to" blog then they will want to pick a blog that is compatible with uploading pictures or video. A good example of a compatible theme for this kind of blog is a [http://www.cssigniter.com/ignite/themes/molly/ Molly Blog WP theme]. If a blogger is looking for a theme that will support a lot of text then a [http://www.elegantthemes.com/gallery/dailyjournal/ Daily journal WP theme] would be ideal because it adapts to any screen's size making it more scan-able and easy to read on any device. Picking a simple yet compatible theme is recommended for easy use in updating and ensures that it will work with multiple browsers. Functionality is key. Busy themes might look good, but they are hard to modify and not always compatible with every browser.

'''Another thing a blogger must consider is the way a theme will appear in a search engine.''' Keeping search engine optimization in mind when picking a theme will give web users a better first impression of that blog.

'''If you want to maintain functionality while creating a little more design''', choose a custom theme. A free theme with a simple, professional design, which can be easily modified, is best when picking a theme. However, be aware of the terms of service. Picking a free theme has its advantages but if you're looking for more support, picking a commercial theme will provide more benefits for a one-time fee.

====Widgets====
Many, but not all, Wordpress themes allow for the use of [http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-widget.htm widgets]. All themes do not offer the same amount of widget space on a blog page. Depending on the nature of a blog, this can be problematic. When browsing through, read the details of themes that fit the style of your blog. Check what widgets are supported, how many are available, and where they may be placed.

[[File:Screen Shot 2013-04-24 at 5.19.28 PM.png|thumb|upright=2|center|Theme details display specs]]
====Color & Background====
Some themes offer the option of changing the color of various elements of the blog including the font and background. In some cases this may include changes in color palette. The ability to edit custom colors will be listed under "features" in the theme details.

====Menus====
Bloggers generally have two options for adding menus to a blog site. Some themes come with menus set in specific areas by default. If this is not an option, many themes support the creation of custom menus. This information is generally included in the [http://theme.wordpress.com/themes/bonpress/ theme details]. To create a custom menu or check for menu support, go to '''Appearance -> Menus''' and make the desired changes.

====Browser compatibility====
Many bloggers make the assumption that because a blog theme works well on one browser, it will work the same on all browsers. This assumption can be dangerous. When searching for a theme, pay attention to the browser compatibility and mobile support. Wordpress provides several [http://theme.wordpress.com/themes/features/responsive-width/ "mobile themes"] that are specifically smartphone-ready. Additionally, many themes offer the option of enabling or disabling mobile themes on your site if the theme is mobile friendly.<ref>Mobile Themes Support</ref>

===Where to get a theme===
Themes for word press can be found on the word press site itself or from outside sources. With websites such as [http://www.rockettheme.com/wordpress-themes RocketTheme],[http://www.woothemes.com/ WooTheme] and [http://smthemes.com/ SMThemes] , finding a theme to fit your desired look is not a problem. They all provide both premium and free themes. Premium themes may differ in price based upon the specs and any special widgets that can be added. If you are unwilling to pay for a theme there are multiple themes that are free that will create the same great look as a premium theme.

===How to apply the theme===
Once a blogger has picked a theme for the blog, the theme must be applied. Depending on the parent website a blogger is using to create and edit their content the application process can vary.

There are many different sites a blogger can chose from to create a blog and apply a theme. [[File: wpll.jpg|thumb|upright=2.0]]

==== Wordpress ====
For [http://www.wordpress.com Wordpress.com] sites, applying a theme is very simple. On the dashboard of your blog, go to Appearance -> Themes.
Once you have chosen a theme, click "activate," and the theme will be applied to your blog.

====Blogger====
Theme installation on [http://www.blogger.com Blogger.com] is slightly more complicated. Depending on which theme, it may entail editing HTML and saving the theme in a zipped folder on your desktop. [http://www.free-themes.org/installing-themes/installing-a-blogger-theme Free-Themes.org] provides detailed instructions.

This process is similar on different blogging sites not mentioned here. Most websites have a detailed step by step process for applying the theme correctly, and formatting it to fit a bloggers desired needs. Be sure to preview the finished blog once the theme has been applied to catch any potential issues with the theme before publishing it.

===Notes===
<references/>

===References===
#[http://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/selecting-the-perfect-theme-for-wordpress/ Selecting the Perfect Theme for WordPress] ''wpbeginner web.'' 25 March 2013. Web. 27 April 2013
#[http://bloggingwordpress.net/2013/02/wordpress-blog-themes.html/ 20+ Simple WordPress Blog Themes for Personal] ''W Blogging web''. 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 27 April 2013
#[http://theme.wordpress.com/ Wordpress Themes for Blogs] ''Wordpress''. Web. 29 April 2013
#[http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ What to Look For in a Wordpress Theme] ''Digital Business Consultancy''. 31 Jan. 2013 Web. 25 April 2013
#[http://www.free-themes.org/installing-themes/installing-a-blogger-theme Free-Themes.org] ''Free-Themes.org''. Web. 27 April 2013
#[http://www.siteground.com/tutorials/wordpress/install_themes.htm How to Install Themes on Wordpress]. ''Site Ground''. Web. 1 May 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Categorizing Posts|Categorizing Posts]]
*[[Lists|Lists]]
*[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headers and Sub-headers]]
*[[Links|Links]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Categorizing Posts

2013-05-03T04:55:47Z

AmyRehner: /* Descriptive Categories */ grammar

Categorizing Posts

2013-05-03T04:50:34Z

AmyRehner: /* Tags */ grammar

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

A blog is organized and structured using categories and tags. Readers searching for information written on a broad topic will benefit more from categories. Those readers looking for a more specific topic will find tags to be more useful because they narrow down the information to a particular topic. Categories and tags will help readers navigate a blog's content easily to find the information they are looking for.

[[Image:Categories-Tags.jpg|thumb|right|alt Frontline.com]]

== Categories ==

[http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2005/09/09/categories-versus-tags-whats-the-difference-and-which-one/ Categories] give readers a broad overview of what kind of content a blog holds so that they can decide if that blog holds the right information for them. When choosing a category for a post, bloggers need to consider the readers that will visit their blog and what needs they might have. Bloggers must find the balance of being specific with a category so that the kind of information it holds is clear without being too broad. Readers must be able to look at categories within a blog and know right away if they are in the right place. One thing bloggers must be cautious about when choosing a category is that they have more than one post that can fit under that category. Displaying a single post within a category will give the readers the impression that the blogger does not know a lot about that subject. On the other hand a blogger doesn't want to make a category so strong and filled with too much information that it will need it's own blog site.

