Writing In & For Digital Environments

The question of “what makes an excellent blog” was somewhat difficult for me to tackle. I believe that question can be addressed in an infinite amount of ways purely because it is an opinion-based question.

Just as the question is opinion-based, so are blogs. Each and every blog is designed to its author’s preference; hence, there can be no bullet point-ed list of how to make an excellent blog. This is not to say that when analyzing a variety of blogs there are not a handful of factors that we can note to be successful. I just find it hard to state a recipe for a successful blog.

However, I believe the individualism of blogs, whatever it may be, is the most prevalent factor to making an excellent blog. The individualism of a blog has a direct correlation to what makes it successful (in the author’s eyes).

The harsh reality is that not everyone who reads a particular blog is going to love it. For example, last Thursday in class, we viewed Humans of New York, a well known and liked blog. Despite the fact I am an avid follower of Humans of New York, my fellow classmates were not slow to criticize its authenticity and credibility.

http://www.humansofnewyork.com/

Going back to my point of individualism,  according to Brian Carroll, “…blogging is an exercise of expression, making one’s views public” (140). Blogs are designed/ written around an individuals passion, opinions, political views, etc. Not everyone is going to have the same passion, opinions, political views, etc. as the author of a blog they are reading.

This is where the grey area comes into play when the question of “what makes a blog excellent?” Carroll states: “The Internet has empowered ordinary citizens to become fact-checkers and analysts. People with a wide range of experiences can collaborate online, sharing knowledge, sources, and ideas, and challenging each others’ facts” (143).  The Internet has allowed its users to become critics of each other, no matter if they are a college student or a CEO. On the contrary, blogging on the Internet also provides us a platform in which to create a community: “…blogging is also an expression of community, allowing individuals to communicate and congregate” (140). Blogging is used as a means of expression whether is it a blog on politics, religion, food, music, etc. Not everyone is going to think a particular blog is excellent; if that were the case, the Internet/ society would be very grey itself.

http://image.slidesharecdn.com/edulearn15lairecasteleynmottartdigitalmediawritingtoolsthetheoryofwritingcurriculatherealityofteachi-150703130637-lva1-app6892/95/edulearn-15-laire-casteleyn-mottart-digital-media-writing-tools-the-theory-of-writing-curricula-the-reality-of-teaching-practices-2-638.jpg?cb=1435928823

https://www.google.com/search?q=blog&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiN9buW1J7WAhUB1oMKHWQ_DZ0Q_AUICygC&biw=1745&bih=849#imgrc=upBix09rK369QM:

Over the past two weeks I have come to realize that blogs are more than just fashion and chicken parmesan recipes. They are their own form of expression through writing, and like all other literature can be outstanding or disappointing. I believe there are three main things that make a blog a “good blog” and these are layout of the blog, analysis, and the writers interest in the subject.

The layout of a blog has great influence on whether or not a reader will enjoy it; therefore, a good layout is a critical part of a good blog. For example, in Lance Hosey’s article Why We Love Beautiful Things he describes an experiment in which attractive images would activate the part of the motor cerebellum that governs hand movement and goes on to say, “Beauty literally moves us” (Why 1). This depicts how powerful an attractive layout can be. Having an attractive layout on a blog can even make the readers “reach out” for it. Because of this innate human attribute, the layout alone is capable of drawing a reader into a blog. I feel that a blogs layout also makes it much easier for me to read and enjoy. Therefore, I believe one of the key components to a good blog is its layout because it draws the reader in and makes the text more entertaining to read.

https://www.google.com/search?q=layout&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiczL3i1J7WAhWi44MKHcVyBSwQ_AUICigB&biw=1745&bih=849#imgrc=n5FWVdmgV4BG5M:

Good analysis is critical to crafting a good blog because it allows the blog to reflect on new ideas in a more detailed and interesting way. Writing Analytically by David Rossenwasser describes good analysis as seeking “to locate the life of its subject, the aims and ideas that energize it” (Writing Analytically, 4). By seeking out the aims and ideas that energize what the writer is thinking about and reading they can create a blog that seems much more interesting and thought provoking than one that just regurgitates ideas the author reads online. Therefore, analysis is critical to a good blog, because it creates a more interesting and thought provoking final product.

