Introduction to BloggingESL 434 Writing for Publication

Defining Your Blog What is your niche? What are other bloggers in this niche

posting?

How can your blog stand out from the crowd?

Defining Your Blog Find your sub-niche Have a distinct voice Try a different genre of post

Blog/Web Writing Style Be conversational

Blog ≠ research paper Be interactive

Link to other relevant blogs and sites Encourage and reply to comments

Blog/Web Writing Style Be concise

250-300 words Be careful

Check spelling and grammar Check your facts Wait before publishing emotional or

controversial posts

Blog/Web Formatting Format for scanning 84% of people do not read every word

online — they look for key words to identify useful content

Blog/Web Formatting Short paragraphs Lists Formatting important points Subheadings Pictures

Your Blog Assignment Develop a blog concept related to your

major field Set up the blog on SCAD, Blogger.com,

or elsewhere Post once a week (or more) Share your posts in the Facebook group Comment on your classmates’ posts