== Tags ==

Tags are similar to [http://weblogs.about.com/od/partsofablog/qt/CategoriesOvrvw.htm/ "keywords"] and help readers find a specific topic within a category. Tags help readers identify specific information within a particular post. Posts can have many tags which allow them to be categorized with other posts to make it easier for readers to navigate a blog. A tag name must be specific. For example, if a blog post is about "How to make home made pizza," you would put it under a "cooking" category but one of the tags would be "pizza." Readers can find the tag links under each post. By clicking on the tag links, readers will be taken to an archive where every post related to that tag can be found.

== Descriptive Categories ==

Categories should [http://wiredimpact.com/blog/making-blog-categories-more-useful/ describe] to readers what content they hold without a huge explanation of them. With each category a blogger creates they must keep in mind the over all focus of their blog and what their readers are looking for. Make it obvious what kind of posts a category holds. Bloggers have the difficult task of finding the happy medium between a category being too broad or too specific in their description. If the category is too specific it leaves the reader with less choices, if it is too broad it will make it difficult for a reader to find what they are looking for and they will move on. When bloggers are brainstorming about how to describe their categories they should keep in mind how it will appear in a search engine. A blogs categories and tags will help readers find the blog they are looking for when using search engines.

== References ==

1. Carroll, Brian. (2010). Writing for Digital Media. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 4 April 2013.

2. [http://lorelle.wordpress.com/2005/09/09/categories-versus-tags-whats-the-difference-and-which-one/ Categories versus Tags] Lorelle On WordPress Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

3. [http://wiredimpact.com/blog/making-blog-categories-more-useful/ Making Blog Categories More Useful] Wired Impact Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

4. [http://weblogs.about.com/od/partsofablog/qt/CategoriesOvrvw.htm/ An Overview of Blog categories] About.com Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

5. [http://frontlinecopy.com/2013/02/how-to-use-categories-tags-keywords-in-your-green-business-blog/ How to use categories, tags & keywords in your green business blog] Frontlinecopy.com Web. Retrieved 9 April 2013.

[[Category:New Media]]

Themes

2013-05-03T04:45:51Z

AmyRehner: image formatting

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

According to [http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ Digital Business Consultancy], "A theme will form a big part of how your blog looks, it’s important to get it right." <ref>Digital Business Consultancy</ref> Picking a theme is not just about what is seen on the surface. When picking a theme, bloggers should be aware of all the options. After choosing a theme that fits the focus and desired layout of your blog, there are several attributes to consider within the theme. After considering all the options and making an informed decision, the application process is simple and straight-forward.
===How to pick a theme===
[http://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/selecting-the-perfect-theme-for-wordpress/ Selecting the perfect theme] for a blog is vital to the future success of that blog.The main points to keep in mind when choosing a theme for your topic are compatibility with your focus, search engine optimization, and functionality. Keeping these in mind will help any blogger pick a theme that is right for their topic to provide a successful starting point.

'''The [[Narrowcasting|focus of the blog]]''' is the first thing a blogger should consider when choosing a theme. For example if a blogger is working on a "How to" blog then they will want to pick a blog that is compatible with uploading pictures or video. A good example of a compatible theme for this kind of blog is a [http://www.cssigniter.com/ignite/themes/molly/ Molly Blog WP theme]. If a blogger is looking for a theme that will support a lot of text then a [http://www.elegantthemes.com/gallery/dailyjournal/ Daily journal WP theme] would be ideal because it adapts to any screen's size making it more scan-able and easy to read on any device. Picking a simple yet compatible theme is recommended for easy use in updating and ensures that it will work with multiple browsers. Functionality is key. Busy themes might look good, but they are hard to modify and not always compatible with every browser.

'''Another thing a blogger must consider is the way a theme will appear in a search engine.''' Keeping search engine optimization in mind when picking a theme will give web users a better first impression of that blog.

'''If you want to maintain functionality while creating a little more design''', choose a custom theme. A free theme with a simple, professional design, which can be easily modified, is best when picking a theme. However, be aware of the terms of service. Picking a free theme has its advantages but if you're looking for more support, picking a commercial theme will provide more benefits for a one-time fee.

====Widgets====
Many, but not all, Wordpress themes allow for the use of [http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-widget.htm widgets]. All themes do not offer the same amount of widget space on a blog page. Depending on the nature of a blog, this can be problematic. When browsing through, read the details of themes that fit the style of your blog. Check what widgets are supported, how many are available, and where they may be placed.

[[File:Screen Shot 2013-04-24 at 5.19.28 PM.png|thumb|upright=2|center|Theme details display specs]]
====Color & Background====
Some themes offer the option of changing the color of various elements of the blog including the font and background. In some cases this may include changes in color palette. The ability to edit custom colors will be listed under "features" in the theme details.

====Menus====
Bloggers generally have two options for adding menus to a blog site. Some themes come with menus set in specific areas by default. If this is not an option, many themes support the creation of custom menus. This information is generally included in the [http://theme.wordpress.com/themes/bonpress/ theme details]. To create a custom menu or check for menu support, go to '''Appearance -> Menus''' and make the desired changes.

====Browser compatibility====
Many bloggers make the assumption that because a blog theme works well on one browser, it will work the same on all browsers. This assumption can be dangerous. When searching for a theme, pay attention to the browser compatibility and mobile support. Wordpress provides several [http://theme.wordpress.com/themes/features/responsive-width/ "mobile themes"] that are specifically smartphone-ready. Additionally, many themes offer the option of enabling or disabling mobile themes on your site if the theme is mobile friendly.<ref>Mobile Themes Support</ref>

===Where to get a theme===
Themes for word press can be found on the word press site itself or from outside sources. With websites such as [http://www.rockettheme.com/wordpress-themes RocketTheme],[http://www.woothemes.com/ WooTheme] and [http://smthemes.com/ SMThemes] , finding a theme to fit your desired look is not a problem. They all provide both premium and free themes. Premium themes may differ in price based upon the specs and any special widgets that can be added. If you are unwilling to pay for a theme there are multiple themes that are free that will create the same great look as a premium theme.

===How to apply the theme===
Once a blogger has picked a theme for the blog, the theme must be applied. Depending on the parent website a blogger is using to create and edit their content the application process can vary.

There are many different sites a blogger can chose from to create a blog and apply a theme. [[File: wpll.jpg|thumb|upright=2.0]]

==== Wordpress ====
For [http://www.wordpress.com Wordpress.com] sites, applying a theme is very simple. On the dashboard of your blog, go to Appearance -> Themes.
Once you have chosen a theme, click "activate," and the theme will be applied to your blog.

====Blogger====
Theme installation on [http://www.blogger.com Blogger.com] is slightly more complicated. Depending on which theme, it may entail editing HTML and saving the theme in a zipped folder on your desktop. [http://www.free-themes.org/installing-themes/installing-a-blogger-theme Free-Themes.org] provides detailed instructions.