Finally, I believe that a writer’s interest or passion in what they are writing about in their blog is extremely important in making it a good blog. When an author focuses on what they are interested in their writing just ends up being very enjoyable. For example, I recently learned of a very successful blog called Humans of New York and after reading a few of the stories on their site you can tell the author has a great interest in what they are writing about. If the author did not have such a passion for telling these people’s stories the blog would likely end up seeming dull and boring. However, the stories are extremely captivating and this is largely because the author shows passion in telling these peoples stories. This interest in their writing is a huge key to the blogs success and therefore should be one of the key elements in writing any good blog.

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What makes an excellent blog?

Throughout the past two weeks, we have talked a lot about digital writing and how a lot of blogs have their own flare and taste. Prior to the knowledge that I have gained over the past two weeks about blogs and blog posting, I thought that this was exactly what made a good blog. I still do think that every blog should differ from one another in their own way and style, but I have learned that when it comes down to the fundamentals, there are a number of features that formulate a good blog.

In our most recent reading, Writing for Digital Media by Brian Carroll, he writes, “blogging is an exercise of expression, making one’s view public. Increasingly, though, blogging is also an expression of community, allowing individuals to communicate and congregate.” I agree with this, I think that not only on a blog, but on the internet in general, whether it be blogging, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc., people have the ability to express themselves and write freely. Writing freely and expressing your personal opinion on things can compile a certain audience. For example, I am a fan of Barstool Sports because I enjoy how the authors strongly voice their opinion, even if it’s not always what the people reading it want to hear.  Not only can an individual write freely, but the audience can comment and reply freely. Computers and other electronic devices create communities online, and a blog is one of them.

Another point that I enjoyed talking about in class and reading about in Pete Rorabaugh’s article “Organic Writting and Digital Media: Seeds and Organs” was how when starting a blog, you may have a certain way you want to approach the process, but that process can change and expand in ways that you didn’t intend it to, the idea of product vs. process. Rorabaugh wrote, “organic writing begins with a seed–an idea–and grows in unexpected ways.” Later in the article he talks about having a “creative mind” will result in a better thought process. This can relate to “Writting Analytically” method number one, Suspend Judgement. Being non biased, open minded and not generalizing can help you as a writer get more information on paper. I think that this is something that has helped me as a writer, especially in college. You can be assigned assignments that are lengthy, and sometimes a topic that you, personally, may not exactly agree with. Having an open mind and understanding that your opinion isn’t the only opinion that matters can play a huge role in how your paper is written.

There are many factors tied into writing a good blog. There are many different websites that can be visited and each website is designed, constructed and written in their own manner. Although, when it comes down to the basics, all blogs contain certain characteristics that make it a ‘good blog’.

Question: What Makes an Excellent Blog?

In my opinion, there is no such thing as an excellent blog. In fact, it is my contention that labelling any single blog as excellent (or at the opposite end, terrible) is disingenuous at best, and dishonest at worst. A blog, at its most basic level, is simply “a value-neutral medium or media format for publishing online” (Carroll pg 138). So defined, the qualification of that medium with either positive or negative descriptors appears to completely miss the point of its existence. If a blog is value-neutral, how can we declare one blog better than another? Wouldn’t a blog be “excellent” by default, awarded that distinction merely by existing as a forum for digital sharing? I believe it would, especially considering that “organic material and compositions move through particular stages with a goal in mind, but the process takes precedence over the product” (Rorabaugh, 2012).

With that last quote in mind, I think it is fair to say that a blog exists, for better or for worse, to channel the public desires of its author. Blogs have no prescribed elements and no rigid form. Hell, they don’t even have the same audience in mind. Therefore, how can one genuinely assign words such as “excellent” without substituting their own preferences in place of objective reading? Just think about it: If you have no interest in the law, are you going to look at SCOTUSBlog as an excellent read, its technical merits notwithstanding? If you hate fluff pieces about the human condition, are you really going to think of Humans of New York as an excellent blog, even with the awareness of its reach and influence? My guess is, probably not.

With this in mind, I would like to suggest an alternative question: What makes an enjoyable blog? This question acknowledges the subjectivity of its nature and of the reader, and as such, is much fairer in nature. I therefore offer my own personal list of qualities that I look for in determining which blogs I want to frequent, but I hope (and expect) that you might not feel the same way.

