Some Useful Links

Besides your blogs, you should remember to contribute to the following sites:

The Literary Wall (remember the login is "user1" and the password is "pfouts")
Wikipedia

As a writing group, you should also help each other out via comments on each others' blogs.

What Makes a Good Blog?

I want the class to come up with our own criteria for our blogs. So I ask: What makes a good blog? Consider content, format readablity any of the six traits. Make a comment and read what others think.
-Pfouts

What You Wrote

Here's what you guys wrote about blogs after the first assignment. If you haven't emailed me write this today and post it write on the site.


An opinionated view on a topic ranging from how someone's day went to a complex world issue.  I
believe it is a more modern way of sharing points of views and letting others comment on your thinking. I think a blog may join people together based on beliefs and agreements as well as give others an opportunity to share their opposing opinion. 

-Ava



Blogs are interesting and compelling websites created by people who want to share their feelings and opinions with others. They are all in a sense like a diary, or a recording of someone's thoughts as well as experiences. Some blogs were written for business and professional reasons, while others are just sights for people to read and respond to. People with blogs on  a particular subject may read and respond to others with similar interest. Blogs are a way to meet or learn more about people, as well as have discussions on issues or even just how someone's day went. Blogs are open ended, and as long as the people who write them stay creative, the blogs will too.

-Sarah G





A blog is a web log that is used by the public.  It can be about any topic, from apes to zucchini.   Blogs serve the purpose of giving everyone a voice.  This voice, that use to be only available to some, is now for everyone.   People can use blogs to share their thoughts on worldly events, then others can comment and agree or disagree on them.  It is kind of like a forum but the user controls the flow of things.

-Eli





I think blogs are used to express an opinion that might not be able to be shared among people around you. They could be shared with people around the world though. Some people just love to write about anything and a blog is a great way to do so. I think a big thing about blogs is, it's a great way to meet people who agree with you and that's always a good thing.

-Conor

WW: Blogs Syllabus

Writers' Workshop: Blogs
Andrew Pfouts

The "Writer's Workshop" portion of this course name aligns this class with other writing classes around the school. We teachers intend to offer a consistent, school-wide writing program that will provide students with opportunities to explore different forms of writing. Our goals will remain the same; we want you to improve as writers first.

Along with the content goals involving writing, this class will provide students a chance to explore one of the newest forms of writing: blogs. Although the students will need to fulfill many of the same requirements and complete many of the same exercises, they will compose and revise their own unique pieces of writing. Students will strive to make their writing as clear as possible in order to have the best chance of communicating.


Students can expect to...

• read and explore blogs
• write and maintain their own blogs
• comment on and contribute to each other's blogs
• participate in class projects

Grading:
A--consistently exceptional work; all assignments turned in on time; exemplary attendance and participation.

B--consistent quality work coupled with flashes of brilliance; thoughtful participation in nearly all classroom activities

C--student did not use his/her abilities to pursue the objectives of the class, but did some work.

IP-other students were surprised to hear s/he was in the class.


Attendance and Participation Info.
For some people, first period has it's own dilemma-it can be tough to get here. I have a system of tracking people's arrivals. You can be marked early, on-time (2 min. grace), tardy, 8 (arrived around eight) and absent
Lateness will have two consequences: the immediate will involve making up time via coming in early, (earlies cancel out tardies) the long term one is lateness will affect students' participation-participation is up to 25% of your grade for the class. Unexcused absences will result in detention