This process is similar on different blogging sites not mentioned here. Most websites have a detailed step by step process for applying the theme correctly, and formatting it to fit a bloggers desired needs. Be sure to preview the finished blog once the theme has been applied to catch any potential issues with the theme before publishing it.

===Notes===
<references/>

===References===
#[http://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/selecting-the-perfect-theme-for-wordpress/ Selecting the Perfect Theme for WordPress] ''wpbeginner web.'' 25 March 2013. Web. 27 April 2013
#[http://bloggingwordpress.net/2013/02/wordpress-blog-themes.html/ 20+ Simple WordPress Blog Themes for Personal] ''W Blogging web''. 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 27 April 2013
#[http://theme.wordpress.com/ Wordpress Themes for Blogs] ''Wordpress''. Web. 29 April 2013
#[http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ What to Look For in a Wordpress Theme] ''Digital Business Consultancy''. 31 Jan. 2013 Web. 25 April 2013
#[http://www.free-themes.org/installing-themes/installing-a-blogger-theme Free-Themes.org] ''Free-Themes.org''. Web. 27 April 2013
#[http://www.siteground.com/tutorials/wordpress/install_themes.htm How to Install Themes on Wordpress]. ''Site Ground''. Web. 1 May 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Categorizing Posts|Categorizing Posts]]
*[[Lists|Links]]
*[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headers and Sub-headers]]
*[[Links|Links]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Themes

2013-05-03T04:41:06Z

AmyRehner: /* How to pick a theme */ formatting and grammar

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

According to [http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ Digital Business Consultancy], "A theme will form a big part of how your blog looks, it’s important to get it right." <ref>Digital Business Consultancy</ref> Picking a theme is not just about what is seen on the surface. When picking a theme, bloggers should be aware of all the options. After choosing a theme that fits the focus and desired layout of your blog, there are several attributes to consider within the theme. After considering all the options and making an informed decision, the application process is simple and straight-forward.
===How to pick a theme===
[http://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/selecting-the-perfect-theme-for-wordpress/ Selecting the perfect theme] for a blog is vital to the future success of that blog.The main points to keep in mind when choosing a theme for your topic are compatibility with your focus, search engine optimization, and functionality. Keeping these in mind will help any blogger pick a theme that is right for their topic to provide a successful starting point.

'''The [[Narrowcasting|focus of the blog]]''' is the first thing a blogger should consider when choosing a theme. For example if a blogger is working on a "How to" blog then they will want to pick a blog that is compatible with uploading pictures or video. A good example of a compatible theme for this kind of blog is a [http://www.cssigniter.com/ignite/themes/molly/ Molly Blog WP theme]. If a blogger is looking for a theme that will support a lot of text then a [http://www.elegantthemes.com/gallery/dailyjournal/ Daily journal WP theme] would be ideal because it adapts to any screen's size making it more scan-able and easy to read on any device. Picking a simple yet compatible theme is recommended for easy use in updating and ensures that it will work with multiple browsers. Functionality is key. Busy themes might look good, but they are hard to modify and not always compatible with every browser.

'''Another thing a blogger must consider is the way a theme will appear in a search engine.''' Keeping search engine optimization in mind when picking a theme will give web users a better first impression of that blog.

'''If you want to maintain functionality while creating a little more design''', choose a custom theme. A free theme with a simple, professional design, which can be easily modified, is best when picking a theme. However, be aware of the terms of service. Picking a free theme has its advantages but if you're looking for more support, picking a commercial theme will provide more benefits for a one-time fee.

[[File:Screen Shot 2013-04-24 at 5.19.28 PM.png|thumb|upright=2.6|Theme details display specs]]

====Widgets====
Many, but not all, Wordpress themes allow for the use of [http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-a-widget.htm widgets]. All themes do not offer the same amount of widget space on a blog page. Depending on the nature of a blog, this can be problematic. When browsing through, read the details of themes that fit the style of your blog. Check what widgets are supported, how many are available, and where they may be placed.

====Color & Background====
Some themes offer the option of changing the color of various elements of the blog including the font and background. In some cases this may include changes in color palette. The ability to edit custom colors will be listed under "features" in the theme details.

====Menus====
Bloggers generally have two options for adding menus to a blog site. Some themes come with menus set in specific areas by default. If this is not an option, many themes support the creation of custom menus. This information is generally included in the [http://theme.wordpress.com/themes/bonpress/ theme details]. To create a custom menu or check for menu support, go to '''Appearance -> Menus''' and make the desired changes.

====Browser compatibility====
Many bloggers make the assumption that because a blog theme works well on one browser, it will work the same on all browsers. This assumption can be dangerous. When searching for a theme, pay attention to the browser compatibility and mobile support. Wordpress provides several [http://theme.wordpress.com/themes/features/responsive-width/ "mobile themes"] that are specifically smartphone-ready. Additionally, many themes offer the option of enabling or disabling mobile themes on your site if the theme is mobile friendly.<ref>Mobile Themes Support</ref>

===Where to get a theme===
Themes for word press can be found on the word press site itself or from outside sources. With websites such as [http://www.rockettheme.com/wordpress-themes RocketTheme],[http://www.woothemes.com/ WooTheme] and [http://smthemes.com/ SMThemes] , finding a theme to fit your desired look is not a problem. They all provide both premium and free themes. Premium themes may differ in price based upon the specs and any special widgets that can be added. If you are unwilling to pay for a theme there are multiple themes that are free that will create the same great look as a premium theme.

===How to apply the theme===
Once a blogger has picked a theme for the blog, the theme must be applied. Depending on the parent website a blogger is using to create and edit their content the application process can vary.

There are many different sites a blogger can chose from to create a blog and apply a theme. [[File: wpll.jpg|thumb|upright=2.0]]

==== Wordpress ====
For [http://www.wordpress.com Wordpress.com] sites, applying a theme is very simple. On the dashboard of your blog, go to Appearance -> Themes.
Once you have chosen a theme, click "activate," and the theme will be applied to your blog.

====Blogger====
Theme installation on [http://www.blogger.com Blogger.com] is slightly more complicated. Depending on which theme, it may entail editing HTML and saving the theme in a zipped folder on your desktop. [http://www.free-themes.org/installing-themes/installing-a-blogger-theme Free-Themes.org] provides detailed instructions.

This process is similar on different blogging sites not mentioned here. Most websites have a detailed step by step process for applying the theme correctly, and formatting it to fit a bloggers desired needs. Be sure to preview the finished blog once the theme has been applied to catch any potential issues with the theme before publishing it.