5 Keys to an Enjoyable Blog:

1. It has to not be written by me. By this point, I’m sure you as the reader would agree.
2. It has to have a purpose. While a blog is technically adequate by virtue of its function as an author’s ideological repository, I concur with Morris in that such writing “has no value” to the wider world “except as it is made useful” (Morris, 2012).
3. It has to be unique, or as Carrol calls it, “authentic” (Carroll, 163). I only want to read something on your blog if it’s a thought, or at least a tone, that I haven’t come across elsewhere. Otherwise, why get bogged down in repetition?
4. It should “carve out a niche” (Carroll, 163). It should be targeted and specific with a clear point of view. Otherwise, I’m liable to get confused by muddled messaging instead of blown away by your vision.
5. It should be bold. Nothing is more boring to me than when an author plays it too safe. Take risks, share an unpopular opinion, and take solace in the fact that your blog will still most likely find an audience. If it doesn’t, oh well, your blog is still excellent because you took the time and effort to go for it!

These days, everybody is doing it. No, this is not about sex (for once), it’s about blogging. With hundreds of free, easy-to-use blogging platforms found in every corner of the internet it has never been easier for any person to start a blog. The hard part is: how do you make your blog stand out from the thousands of other plebeians trying to make a living sitting at their desk?

You can start by asking yourself:

HuffPost offers a round-up of current news, and commentary to process raw information into more palatable stories. (huffingtonpost.com)

1. What is my intention?

What do you want people to get out of reading your blog? Will you offer commentary, or provide your readers with raw information? Are you willing to do new research and legwork, or will you rely on outside sources? Will your writing be aimed at the casual reader or a more academic audience?

This is not to suggest that the answers to these questions cannot change once you begin writing your blog. But examining your intentions thoroughly before you start writing will give your blog a more cohesive, polished feel from the beginning. If writing is an organic process, then these answers are the seeds of your blog.

Design Seeds draws readers in with bright colors and a streamlined theme that sets off their vibrant posts. Their streamlined navigation makes it easy to search, without adding bulk or visual distraction. (design-seeds.com)

2. How will I draw readers in?

Even if your writing is a work of genius, chances are high that no one will read it unless it is a “beautiful thing.” Consider the difference between reading a textbook and an article on Buzzfeed . BuzzFeed breaks up its text into lists or short paragraphs and intersperses articles with graphics, images, or videos. While a textbook is theoretically constructed for utmost efficiency, it is much less enticing to browse a wall of text.

Blog themes go through trendy phases (think: minimalist), but legibility, visual interest, and breaking up text is always key. As Carroll suggests, taking time to learn blogging software and use it effectively is perhaps the most worthwhile investment you can make.

The writers of the Public Medievalist combine their unique talents in medievalism and “public history” to make seemingly a seemingly obscure field easily accessible and interesting to the modern reader. (publicmedievalist.com)

3. How will I keep them coming back?

What is your topic? Will you write on fitness? Food? Travel? Carroll suggests that in blogging, “the narrower the topic, the better.” Even in seemingly narrow categories, there are hundreds of other “unique” blogs on the same topic. What does your blog offer that your readers cannot find elsewhere?

The answer is found in your personal voice. Although there may be thousands of people embarking on a “clean-eating journey,” you are the only one bringing your particular experiences and skills along with you. Take advantage of the unique level of engagement the blogging platform offers to build a sense of transparency and intimacy on your site. A successful blog post makes the reader feel as though the author is speaking directly to them, while simultaneously opening doors to a curated community.

Now, get started!

After all this planning, you will hopefully have a clear idea in your head of the blog you want to create. The next step is to start writing, and keep writing! With consistency, planning, and a little bit of fun, you are on your way to a better-than-average blog.

The Internet gives us an opportunity to portray ourselves in many different ways. Public blog posts can be spread to all lengths of the world and how people interpret what you say can differ. In Digital Writing Uprising by Sean Morris he explains that writing is a rebellion. I believe the meaning of this is that blog posts are communal and encourage collaboration. Although this can be useful, we often don’t want or need collaboration with certain people because it can be harmful.

What makes for an excellent blog? I don’t believe there is one specific way, outline or formula for creating one but I do believe there are several reoccurring themes that all good blogs have. Here are three important ideas to writing a good blog.

