BLOGGING: Your Online Space

Blogging, in its simplest form, is writing a journal online. However, blogs can fall into many categories, from dry and professional to uncomfortably personal, and everything in between. Although blogs can cover just about every topic and passion known to humanity, there are some features common to every good blog.

First, they are formatted in reverse chronological order. That means that the most recent posts are on top. This separates blogs from other genres of online writing that might have static pages or sort according to topic.

Second, great bloggers are great writers, and they spend a lot of time not only on their writing, but also on the visual layout and the images, and creating links to their sources. A great blog is fun to look at, as well as fun (and informative) to read.

Your assignment: create a blog and post a minimum of five times throughout the semester. Great (free) blogging sites: Wordpress and Blogger. 

Great Writing = Great Voice

Good blogging isn't just about having good (or smart or funny) things to say -- good blogging is excellent writing. The writing is full of voice and personality. The author is clearly present in the writing, and the writing is clearly the opinion of the author.

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Great Links and Sources

Bloggers link to their sources, to other blogs, to their own archives, and to related information online. They are interactive. Bloggers don't just rant; instead they see themselves as part of a conversation with their readership and with other writers online.

Great Visuals, Great Graphics

Good blogging uses graphics and visuals and images to illustrate their points. Blogs are highly visual. Food bloggers, for example, post pictures not only of the final dish, but also of all of the steps to create the dish. Make sure you either use your own images, or images that are in the creative commons and for public use.

Great Formatting and Mechanics

Blogging should never be single-draft writing. It is published online and therefore should be published-quality. Good bloggers want their writing to be accessible to their audience, and they want to grow their readership.

Blogs I Currently Follow...

The Bloggess is not always SFW. However, she's a fantastic and honest writer, who blogs about her life, her marriage, her kid, her pets, her mental illness, and the things in life worth celebrating.
Smitten Kitchen is a great example of a food blog. It is full of beautiful photos, great recipes, and good writing. The layout is lovely. Plus, the recipes are full of ingredients that are easy to find and use.
 Go Fug Yourself is part fashion blog, part celebrity gossip blog, and part lifestyle blog. It is irreverent and snarky. It is not always SFW (or kind), but it is always entertaining.
Amalah is a mommy blogger. She blogs about raising kids and working full time and trying to stay sane and stay married and occasionally vacuum.  She's honest and hilarious and very relatable.
Mandatory (a)Musings is my own blog. If I had to categorize, I'd say it's a social commentary blog. I'm not sure I've landed on an exact genre, but I tend to blog about things in our society and media that drive me crazy.
Wil Wheaton is a celebrity blogger. He writes about life, his books, his movies, and his participation in "geek culture." He's been around for a long time, setting the standard for celebrity blogging.

Other Blogs That Other Friends Follow...

Economics and Politics is a blog (about economics and politics) written by economist Paul Krugman at the New York Times.
Krebs on Security is a professional blog about security news and investigation written by a former journalist.
The Small Things is a beauty blog written by a stay-at-home-mom. She writes about beauty and grace, with beauty and grace.
Young House Love is an interior design/DIY blog by a young couple with a great sense of adventure and humor.
Yarn Harlot is a knitting and humor blog. Yep, knitting. Trust me.
Oh She Glows is a healthy living blog full of vegan recipes, lifestyle tips, and advice.
Gadfly on the Wall Blog is a blog about education and education policy by teacher and advocate Steven Singer.