===Notes===
<references/>

===References===
#[http://www.wpbeginner.com/wp-themes/selecting-the-perfect-theme-for-wordpress/ Selecting the Perfect Theme for WordPress] ''wpbeginner web.'' 25 March 2013. Web. 27 April 2013
#[http://bloggingwordpress.net/2013/02/wordpress-blog-themes.html/ 20+ Simple WordPress Blog Themes for Personal] ''W Blogging web''. 19 Feb. 2013. Web. 27 April 2013
#[http://theme.wordpress.com/ Wordpress Themes for Blogs] ''Wordpress''. Web. 29 April 2013
#[http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ What to Look For in a Wordpress Theme] ''Digital Business Consultancy''. 31 Jan. 2013 Web. 25 April 2013
#[http://www.free-themes.org/installing-themes/installing-a-blogger-theme Free-Themes.org] ''Free-Themes.org''. Web. 27 April 2013
#[http://www.siteground.com/tutorials/wordpress/install_themes.htm How to Install Themes on Wordpress]. ''Site Ground''. Web. 1 May 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Categorizing Posts|Categorizing Posts]]
*[[Lists|Links]]
*[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headers and Sub-headers]]
*[[Links|Links]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Blog Writing for College Students

2013-05-03T04:20:47Z

AmyRehner: /* Themes */ formatting

Blogging is a platform that "democratiz[es] the means of production<ref> Boal, Augusto</ref>." [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augusto_Boal Augusto Boal's] revolutionary text pertaining to his participatory theatre project, [http://mellonseminaremotions.wikispaces.com/file/view/Boal+Agusto-Theatre+of+the+Oppressed.pdf The Theatre of the Oppressed], explores methods that are relevant to how the Internet provides the platform, or stage, for decentralized content. So in this vein, blog writing requires attention to focus, organization, and writing style in order for the college student to thrive in the new media realm.

==Focus==
The planning stage of creating a blog begins by developing a focus. Developing a focus involves [[narrowcasting]]. Important aspects of narrowcasting include [[Choosing Your Topic|choosing a topic]], [[Research Methods|researching]], setting [[participation]] standards, and identifying a target [[audience]]. By choosing a focused topic, researching to establish authority, developing relevant means of participation for the interactive needs of the audience, and knowing the targeted audience the college student will be prepared to create blog content within a platform that will be most engaging. The best blogs are highly specific<ref>Carrol, 163</ref>. Devoting time to developing focus strengthens a blog's chance at thriving in the digital world.

===[[Narrowcasting|Narrowcasting]]===

Narrowcasting for blog writing involves aiming the focus of the blog to a highly specific audience. A blog's audience is inherently fragmented. To reach an audience effectively requires providing in-depth information and perspectives on very specific topics to attain and retain a niche audience. Understanding the importance of narrowcasting and how to implement these conventions will benefit the college blogger. By understanding the importance of structuring a blog around narrowcasting conventions, the college blogger will be well-prepared to succeed and reach their target audience within the the digital literary landscape.

===[[Choosing Your Topic|Choosing Your Topic]]===
Choosing a focused topic is essential to the success of the overall blog. A topic expresses one essential idea within writing and unifies each successive post. At first, a specific topic may seem to confine creativity, but focusing the topic actually provides endless creative possibilities. A focused topic encourages the audience to engage more actively and interact as a part of a blog community, ultimately enhancing the popularity of the blog.

===[[Research Methods|Research Methods]]===
Research is the process of gathering information, evaluating it, and applying it to a question or problem. When writing for digital media, research allows writers to narrow their focus. Having a narrow focus makes a blog more interesting and the writer an expert on the topic.

===[[Participation|Participation]]===
When starting a blog, it is important the blog author knows how to encourage participation with not only other bloggers, but the readers. Participation is more than just writing in a clean and concise manner. Blog authors must understand that a blog does not operate in a vacuum, but instead is a piece of a vast branching network. Blogrolls, share buttons, and enabling comments are a few ways to increase participation.

===[[Audience|Audience]]===

Before creating content for a blog, it is important, first, to identify the audience. The blog author should define the target audience, research the target audience, and understand the conventions expected in terms of language, design, and credibility before creating content. In this way, the author will be able to build toward an interactive community based on shared points of view and relevancy in order to engage the targeted reader with pertinent information and sources.

==Organization ==
To maintain readership of a blog, a writer must create an organized space. Quality content can easily be overlooked on a cluttered, inconsistent page. Organization includes the overall structure of the site as well as the individual posts. There are several things that contribute to this consistency.[[Categorizing Posts | Categories and tags]] aid in narrowing the focus of each post within the blog. [[Headers and Sub-headers | Headers and sub-headers]] should give the reader a clear indication of what is contained in each section. By using [[Lists | lists]], digital media writers can highlight important content, break up posts, and guide readers through a sequence of information. [[Links | Links]] connect the page to other sites on the internet and offer access to other portions of the blog. All of these elements support the structure of an organized, consistent environment for content.

===[[Themes|Themes]]===
According to [http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ Digital Business Consultancy], "A theme will form a big part of how your blog looks, it’s important to get it right<ref>http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ </ref>." Picking a theme is not just about what is seen on the surface. When picking a theme, bloggers should be aware of all their options. After choosing a theme that fits the focus and desired layout of your blog, there are several attributes to consider within the theme. After considering all the options and making an informed decision, the application process is simple and straight-forward.

===[[Categorizing Posts|Categorizing Posts]]===

Categorizing a post is vital to the structure and organization of a blog. Categories help readers quickly identify the content of a blog. Tags provide specific information while grouping together like posts. Together categories and tags make it easier for readers to navigate the information within a blog.

===[[Headers and Sub-headers|Headers and Sub-headers]] ===

Headers and sub-headers are an important part of blogging used to organize content. Keeping in mind the goals and vision of the blog, headers and sub-headers help readers find specific information in a short amount of time.

===[[Lists|Lists]] ===
While developing a blog, lists can be used to not only emphasize subjects, but highlight important texts. It is imperative that the blog remain focused on its subject and has clarity. Lists help a reader to navigate the posts successfully and easily. Lists can also be detrimental to a blog if overused or incorrectly formatted. In digital Media a mistake like that can costs readers and credibility.

===[[Links|Links]]===
No page on the internet stands alone. The connection of sites on the internet is what makes the web interactive. Links play a vital role in maintaining this interactivity. By connecting to other areas of the internet, readers are given access to an unlimited pool of information.

