Blog Design Instructions
We will be sharing our experiences in College Writing with
one another through blog writing. Throughout the semester, I will be assigning
specific posts to write. But before you start posting, you need to create a
blog. Here’s how to get started:
1.
Create a gmail account separate from your Lewis
University gmail account. Gmail allows you to create more than one account.
Simply go to gmail.com and sign up for a new account. Be sure to write down
your new username and password. Also, make sure you select a username that is
appropriate for a university course and one that is as close to your actual
name as possible.
2.
To create the blog, you may choose from your
apps (the icon looks like a small grid @ the upper right of your gmail page.
Scroll until you see the icon for “Blogger” and choose it. Or, you may go
straight to blogger.com to start.
3.
Choose “Create a blog.”
4.
Follow the tutorial.
5.
You can make all sorts of interesting design
choices by selecting “Design” from the upper right of the main blog page. Or,
you can begin designing by using the menus you will see at your “My Blogs” page
(clicking the Blogger icon will directly take you there).
6.
Choose “Customize” to see all options.
7.
Choose wisely and remember that good design
depends upon “readability.” Try to avoid the temptation to overcrowd your blog
with images, though do choose one/some that reflects something about who you
are. Make sure to include a good amount of “white space” (clear space for legible
text). Also, choose fonts and colors carefully and in ways that will help your
readers read your posts clearly. And provide captions for your images (creating
hyperlink to source pages), or a “Works Cited” at the bottom of your posts.
8.
Finally, send your blog’s URL (web address in
the topmost address bar) to
waltsda@lewisu.edu.
Your blog’s URL is not the same as your Google account’s profile address. Set
up your blog, maybe publish a test post, and hit “publish.” Then, copy the web
address (URL) and send to me. I will then add you to the blogroll. All done!
Ready to start blogging.
How to locate your Blogger Blog’s URL (web address):
1.
Go to your Blogger Blog.
2.
Go to “Dashboard.”
3.
Go to “Settings.”
4.
Go to “Publishing.” There, you should find your
blog’s URL. If you have not specified one (if the field says “Blogspot address”
is blank), go ahead and give your blog a name. Choose wisely so that you emit a sense of self that seems appropriate
for this course blog.
Now that your blog is up and running, here are some blogging
moves to make. Post thoughtful entries
that reflect upon the work we are doing
in class. Such as:
1.
Challenges you’ve encountered (and overcome?)
with an assignment.
2.
Questions about course content. Say, a
discussion about a text we are exploring that begins by expressing points of
interest, challenges to understanding remaining question that class discussions
did not address.
3.
Interesting findings from your research and
other homework assignments.
4.
Technical questions. Maybe you are facing
obstacles regarding design choices for your blog. Perhaps you’d like to ask for
feedback on the layout? Colors? Fonts? Check for readability? Maybe your title
is questionable—too snarky? Too serious? Get some feedback!
5.
Give feedback. Maybe you could set up a specific
group of bloggers to form a supportive feedback circle. Or, you could choose
randomly each week—pic a blog and give thoughtful, detailed comments.
6.
Post an image or video that has you curious.
Write reflectively about the image/video—what is it that is intriguing?
Problematic? Pleasurable? Funny? Odd?
7.
Provide links to the original sources, and use
this as practice for MLA formatting—look it up at the Purdue OWL under
“References” @ left—and get some practice finding and citing different kinds of
sources.
For your first blog post
1.
You need to be sure you have your Blogger Blog
set up and your URL sent to me at waltsda@lewisu.edu.
2.
You also need to follow up by checking the
Blogroll to see that you are listed. Please give me 24-48 hours after sending
your email with the URL to get you posted, but after that time please contact
me if you don’t see your name listed.
3.
Choose one of the seven thoughtful, reflective
options listed above (challenges, questions, findings, etc.). Happy blogging!
