English 26-397

Advanced Composition Theory and Practice:

Theory and Practice of Blogging

Dr. Dale Jacobs        

Winter 2009   

Each of you will write a short (5-7 page) paper in which you apply the theory we are reading this semester (and any other theoretical reading you deem appropriate), as well as the material generated in the Wiki project, to the analysis of a blog of your choice.  The blog can be any current blog of your choosing, but it must be a blog that is currently and consistently being updated (at least once per week).

Think about the major issues that we have discussed over the course of the semester and explore one or more issues in relation to the text or texts of your choice.  In addition, address the following questions:  How does the blog work as a piece of writing?  Who is the intended audience?  Is it successful?  Why or why not?  What is its overall project?  How do individual posts fit into that larger project?  How does it address issues of audience and purpose?  Make links between theory and practice as you think about the idea of blogging and issues in blogging as they pertain to this particular blog.   

Use MLA format.  This paper should be 5-7 double-spaced pages in length and will be due in class March 16, 2009.

Blog Analyses which receive A+/A/A-: These assignments demonstrate a thorough and detailed understanding of and engagement with theories and issues of blogging in relation to a particular blog.  These papers do an excellent job of demonstrating how the selected text acts as an extended piece of writing (see above questions), while also using theory to illuminate the issues in blogging brought up by the chosen text.  Papers in this range articulately argue for their thesis; such assignments demonstrate a clearly articulated connection between the theory and practice of blogging.  “A” range indicates that the quality of work is excellent.

Blog Analyses which receive B+/B/B-:  These assignments have all the required elements but are not as thorough or developed as the assignments which receive A’s.  “B” range indicates that the quality of work is good/very good.

Blog Analyses which receive C+/C/C-:  These assignments have all the required elements but the information presented in them is vague, undeveloped and/or superficial.  “C” range indicates that the quality of work is adequate.

Blog Analyses which receive D’s and F’s:  These assignments are missing one or more required element or are significantly deficient. “ D” and “F” range indicates that the quality of work is unsatisfactory.