==Writing Style==
After choosing a well-researched and focused topic and organizing the aesthetic and technical aspects of running a blog, blog writers must develop a consistent style for writing for digital media. It is crucial to keep in mind that online writing is an entirely different world separate from print. With the freedom digital media allows writers, there are also certain responsibilities that must be maintained in order for a blog to be effective at appealing to readers. Though writing for digital media encompasses writing techniques that are useful in print media (like following the [[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]] and [[proofreading|proofreading]] your posts), there are also key differences. Blogs must be [[Scan-ability|scannable]], because digital readers do not like to have to read without direction. While writing for a blog, less is typically more and [[brevity | brevity]] is admired. Following these writing techniques will help lead to the development of a credible an appealing blog.

===[[Foundational Writing Skills|Foundational Writing Skills]]===

===[[Scan-ability|Scan-ability]]===
If digital writing is not scannable, many times it will not be read. Writers of digital media must pay special attention to scan-ability because readers of digital writing are known to be easily distracted, impatient, and unwilling to read huge blocks of text. Digital writers must understand and utilize different properties of text, visuals, multimedia, and linking to maximize scan-ability.

===[[Brevity|Brevity]]===
Brevity is critical for meaningful writing. By forcing the writer to be intentional with their words and always being brief, precise, and direct a writer is less likely to ramble and lose the reader.

===[[Inverted Pyramid|Inverted Pyramid]]===

College student bloggers should familiarize themselves with the inverted pyramid. This design for news and information delivery via the web will help new bloggers quickly achieve [[brevity]] while communicating in a concise way. The inverted pyramid is important to the retention of a blog's audience.

===[[Proofreading|Proofreading]]===

Proofreading is essential for all writing. It requires reviewing and revising mistakes for a flawless and error free document. Proofreading for mistakes gives creditability to your document and will not distract readers with mistakes.

==Notes==
<references/>

==References==
#Boal, Augusto. (2005). [http://www.democracynow.org/2005/6/3/famed_brazilian_artist_augusto_boal_on Famed Brazilian Artist Augusto Boal on the "Theatre of the Oppressed"]. Democracy Now: A Daily Independent Global News Hour with Amy Goodman & Juan González. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
#Carrol, Brian. (2010). [http://www.scribd.com/doc/64429015/Writing-for-Digital-Media Writing for Digital Media]. New York: Routledge. Retrieved 14 March 2013.
#[http://digitalbusinessconsultancy.com/what-to-look-for-in-a-wordpress-theme/ What to Look For in a Wordpress Theme] ''Digital Business Consultancy''. 31 Jan. 2013 Web. 25 April 2013
[[Category:New Media]]

Participation

2013-05-03T04:16:24Z

AmyRehner: grammar

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

When starting a blog, it is important to know how to encourage participation with not only other bloggers, but the readers. Short sentences, active voice, and presenting information in a [http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Inverted_Pyramid pyramid format] help to convey content clearly to readers<ref group=>Carroll, 24</ref>. However, participation is more than just writing in a clean, [http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Brevity concise] manner. Blog authors must understand that a blog does not operate in a vacuum, but instead is a piece of a vast branching network.

== Interact with Other Bloggers ==
Blog readers, indeed most web users, do not just randomly access content on the internet. Users are searching for specific information when they get on the web, and likely will only find blogs via a search engine by typing in key words[http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7323316]<ref group=>Lawrence, Sides, Farrell. "Self-Segregation or Deliberation? Blog Readership, Participation, and Polarization in American Politics."</ref>. Most likely, users happen upon blogs via another blog they go to for specific information that has a blog hyperlinked[http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7323316]<ref group=>Lawrence, Sides, Farrell. "Self-Segregation or Deliberation? Blog Readership, Participation, and Polarization in American Politics."</ref>. In this respect, it is important that bloggers consider interacting with blogs that share a similar niche [[Choosing Your Topic|topic]]. One way to participate with other bloggers is to search for blogs with a similar topic, then add it to a blogroll[http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/04/blogs-need-comments/]<ref group=>Constine. "Do Blogs Need Comment Reels? Yes, and Here's How."</ref>. Providing links to these blogs in posts may also encourage the blogger to respond. Consider following and commenting on other blogs. These comments should be thoughtful and follow proper etiquette[http://financialbloggerconference.com/a-primer-on-blogging-etiquette]<ref group=>Post. "A Primer on Blogging Etiquette."</ref>.

[[File:TwitWid.png|thumb|upright=.6|Twitter Widget (Verizon Forum)]]
== Social Media Widgets ==
Having social media share widgets will help spread the blog’s content throughout the web. When users click the share button, the blog post will show up in their status updates, where the blog’s content will be seen by the reader’s friends and followers. Websites that enable a Twitter sharing generate up to seven times more mentions than websites that do not[http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220720#ixzz2P218v72T]<ref group=>Handley. "How to Increase Social Sharing to Generate More Leads."</ref>. To activate social media share buttons, go to the widgets area of your dashboard. Consider, too, providing widgets to your social networking sites. This allows the reader to connect with you on those sites, and gives a sense that the blog author is accessible.

== Enable Comments ==
[[File:wordpress_comment_form.png|thumb|upright=1.3| [http://olykrap.com Wordpress Comment Form]]]

Enabling comments on your blog shows readers that you value their participation[http://digitallearning.macfound.org/atf/cf/%7B7E45C7E0-A3E0-4B89-AC9C-E807E1B0AE4E%7D/JENKINS_WHITE_PAPER.PDF]<ref group=>Jenkins, White. "Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century."</ref>. Replying to readers’ comments also helps to engage readers. Consider adding a subscribe to comments button, so readers will receive email notifications of new comments.
*“Comments keep bloggers humble, honest, accurate, and in touch with their audience.” - Josh Constine[http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/04/blogs-need-comments/]<ref group=>Constine. "Do Blogs Need Comment Reels? Yes, and Here's How."</ref>
Having most recent comments appear at the top of the comment section makes it easier for readers to access newer comments [http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/wordpress/hacks-user-interactivity/ 9 WordPress Hacks to Encourage User Interactivity]<ref group=>Snell. "9 WordPress Hacks to Encourage User Interactivity."</ref>.

