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How does a blog differ from a traditional essay?: Difference between revisions
How does a blog differ from a traditional essay? (view source)
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==Blog== | ==Blog== | ||
A ''weblog'', which is usually shortened to a blog, is a journal or diary that is available on the web, where anyone can write about any subject on an ongoing basis. The word blog can also be used as a verb, meaning adding an entry to a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog blog]. The first blog has been ascribed to Dave Winer. He has been credited as the first regular, widely followed blogger. Blogs began to take off in 1999 with the launch of sites like Blogger, Weblogger and Love Journal, which made self publishing painless for the masses. Tens of thousands of blogs have blossomed since their creation. The mainstream media has only recently shown a glimmer of interest in the form (Rodzilla 171) . | A ''weblog'', which is usually shortened to a blog, is a journal or diary that is available on the web, where anyone can write about any subject on an ongoing basis. The word blog can also be used as a verb, meaning adding an entry to a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog blog]. The first blog has been ascribed to Dave Winer. He has been credited as the first regular, widely followed blogger. Blogs began to take off in 1999 with the launch of sites like Blogger, Weblogger and Love Journal, which made self publishing painless for the masses. Tens of thousands of blogs have blossomed since their creation. The mainstream media has only recently shown a glimmer of interest in the form (Rodzilla 171). | ||
===Anatomy=== | ===Anatomy=== | ||
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*'''Date header''': The date the post is written. Posts are generally presented in reverse chronological order (most recent first). | *'''Date header''': The date the post is written. Posts are generally presented in reverse chronological order (most recent first). | ||
*'''Title''': Each post is given a title. This is a pitchy phrase, a pun, or even a series of symbols. | *'''Title''': Each post is given a title. This is a pitchy phrase, a pun, or even a series of symbols. | ||
*'''Time stamp and/or permalink''': The time the post is uploaded to the blog. The time stamp often is a link to a permanent page just for this post.This allows other bloggers to link to a post. | *'''Time stamp and/or permalink''': The time the post is uploaded to the blog. The time stamp often is a link to a permanent page just for this post. This allows other bloggers to link to a post. | ||
*'''Post''': A word, sentence, paragraph or essay, with links, names and current news. ''Key words and names are often highlighted in boldface,'' which makes the post 'scannable'. | *'''Post''': A word, sentence, paragraph or essay, with links, names and current news. ''Key words and names are often highlighted in boldface,'' which makes the post 'scannable'. | ||
*'''Author nickname''': The name or nickname of the person who wrote the post. For blogs written by one person, the author is often left off (because the author identification can be found in About page). For collaborative blogs, the author helps to differentiate contributors. The nickname can also be a link to a page of all the author's posts. | *'''Author nickname''': The name or nickname of the person who wrote the post. For blogs written by one person, the author is often left off (because the author identification can be found in About page). For collaborative blogs, the author helps to differentiate contributors. The nickname can also be a link to a page of all the author's posts. | ||
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==Essay== | ==Essay== | ||
An''''' essay''''' is a short piece of writing that discusses, describes, or analyzes one topic. It can discuss a subject directly or indirectly, seriously or humorously. It can describe personal opinions, or just report information. An essay can be written from any perspective, but essays are most commonly written in the first person (I), or third person (subjects that can be substituted with the he, | An''''' essay''''' is a short piece of writing that discusses, describes, or analyzes one topic. It can discuss a subject directly or indirectly, seriously or humorously. It can describe personal opinions, or just report information. An essay can be written from any perspective, but essays are most commonly written in the first person (I), or third person (subjects that can be substituted with the he, her, it, or them pronouns). A traditional essay is used for formal documents or most of the time in school (English Works). | ||
Fifteen hundred and eighty is the accepted birth year of the essay ( Tanner 11). Essays of today have a greater range, variety of subject, greater length and a greater literary finish compared to essays of the previous centuries. There is also evidence of greater individuality in thoughts and directness in style. The main influence that brought about these changes was the growth of individualism in all realms of thought (Tanner 17). Essays have a particular purpose. They can expand a reader's knowledge of a topic, or just entertain. | Fifteen hundred and eighty is the accepted birth year of the essay (Tanner 11). Essays of today have a greater range, variety of subject, greater length and a greater literary finish compared to essays of the previous centuries. There is also evidence of greater individuality in thoughts and directness in style. The main influence that brought about these changes was the growth of individualism in all realms of thought (Tanner 17). Essays have a particular purpose. They can expand a reader's knowledge of a topic, or just entertain. | ||
===Traditional Essay=== | ===Traditional Essay=== | ||
A traditional essay is linear and without links. Traditional essays are written on separate pages and require the writer to use a step-by-step structure. The writer should not stray from this basic structure. Eliminating information that would normally be included in these structures could leave the reader confused and asking questions about information that should have been included. By researching a topic thoroughly a writer will have all the necessary information needed to write | A traditional essay is linear and without links. Traditional essays are written on separate pages and require the writer to use a step-by-step structure. The writer should not stray from this basic structure. Eliminating information that would normally be included in these structures could leave the reader confused and asking questions about information that should have been included. By researching a topic thoroughly a writer will have all the necessary information needed to write an efficient and informative essay. An essay should have a structure that includes all of the components below. | ||
*'''Introduction'''- This part encompasses the first paragraph. It will introduce the subject and will move from general to specific. The introduction can be the most intimidating part of the writing process. It is important for the introduction to remark clearly and pave the way for what is about to come. The writer should state the point and grab the reader’s interest in this paragraph. | *'''Introduction'''- This part encompasses the first paragraph. It will introduce the subject and will move from general to specific. The introduction can be the most intimidating part of the writing process. It is important for the introduction to remark clearly and pave the way for what is about to come. The writer should state the point and grab the reader’s interest in this paragraph. | ||
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*'''Body'''- This main part of the essay, include the descriptions or explanations of what is given in the introduction. The body should include at least 5 paragraphs, use a particular point of view, develop the subject logically, and keep the reader's interest with detail. It should conclude by looking beyond. | *'''Body'''- This main part of the essay, include the descriptions or explanations of what is given in the introduction. The body should include at least 5 paragraphs, use a particular point of view, develop the subject logically, and keep the reader's interest with detail. It should conclude by looking beyond. | ||
*'''Conclusion'''- The writer offers closure and summarizes or ties the essay together in this final paragraph. This paragraph should be brief and point beyond the limited scope of the | *'''Conclusion'''- The writer offers closure and summarizes or ties the essay together in this final paragraph. This paragraph should be brief and point beyond the limited scope of the essay. The writer makes the final word and writes what they personally think about the topic [http://www.louisville.edu/~a0zait02/essay.html Traditional Essays]. | ||
==Links== | ==Links== | ||
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog | *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog Blog] | ||
*[http://www.louisville.edu/~a0zait02/essay.html traditional essays] | *[http://www.louisville.edu/~a0zait02/essay.html traditional essays] | ||
==Work Cited== | ==Work Cited== | ||
*"Essays." ''English Works''. 2001. ''Gallaudet University'' 18 July 2006 <http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing/essay.html> | *"Essays." ''English Works''. 2001. ''Gallaudet University'' 18 July 2006 <http://depts.gallaudet.edu/englishworks/writing/essay.html> | ||