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Choosing Your Topic: Difference between revisions
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[[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]] | [[Blog_Writing_for_College_Students|Home]] | ||
Choosing a worthy topic is essential to the success of | [[File:Technology-blogs.png|thumb|upright=3| There are a vast number of viable blog topics available for students.]] | ||
Choosing a worthy topic is essential to the overall success of a blog <ref group=>Carroll, 140</ref><ref group=>Rehner, "Choosing Your Blog Topic"</ref>. A focused topic expresses a central idea 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. | |||
== Brainstorm== | == Brainstorm== | ||
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*Other blogs | *Other blogs | ||
*Articles | *Articles | ||
* | *Research | ||
*Personal experiences | *Personal experiences | ||
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*Does the narrative of the topic match the title’s observable intent? | *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. | **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 | *Does the title and subtitle have an angle? Is the angle something memorable, catchy, or fun? | ||
=Get Started= | =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. | 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. | ||
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== 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== | ==See Also== | ||