== Notes ==
<references/>

== References ==
*Carroll, Brian. "Writing for Digital Media." Routledge; New York, 2010.
*Constine, Josh. [http://techcrunch.com/2012/01/04/blogs-need-comments/ Do Blogs Need Comment Reels? Yes, and Here's How.] ''TechCrunch.'' January 4, 2012. Web. March 31, 2013
*Handley, Ann. [http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220720#ixzz2P218v72T How to Increase Social Sharing to Generate More Leads.] ''Entrepreneur.'' December 2011. Web. March 30, 2013
*Jenkins, Henry. [http://digitallearning.macfound.org/atf/cf/%7B7E45C7E0-A3E0-4B89-AC9C-E807E1B0AE4E%7D/JENKINS_WHITE_PAPER.PDF Confronting the Challenges of Participatory Culture: Media Education for the 21st Century.] ''Building the Field of Media and Learning.'' MacArthur Foundation. 2006. Web. April 11, 2013
*Lawrence, Eric; Sides, J.; Farrell, H. [http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=7323316 Self-Segregation or Deliberation? Blog Readership, Participation, and Polarization in American Politics.] ''Perspectives on Politics.'' 8:1. p. 141-157. March 2010. Web. April 11, 2013.
*Post, Emily. [http://financialbloggerconference.com/a-primer-on-blogging-etiquette A Primer on Blogging Etiquette.] ''Financial Blogger Conference''. December 5, 2012. Web. 31 March 2013.
*Snell, Steven. [http://vandelaydesign.com/blog/wordpress/hacks-user-interactivity/ 9 WordPress Hacks to Encourage User Interactivity]. ''Vandalay Design.'' August 24, 2009. Web. 31 March 2013.

== See Also ==
*[[Narrowcasting]]
*[http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Choosing_Your_Topic Choosing Your Topic]
*[http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Research_Methods Research Methods]
*[http://litmuse.maconstate.edu/litwiki/index.php/Audience Audience]

[[Category:New Media]]

Research Methods

2013-05-03T04:09:05Z

AmyRehner: /* Gain insight on the targeted audience Carroll, 101 */ link

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

Research is the process of gathering information, evaluating it, and applying it to a question or problem.<ref>http://guides.maconstate.edu/research</ref> When writing for digital media, research allows writers to narrow their focus. Having a narrow focus makes a blog more interesting and the writer an expert on the topic. Web searches on [http://www.google.com Google] and [http://www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia] allow blog writers to gather more information on their selected topic, discover what other bloggers have already written, and gain more insight on their targeted audience. Do not limit research to online sources, articles, books, and scholarly journals can also be useful sources of information.

==Gather information<ref> Carroll, 16</ref>==
Writing about a specific [[Choosing Your Topic|topic]] does not automatically make a person an expert in the field. Initially, conducting very broad web searches on a specific topic will generate a great deal of information. It is best to browse through these websites to get a general overview of the topic. When writing a blog it is important to consider the specific purpose of the writing.<ref>Carroll, 16</ref> After gaining a general overview of the topic, the next step is selecting a specific aspect or view point on the topic to write about. The more focused the topic the more interesting the blog will be.

==What others have already written==
Review the information that other writers for digital media have written on that specific topic. No one wants to read the same thing twice. When reviewing others' writings on a specific subject, look for ways to add to what has been written, present an opposing position to what has been written, or conceptualize an entirely new perspective on the subject. Researching a specific topic in great depth allows the writer to find their own unique niche on that subject. Research allows the writer to narrow their focus even more- giving them an advantage to be even more of an expert in that field.

==Gain insight on the targeted audience<ref> Carroll, 101</ref>==
Researching blogs with similar focus will give the writer a better understanding of their intended [[audience]]. When writing a blog it is important to be aware of the intended audiences occupational categories, demographics, gender,culture, and age. <ref>Carroll, 101</ref> Brian Carroll states, " Think about the kind of sites, publications and documents your audience is accustomed to reading". <ref>Carroll, 101</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>
==References==
#Carroll, Brian. "Writing for Digital Media." Routledge; New York, 2010.*
#Lucas, Gerald R., Dr. "Choosing a Blog Topic." LitMUSE. N.p., 4 Feb. 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. <http://litmuse.net/resources/digital-media/choosing-a-blog-topic>.
#Williams, Ann. "The Research Process: Step-by-Step Tags: Advanced, Apa, Chicago, Citations, Composition, Critical Thinking, English, General, History, Interdisciplinary, Learning Support, Mla, Mscc, Plagiarism, Primary Sources, Reference, Writing ." LibGuides at Macon State College. N.p., 4 Apr. 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. <http://guides.maconstate.edu/research>.

==See Also==
*[[Narrowcasting]]
*[[Choosing Your Topic]]
*[[Participation]]
*[[Audience]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Research Methods

2013-05-03T04:08:22Z

AmyRehner: /* What others have already written */ grammar

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

Research is the process of gathering information, evaluating it, and applying it to a question or problem.<ref>http://guides.maconstate.edu/research</ref> When writing for digital media, research allows writers to narrow their focus. Having a narrow focus makes a blog more interesting and the writer an expert on the topic. Web searches on [http://www.google.com Google] and [http://www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia] allow blog writers to gather more information on their selected topic, discover what other bloggers have already written, and gain more insight on their targeted audience. Do not limit research to online sources, articles, books, and scholarly journals can also be useful sources of information.

==Gather information<ref> Carroll, 16</ref>==
Writing about a specific [[Choosing Your Topic|topic]] does not automatically make a person an expert in the field. Initially, conducting very broad web searches on a specific topic will generate a great deal of information. It is best to browse through these websites to get a general overview of the topic. When writing a blog it is important to consider the specific purpose of the writing.<ref>Carroll, 16</ref> After gaining a general overview of the topic, the next step is selecting a specific aspect or view point on the topic to write about. The more focused the topic the more interesting the blog will be.

==What others have already written==
Review the information that other writers for digital media have written on that specific topic. No one wants to read the same thing twice. When reviewing others' writings on a specific subject, look for ways to add to what has been written, present an opposing position to what has been written, or conceptualize an entirely new perspective on the subject. Researching a specific topic in great depth allows the writer to find their own unique niche on that subject. Research allows the writer to narrow their focus even more- giving them an advantage to be even more of an expert in that field.

==Gain insight on the targeted audience<ref> Carroll, 101</ref>==
Researching blogs with similar focus will give the writer a better understanding of their intended audience. When writing a blog it is important to be aware of the intended audiences occupational categories, demographics, gender,culture, and age. <ref>Carroll, 101</ref> Brian Carroll states, " Think about the kind of sites, publications and documents your audience is accustomed to reading". <ref>Carroll, 101</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>
==References==
#Carroll, Brian. "Writing for Digital Media." Routledge; New York, 2010.*
#Lucas, Gerald R., Dr. "Choosing a Blog Topic." LitMUSE. N.p., 4 Feb. 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. <http://litmuse.net/resources/digital-media/choosing-a-blog-topic>.
#Williams, Ann. "The Research Process: Step-by-Step Tags: Advanced, Apa, Chicago, Citations, Composition, Critical Thinking, English, General, History, Interdisciplinary, Learning Support, Mla, Mscc, Plagiarism, Primary Sources, Reference, Writing ." LibGuides at Macon State College. N.p., 4 Apr. 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. <http://guides.maconstate.edu/research>.

