To establish my blog criteria I have chosen to analyse the blog post making the set for ABC posted by Karin. I enjoyed this post because:
This post both identifies the situation (in this case, the assignment) and uses the post to work through solutions and ideas.
In this way it is well structured – it introduces the challenge and works through requirements to reach a conclusion. The post flows well.
It’s easy and clear to read, while still giving a sense of the authors voice. This keeps it engaging.
While this post may have been more for the authors benefit, to remind her of the assessment requirements, it remains relevant and helpful to the reader. It’s well researched an provides links to further info.
It addresses complex issues regarding our work in second life that I had not even considered – it’s clear the author is carefully considering and understanding these issues. And informing me at the same time, most convenient
After considering the serious stuff, it concludes with a nice element of creative brainstorming, giving more insight into the author’s personal spin on the task and what might be in store.
Oh, and it has a pretty picture.
I also enjoyed it because it kinda kicked me into gear regarding considering some of these assignment requirements. I enjoyed seeing the blog used as a tool – both logistically and creatively. In respect of that, I would like to apply these principles to my own blog by:
Using my blog more as a creative tool. I want to be less inhibited about discussing challenges and finding solutions using my blog as an idea springboard. I can use my blog posts more to remind and reinforce what our second life tasks require, what the criteria are, what is important and why this is all relevant. This provides excellent points for me to refer back to, as well as allowing me to map creative processes.
Structuring posts so they flow coherently and naturally. Sometimes I try and cram too many ideas in one post. Often I will talk far too much or include too much info. I need to learn to structure rather than ramble and also learn to shhh.
My writing will be clearer and easier to read. Apparently I use to many qualifiers. I am over-qualified ha! I want to keep my voice, but tidy up my writing. My blog is an excellent space to do this.
Sometimes my posts are too diaristic, egocentric even. While alot of what we post about is quite specific to the course, I want to include elements in my post that allow it to be engaging and relevant to all readers, not just Integrated Media 2 students and my tutor. How I will make a post about sculptypaint particularly relevant to everyone, I am not sure, but I will find a way. Use external links to add depth to topics.
Demonstrate I am examining issues that are arising and looking for solutions during our production in second life. My blog can be not just informative, but also helpful, primarily to myself, but maybe, just maybe, to other students out there also.
By writing, brainstorming and structuring as above, I want to engage readers enough that they come back to the blog. I want to titillate them, give them clues to the masterpiece we will be creating, so they come back to see it. This is surely the key to a successful blog. It probably means I should learn to be a bit more concise also. Long posts are not at all becoming (case in point).
More pictures, gawdammit. I’m working on it. Sick of staring at my blog’s boring face.
I think these criteria are easily achievable and tbh are elements I strive for in my blog anyway. We’ll see how we go. (Baited breath. No, not really.)
