first blog assignment, due 28 august 2008

Your first assignment for this class is to actually create your own blog using Blogger and to write your first post. Here are the instructions:

[1] Set up your blog: To do so, go to www.blogger.com, and follow the on-screen directions for setting up a free blog. As I mentioned in the syllabus, I know that some/many of you already have a blog where you write posts; however, for the purposes of this class, you will need a separate blog that is focused on reflecting about your reading. Feel free to provide a link to your other blog if you would like to share that with your classmates as well. Keep in mind that I will post your blog address on the course website, so other class members will have access to your blog. You can restrict general public access to your blog, however, under “Settings” by marking “no” for the question “Add your blog to our listings?” Here are a few requirements for your blog:

• Please take some time to personalize your blog. This is a way for both me and your classmates to get to know you, so feel free to include a photo, links to other sites you enjoy, etc.
• Please make sure that your name (first/preferred name and last initial) is clear on your blog. For web safety, there is no need to include your full name.
• Please use the Page Elements section of the Layout tab to add a text gadget with a disclaimer about the content of your blog: “The opinions expressed on this blog do not represent those of Texas Christian University or of its administration.”
  

[2] Write your first entry: Write a letter of introduction about yourself. Start with the basics—where you are from, what year you are at TCU, what major you are considering, etc. Then, I want to know a few things related to your participation in this course. Here is a series of questions to think about as you write:

• First, think about your interest in this course. Why did you choose to take this writing course? If your answer is simply that it’s required, then what would you like to get out of it?
• Next, consider your experience with writing both in and out of the classroom. What types of writing do you primarily do now (think beyond traditional school papers to other kinds of writing and technologies, like email, texting, etc.)? How do you feel about your writing? Why?
• Then, describe your level of interest in politics (on a national, state, local, or university level). What aspects of politics are most/least interesting to you? (you don't have to divulge your political leanings if you don't want to) :)
  
• Finally, as you're reading chapter one of everything's an argument for class on Thursday, you'll notice that the authors discuss how everything we say/do/create truly is an argument. This means that in your first assignment of creating a blog for this course, you are making an argument (whether you realized it or not). Take a few minutes to talk about what kind of argument you think your blog is making. Consider choices you made about colors, images, the way you introduce yourself, etc. What do these choices say about you as the blog author? about your participation in the course?
  

At the end of your letter to your blog audience, please write a final statement letting me know that you have read, understand, and agree to the terms of the course syllabus, which I see as a contract for our course. Remember that all of your blog entries should be in paragraph form.

[3] Follow up: Add a comment to this post that includes your name, section, and blog address (http://____.blogspot.com), so that I can add it to the list on our course page. Also let me know if you have any questions regarding the syllabus or anything discussed in our first meeting of the course.