==See Also==
*[[Narrowcasting]]
*[[Choosing Your Topic]]
*[[Participation]]
*[[Audience]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Research Methods

2013-05-03T04:00:50Z

AmyRehner: /* Gather information Carroll, 16 */ links

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

Research is the process of gathering information, evaluating it, and applying it to a question or problem.<ref>http://guides.maconstate.edu/research</ref> When writing for digital media, research allows writers to narrow their focus. Having a narrow focus makes a blog more interesting and the writer an expert on the topic. Web searches on [http://www.google.com Google] and [http://www.wikipedia.org Wikipedia] allow blog writers to gather more information on their selected topic, discover what other bloggers have already written, and gain more insight on their targeted audience. Do not limit research to online sources, articles, books, and scholarly journals can also be useful sources of information.

==Gather information<ref> Carroll, 16</ref>==
Writing about a specific [[Choosing Your Topic|topic]] does not automatically make a person an expert in the field. Initially, conducting very broad web searches on a specific topic will generate a great deal of information. It is best to browse through these websites to get a general overview of the topic. When writing a blog it is important to consider the specific purpose of the writing.<ref>Carroll, 16</ref> After gaining a general overview of the topic, the next step is selecting a specific aspect or view point on the topic to write about. The more focused the topic the more interesting the blog will be.

==What others have already written==
Review the information that other writers for digital media have written on that specific topic. No one wants to read the same thing twice. When reviewing others' writings on a specific subject, look for ways to add to what has been written, an opposing position to what has been written, or an entirely new perspective on the subject. Researching a specific topic in great depth allows the writer to find their own unique niche on that subject. Research allows the writer to narrow their focus even more- giving them an advantage to be even more of an expert in that field.
==Gain insight on the targeted audience<ref> Carroll, 101</ref>==
Researching blogs with similar focus will give the writer a better understanding of their intended audience. When writing a blog it is important to be aware of the intended audiences occupational categories, demographics, gender,culture, and age. <ref>Carroll, 101</ref> Brian Carroll states, " Think about the kind of sites, publications and documents your audience is accustomed to reading". <ref>Carroll, 101</ref>

==Notes==
<references/>
==References==
#Carroll, Brian. "Writing for Digital Media." Routledge; New York, 2010.*
#Lucas, Gerald R., Dr. "Choosing a Blog Topic." LitMUSE. N.p., 4 Feb. 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. <http://litmuse.net/resources/digital-media/choosing-a-blog-topic>.
#Williams, Ann. "The Research Process: Step-by-Step Tags: Advanced, Apa, Chicago, Citations, Composition, Critical Thinking, English, General, History, Interdisciplinary, Learning Support, Mla, Mscc, Plagiarism, Primary Sources, Reference, Writing ." LibGuides at Macon State College. N.p., 4 Apr. 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2013. <http://guides.maconstate.edu/research>.

==See Also==
*[[Narrowcasting]]
*[[Choosing Your Topic]]
*[[Participation]]
*[[Audience]]

[[Category:New Media]]

Choosing Your Topic

2013-05-03T03:44:35Z

AmyRehner: /* Look for Inspiration */ links

[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]]

Choosing a worthy topic is essential to the success of the overall blog <ref group=>Carroll, 140</ref><ref group=>Rehner, "Choosing Your Blog Topic"</ref>. A topic expresses one essential idea within writing and unifies each successive post <ref group=>Loos, "What is a Topic?"</ref>. At first, a specific topic may seem to confine creativity, but focusing the topic actually provides endless creative possibilities <ref group=>Trunk, "Blogs Without Topics are a Waste of Time"</ref>. A focused topic encourages the audience to engage more actively and interact as a part of a blog community <ref group=>Gardner,"Niche Blogging"</ref>, ultimately enhancing the popularity of the blog. Creating a successful blog topic can take a significant amount of forethought and preparation and encompasses brainstorming, focus, assessment, and finalization.

[[File:Technology-blogs.png|thumb|upright=3| http://www.bloggingways.net/2013/01/top-10-blog-topics-make-more-money-2013.html]]

== Brainstorm==
Brainstorming transforms creativity into [http://library.deerfield.edu/research_guides/us_history/topic_worksheet.pdf organizational thought]. Individual brainstorming encourages writers to pour out their ideas in order to focus and reorganize them into a cohesive concept through personalization and brainstorming methods<ref group=>Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"</ref>.

===Personalize It===
#Write down personal interests, dislikes, and topics that appeal to you. With a little introspection you can analyze and learn about yourself, your disciplines or “something that helps define your personality” <ref group=>Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"</ref> and your passions.
#Make sure you must have experience involving your topic ideas in order to establish credibility within your writing. Consider your personal experiences and how they have shaped who you are and your writing style, your opinions, as well as your qualifications.
#Use your personal character <ref group=>Archuleta, "How to Write a Personal Statement"</ref> to your advantage when brainstorming in order to allow the audience to understand a little more about you. This transparency will not only make you relatable online, but will also help identify your specific [[Audience]] and blogging community.

===Use a Method===
With so many possible topics to consider, it may be beneficial to use brainstorming methods in order to produce an organized and manageable view of your ideas. These methods allow you to break down unmanageable and overwhelming ideas into their essential parts.

*Mind Mapping
This [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_concept_mapping_and_mind_mapping_software method] begins with a central idea and builds outward, incorporating all possible related topic ideas. The Mind Mapping <ref group=>Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"</ref> Method encourages you to “get out of the realm of words alone and see how different spatial representations might help you see the relationships among your ideas" <ref group=>The Writing Center, "Brainstorming"</ref>.

[[File:MindMap.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35| http://blog.iqmatrix.com/how-to-mind-map]]

*Free Writing
Free Writing <ref group=>Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"</ref> is another useful method, especially when facing writer’s block, where writing starts and it does not stop. This method encourages continual thought through nonsensical ideas and pure imagination.

*Thinking Outside the Box
Thinking Outside the Box <ref group=>Mind Tools Ltd., "Brainstorming"</ref> is a technique where you try to understand a concept from a different perspective and then relate it back to your initial idea. For example, imagine for a moment that you are writing about your own culture. Think of all the different possible meanings for culture, such as a bacterial culture or referring to a refined group of people, and try to relate those concepts back to your original topic. Often, this method gives you a different perspective than you may have originally identified.

==Focus the Niche==
When a topic is narrowed and focused<ref group=>Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"</ref> into a niche, the writer can express more expertise on the subject, connect with more readers and, essentially, attract like-minded people. In order to find your blog niche, focus on your blog’s purpose, differentiation and inspiration.

