Sample Blog Assignment

blog project

One of your three major projects for this course, the blog project will run most of the semester. In compliance with university FERPA regulations, you will be required to submit the FERPA Consent for Course Blog Participation prior to beginning this assignment.

objectives and goals
This project serves a number of course objectives. You will

• Personalize for course

In addition to the serving these course objectives, the blog project will meet a number of other goals. Specifically, you gain experience in covering an issue and begin to build an online identity as a writer.

the assignment
For this project, you will start a blog in which you write about, explore, or report on something of interest to you--with the intention of distinguishing yourself as a unique voice. The theme or topic of your blog is completely up to you, though you will submit a proposal for approval to your instructor.

the blog (100 points)
You are expected to write in the general style of blogs while completing this project. Be sure to give your entries enticing titles (i.e., not "Blog Post 1"), and don't reference the assignment in your post. Your audience for this assignment is web users interested in your topic (in addition to your instructor and the rest of the class).

The general blog requirements are as follows:

• The blog must include a minimum of ten posts by the assignment due date.
• Individual posts will be 250-500 words.
• The blog's design should be intentional and fit with the writer's purpose.
• The writer should use a tone and style appropriate to his/her purpose.
• Blog posts should occur throughout the semester, not just after the blogging period begins or just before the assignment due date arrives.

You will negotiate specific blog requirements with the instructor during the proposal process, and you will be expected to adhere to those requirements. You may use the blog service of your choosing for the blog assignment.

blog proposal (20 points)
You will begin this project by determining the topic you would like to write about on your blog and researching the work that is already being done in that area. Your blog proposal will include two parts: a review of current blogs and a proposed new blog.

Review of Current Blogs: Your review of current blogs must include references to at least five blogs, including URLs, and demonstrate an understanding of their intended audiences and the need(s) they are meeting for their readers. Some guiding questions you should think about: What is the overall topic of the blog? What is the tone of the writing? How often does the author generally post? How long (word count) are most of the entries?

Proposed New Blog: You will describe your proposed blog and demonstrate a) how it will be different from current blogs, b) who your audience will be, and c) what need(s) you will meet for them. Be sure to explain the "look" you anticipate for your blog and at least one potential title. Some guiding questions you should think about: Which topics are you uniquely qualified to write about? What tone is most comfortable/do you enjoy most? Will your topic require you to post more/less at particular times during the semester? How long should your entries generally be?

blog project presentation (15 points)
You will present your blog to the class in a five-minute presentation. The purpose of this presentation is to inform your classmates and instructor about your experience as a blogger.

blog reflection (15 points)
You will submit to your instructor a reflection on the choices you made while researching, designing, and writing your blog.