The layout and visual presence of a blog is something I believe is really important. In “Why we Love Beautiful Things”, Hosey states “Instinctively, we reach out for attractive things; beauty literally moves us.” I think this holds true for blogs because I am more motivated by pictures and color than most writing we have read throughout school. This directly relates to Hosey when he mentions German research and how “that just glancing at shades of green can boost creativity and motivation.” A colorful blog with pictures and a different layout is something I find important in making a good blog and below is a good example of that. I find the layout of the writing to be motivating in terms of reading and the added pictures are a big plus. Overall, I find this an excellent blog.

http://www.humansofnewyork.com/

Making your writing useful is something that can help attract and reach a broader audience. I think that is something that helps in making an excellent blog. Yes you want to post what you think is right in terms of how you feel. But if you can use your writing to empower others and make them think or question your blog can be excellent. This is explained in Moseys piece, when he states “ If what we say is only made valuable by what readers say with what we say — how what we say is reconstructed, not just interpreted, how it is rebuilt, refabricated, repurposed — then we must write accordingly.” I believe this means our writing can take many shapes and forms and allowing people to let the writing speak to them is something that can make your blog excellent.

One last thing I find important to a blog is adding an emotional piece to it. I am usually attracted to something funny or satirical and Barstool stool sports is a good example of that. I find their writing to be somewhat harsh but I think it’s mostly meant for a good laugh. I think that attracts a large audience and can make your blog extremely attractive to a lot of people.

To me, a good blog needs to have entertaining yet worthwhile content.  It should be easy to read while still containing substance that has a clear point and that is well made.  The intent of the post can be uplifting, informative, thought-provoking, or meant to just spark laughter; however, whatever the tone and theme may be there are three major aspects that I think are the most important in a good blog.  These are legitimacy, aesthetics, and communication.

Legitimacy

To be able to trust the content I’m reading, information has to be cited correctly or at least linked to the source from which any factual information was taken.  Even if it is blog purely based on experience, having information that help contextualize the author’s position help to legitimize what I’m reading.

Aesthetics

No matter how interesting the content of a page may be, the visual aspect of the text has to be reader friendly.  This means that there should be physical breaks in-between text rather than huge blocks of words to read at a time.  As stated in Brian Carroll’s Writing for Digital Media, the writing in blogs should not only be written in a conversation tone, but it should provide visual relief for the reader.  This combination of “easy” text and graphic images makes the entire blog experience enjoyable and doable.

Enables Communication

One of the most important aspects of a good blog is its dynamic function between the author and the readers.  To again quote from Carroll: “Blogging is [] an expression of community, allowing individuals to communicate and congregate.” A good blog should have active content that can spark dialogue and conversations amongst the audience and the writer.  Pete Rorabaugh writes in his article, Organic Writing and Digital Media: Seeds and Organs, about how writing is like a seed that grows in unexpected ways.  I think that this is an important component of successful blogging: the writer’s opinions and insights should engage readers to the extent that the ideas posted are not static, but inspire new ideas, opinions, and questions that can be shared and discussed with literally anyone else in the cyber community.

Here is an example of a blog that I would consider excellent called Lost With Purpose.  It’s wholesome content is paired with vivid photographs, and the comment section is usually active and engaging.

Blogs have begun to grow in popularity as more and more people visit online writing platforms. It can be easy to obtain information on various topics by searching online for a link on a quick blog post. So what makes a good blog you might ask? There are a few qualities that can help some blogs seem more appealing than others.

1. Layout

Blogs come in various shapes and forms, however it seems to be the blog pages with a clean, organized look that draw the readers attention. It can be seen in Lance Hosey’s article Why We Love Beautiful Things that people are attracted to certain layouts more than others. The Golden Rectangle is an example of this as well. This is the phenomenon that objects in the shape of a 5×8 rectangle grab people’s attention. Blogs that keep up with this pattern by applying photographs or paragraphs in this shape make it easier for readers to flow through the information. This shape also helps readers retain the information they are reading.

2. Media

Blogs can seem more appealing if they have images and graphics to go along with the writing. The images will break up the page more and make the page easier on the eyes for someone reading it. Adding an image that coincides with the paragraph can help the readers imagine what the passage is trying to convey. Using images and graphics can also make the webpage look interesting which will grab the reader’s attention.  Buzzfeed is an online website that does a good job of balancing their words with media examples which makes it easy to fly through the reading.

3. Information

The depth of information on blogs can vary from site to site, which is a nice but annoying at times. Most consumers are in search for a quick solution. As Sean Michael Morris says in his article Digital Writing Uprising: Third-Order Thinking in the Digital Humanities, “Today there is no value to our writing except as it is made useful”. Unless the information on the blog is immediate and accurate, readers will most likely skip over the post and search for something easier to read. The immediate access to information online is what has led reader’s to be accustomed to find any type of information almost instantly.