===Plan the Purpose===
Your blog’s purpose<ref group=>Gunelius, "Top 10 Reasons to Start a Blog"</ref> should focus the [[Readability|Writing Style]] of the blog subsequently helping to identify your [[Audience]]. Some purposes might include the following:
* Educate yourself
* Educate others
* [[Research Methods|Research]] a particular topic
* Learn through communicative discussion and debate
* Help other people with similar problems
* Convince others to support a particular cause
* Promote a particular cause
* Network with like-minded people
* Establish yourself within your profession
* Earn a profit

===Differentiate the Topic===
Another aspect to consider in narrowing your topic is how you will differentiate it from similar blogs.

# Use your personal experiences and character traits to tailor the topic in a way that allows you to express yourself. If you consider yourself a comedian, narrow your topic to express your comedic side. Or, if you are the analytical type, focus your topic so that others can sense that quality within your blog title.
#Use different perspectives, such as journalistic perspectives<ref group=>The Writing Center, "Brainstorming"</ref> and geographical references<ref group=>Lucas, "Choosing a blog topic"</ref>.
#Identify a virginal idea or an area of interest where there is a blog deficit.

===Look for Inspiration===
Considering your inspirations for your blog topic can assist when further focusing the topic. These inspirations could include the following:
*Other blogs
*Articles
*[[Research Method|Research| resources
*Personal experiences

==Assess the Idea==
Once a blog topic idea is identified, assess the popularity and originality of the idea to be certain of its effectiveness.

===Ensure the Popularity===
There are several ways to assess the potential popularity <ref group=>Rowse, "How to Choose a Niche Topic for your Blog"</ref>of the topic idea
# Search for blogs with similar ideas and investigate their popularity.
# Look up books or journal articles with similar topics in online stores, such as [http://www.amazon.com Amazon] or [http://www.barnesandnoble.com Barnes and Noble] and assess the comments and overall popularity of the books.
# Use the “For Dummies” test <ref group=>Morrow, "21 Warning Signs"</ref>. Try to find a reference for your topic in the [http://www.dummies.com “For Dummies” book brand]. If such a book exists, the topic is already popular and is a great place to begin your blog topic search.

===Ensure the Originality===
Though the idea may be popular, ensuring the originality of the idea will be an important aspect of your topic choice that will ultimately mean success or failure. Ask yourself the following questions:
# Is your topic idea creative and unique enough to set itself apart from other blogs with similar themes?
# Is it an unexplored aspect of the overall topic that will give you a fresh and energizing niche?
# Does it present an intriguing or contradictory viewpoint can reinvent an overexposed topic idea?

==Finalizing the Topic==
Once you’ve ensured success in choosing an interesting blog topic through focus and assessment, the topic is ready for finalization, requiring a topic title and possibly a subtitle.

===Creating the Title===
When creating the topic title <ref group=>Lively, "How to Choose Blog Topics"</ref> or [[Headers and Sub-headers|subtitle]] ask the following questions:
*Is the title overt and easily readable?
*Can the viewer quickly grasp the topic idea by simply reading the title?
*Does the narrative of the topic match the title’s observable intent?
**A first person narrative suggests sharing your personal views while a third person narrative suggests a more educational and professional approach. For example, adding the first person –ing to the beginning of the title “Discovering a Passion” gives the reader the impression that the writer will incorporate personal experiences and opinions into the blog, while the third person “Discover a Passion” suggests the blog’s intent is to educate through expertise.
*Does the title and subtitle have an angle- something memorable, catchy or fun?

=Get Started=
The hardest part of choosing your blog topic is the act of getting started <ref group=>Starak, "How to Choose the Right Blog Topic"</ref>. Topic ideas may not seem perfect until you begin brainstorming and expressing your ideas. Most importantly, use your instincts, interests and personality to organize and focus your topic idea.

== Notes ==
<references/>

== References ==
*Archuleta, Elizabeth. [http://www.unm.edu/~pre/law/archuleta.htm "How to Write a Personal Statement."] UNM - New Mexico's Flagship University | The University of New Mexico. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
*Carroll, Brian. [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/041599201X/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=humanindex-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=041599201X "Writing for Digital Media."] Routledge; New York, 2010.
*Gardner, Brian. [http://www.briangardner.com/niche-blogging "Why Niche Blogging is Better than General Blogging."] Brian Gardner // Starbucks Addict Since 1974. N.p., 7 Mar. 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
*Gunelius, Susan. [http://weblogs.about.com/od/startingablog/tp/Top-Ten-Reasons-to-Blog.htm "Start a Blog-Top 10 Reasons to Start a Blog."] About.com Blogging. N.p., 2013. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
*Lively, Jess. [http://jesslively.com/how-to-choose-blog-topics/ "How to Choose Blog Topics."] Jess Lively. N.p., 5 Feb. 2013. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
*Loos, Eugene E. [http://www-01.sil.org/linguistics/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/WhatIsATopic.htm "What is a Topic?" ] 2004. Web. April 5, 2013.
*Lucas, Gerald. [http://litmuse.net/resources/digital-media/choosing-a-blog-topic/ "Choosing a blog topic."] 2013. Web. March 29, 2013.
*Mind Tools Ltd. [http://www.mindtools.com/brainstm.html "Brainstorming" ] 2013. Web. March 31, 2013.
*Morrow, Jon. [http://boostblogtraffic.com/blog-topic/ "21 Warning Signs You Chose the Wrong Topic for Your Blog."] Boost Blog Traffic. N.p., 13 Apr. 2012. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
*Rehner, Amy. [http://choosingatopic.wordpress.com "Choosing Your Blog Topic."] March 2013. Web. March 29, 2013.
*Rowse, Darren. [http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/02/15/how-to-choose-a-niche-topic-for-your-blog/ "How to Choose a Niche Topic for your Blog."] Blogging for Beginners. N.p., 15 Feb. 2006. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
*Starak, Yaro. [http://www.entrepreneurs-journey.com/newsletters/how-to-choose-the-right-blog-topic "How to Choose the Right Blog Topic."] Blog Tips Newsletter. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.
*The Writing Center. [http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/brainstorming/ "Brainstorming"] 2013. Web. March 31, 2013.
*Trunk, Penelope. [http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/10/06/blogs-without-topics-are-a-waste-of-time/ "Blogs without topics are a waste of time | Penelope Trunk Blog."] Get Career Advice from Penelope Trunk. N.p., 6 Oct. 2009. Web. 12 Apr. 2013.

==See Also==
*[[Narrowcasting]]
*[[Research Methods]]
*[[Participation]]
*[[Audience]]

[[Category:New Media]]