Blog/Reading Journals: 15%.
15 entries, 12 of your own, and three responses to classmates. These entries are less formal writing that should show you not only read the assigned reading, but were able to make significant connections between the text and other texts (such as previous readings, current events, or personal experiences). This is a space to do some deep thinking about the text or ask more questions about it, that will help you prepare for class discussions, quizzes, and exams. It is also a space to show off your skills in writing in “New Media.” The design of your blog will be important, though your focus should be on content. You can make your blog through sites such as Blogger. You will need to subscribe to or "follow" our class blog as well since that is where the online journal/blog prompts will be posted. Details about the blog postings and grading criteria will be posted on the class blog and class site.
Style
Blogs are less formal than essays; they are a forum for reflecting on readings, free-writing and pre-writing, and discussing topics from class that particularly interest you. While I will not be strictly evaluating your grammar/spelling/punctuation in the blog, keep in mind that it is a blog for English class and not an entirely personal blog. It gives me a sense of how you write and who you are as a reader/writer, so avoid internet abbreviations that you might use on an instant messaging program (LOL, BRB, BTW, LMAO, IMHO, etc.), writing in all lowercase or without punctuation, profanity, and anything else that could be construed as disrespectful to our class community. Your blog entries will be graded, and though I don’t anticipate a problem with this, I reserve the right to lower your grade based on inappropriate content in your blog.
While I will be a primary reader of your blog, keep in mind that it is a public forum, accessible to anyone who has access to the internet, so do not post anything that you would not share with the classroom and the internet community. Furthermore, feel free to read your peers’ blogs at any time to get a sense of their ideas on the topic at hand.
Grading
Score of 3
Provides specific textual examples and fully answer’s the “prompt” posted online. Posting should focus on articulating the nature of the literary text’s connection to the course’s guiding questions about the American Dream, the reason the Dream needs reforming, and the place of individuals in American society and their place in the American dream. Focus may also include any significant issue that student deems worthy of critical analysis (if your analysis is too brief, consider analyzing two connections or more). In other words, student makes connections to global ideas & literary themes rather than content summary, and student keeps in mind his/her academic audience. Attention is paid to clarity and piece lacks significant grammatical errors.
Score of 2
Provides an example and makes reference to a specific connection to the course’s guiding questions but doesn’t endeavor to fully work out and explain the concept(s) as reflected within the texts. Attention is paid to clarity and grammar, but there are noticeable errors.
Score of 1
Student gives a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” review of the text without going into any in-depth analysis. Post is written as if student were in a hurry, without any forethought as to content, organization, or proofreading.
Score of 0
Student fails to create a post.
Setting up your blog
Go to www.blogger.com, and follow the on-screen directions for setting up a free blog. You will need a separate blog that is focused on reflecting about your reading. Feel free to provide a link to your other blog if you would like to share that with your classmates as well. Keep in mind that I will post your blog address on the course website, so other class members will have access to your responses. You can restrict general public access, however, under “Settings” by marking “no” for the question “Add your blog to our listings?”
Here are a few requirements for your blog:
Please take some time to personalize your blog. This is a way for both me and your classmates to get to know you, so feel free to include a photo, links to other sites you enjoy, etc.
Please make sure that your name (first/preferred name and last initial) is clear on your blog. For web safety, there is no need to include your full name.
