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9.22.2010

English vs American

Listen to the interview (a couple minutes):
http://septicscompanion.com/book/ricksteves2009-09-05.mp3 

Browse the free online dictionary:
http://septicscompanion.com/

(this is NOT an assignment)

9.19.2010

Blog Design

As you're learning the ropes of Blogger, please consider the contrast between your background and your text. Some designs might seem like a good idea until you have a whole page of it...then you find yourself suffering from eye strain. If you have a super awesome background and you've made the background of the posting box transparent, either make sure your text is fully visible and easy to read or consider making the background of the post only semi-transparent. Also, if you're using bright colors for the text color...reconsider. darker text on a lighter background is easier to read. I realize that mine has a dark background and white text, but I'm also not posting essay-length pieces to be read. Few of you will even read what I post anyway. One more thing, when you bold your text and it's small, it all just runs together.

To summarize, read and look at other blogs so you can best design yours to be eye-ball friendly.

9.13.2010

Writing Assignment

Due Wednesday 7:30 am on your blog.

Clean up your initial reaction to the question of why I write (something we'll do in class on Tuesday) and be sure to address/include the following:

With which author can you most identify: Orwell, Didion, or Goldberg (from class Tues) and why?
Quote some of the text from that author's piece that demonstrates what you most like about it.
Why do you write? Explore the reasons and/or conditions for your own writing.

This will be officially assigned in class on Tuesday, but those of you who like to know what's coming or want to work ahead, you may do so but you will still be required to be writing something during the alotted time in class tomorrow.

No length requirement but consider this: long enough to be significant, short enough to read without needing to take a Facebook break. This is an informal writing assignment (one of many) but I will be reading it and giving you credit based on your work. It's mostly based on completion, but it does need to be quality completion. The due date and time is because we'll be looking at them in class on Wednesday, so you'll need to have yours done and posted.

9.08.2010

Check Please!

I've linked your blogs (the ones I have anyway) down there on the right. Check to make sure your blog appears in the appropriate box (block 2 or block 3) and that the link works. I've not checked all of them yet. If your blog does not appear that is because (A) I do not have your URL yet or (B) your URL was incorrect or broken. I've seen some fun titles so far, I like it.

9.07.2010

On Blogging

For class, you will each create and maintain your own blog.  I will at times specify a topic for the week or I may leave it open. Open topic does not mean you get to simply ramble about hacking the vids, it needs to have some intellectual merit. Some. Opt to reflect on something related to class, something related to writing, language, rhetoric, media, fishing, facebook taking over the world, whatever. Just make it thoughtful. In the world of blogging, certain formalities are often overlooked, so don't get too hung up on punctuation and grammar, but do not simply throw it out either.

Please note: I have set up a video bar from youtube that features various ever-changing videos with the keywords: writing, grammar, literature for you to peruse. Go take a look, but realize that I cannot guarantee the quality or content of these videos is above reproach. Some are fantastic, others are not.

You will also find links; click 'em.  They're there for you to check out. Your blog should also have links to things you find interesting, relevant to class, school, etc.

I suggest using your isd284 email to set up your blog, so you get in the habit of using it. It also makes it easy for me to identify you. However, if you're still a holdout, use whichever email you're used to using and will remember. I use my personal email and password because it's connected to my other blogs, documents, email, and home page, so it simplifies the process for me. You're welcome to do the same.

Assignment part 1: Create your own blog using Blogger http://www.blogger.com and your school isd284 email (or other). You may have a blog already, that's awesome, keep up with that one, even add a link between that one and this new one. I expect that you will use good judgement when it comes to what you post. Play with colors, templates, fonts, gadgets, and give it a snazzy title -really make it your own. Feel free to personalize it, add gadgets and tools, but do keep in mind that what you publish online must be appropriate as it isn't confidential.

*make sure your blog is fully set up, recognized, and functioning before you send me your link. 

Assignment part 2: E-mail me ashley.cardona@isd284.com from your isd284 email account (or the one you used for your blog) so you can snag a space on the much coveted contact list. Put your first and last name in the subject line and put a link (I want the full URL) to your blog in the body of the e-mail.

My URL is this: 
http://mrscardona-whs.blogspot.com  
Yours will be similar.

Assignment part 3: Post to your blog! Introduce yourself. Write a fair amount, not just: "Hey, this is my blog, woot woot!"go ahead and write about anything else that might be swimming in your brain too. It's the inaugural post. Go for it. Post by Friday 3pm.