BLOG CRITERIA
The purpose of this blog is twofold: as a place to reflect on the questions and issues raised in class and as a forum to engage in critical literary discussions with your peers.
You'll probably notice that you will be crafting your words much more critically, knowing that you are expected to show a commitment to your ideas by making them public and that others will be commenting on your ideas. This is not necessarily a bad thing; intelligent, informed debate and thoughtful reflection can provide very powerful learning opportunities...you will be amazed at what transpires here.
HOW IT WORKS
In addition to our class readings, you will select a book from the Independent Novel Study (INS) list. It is your responsibility to finish this novel by the last week of this class (successful completion of your final essay depends on this!). You will be expected to post regular entries about your novel. If you absolutely loathe your novel, pick a new one...but realize that you must still finish reading it by the original deadline.
Every week, you will be expected to post ONE entry on your blog. This weekly entry will be assigned during Monday's class and is due at the end of the week. Expect to complete entries that ask you to reflect on what we are reading in class, what you are reading for your INS or questions that will challenge you to think of language and literature beyond homework, assignments and tests.
Along with this entry, you will also be expected to post comments on two other classmate's entries for that week. You should choose two new classmates each time. Your comments should be thoughtful, respectful and show a careful consideration of the other person's words and ideas. Agree with them, disagree (respectfully!) with them, banter back and forth or make a connection to something else...in other words, engage in an intellectual exchange of ideas.
ASSESSMENT
Each weekly entry should be the length of a well developed paragraph and will be given mark out of 10. I am looking for:
- Level of engagement with and consideration of the text/question/prompt
- Ability to make connections to other literature, media or experiences
- Consideration of how literary devices contribute to the novel
- Adherence to conventions of spelling, grammar and punctuation
Each week, your two comments will be given a mark out of 5. I am looking for:
- Level of engagement with, and consideration of, the blogger's ideas
- Thoughtful, thought-provoking contributions that foster conversation
- Ability to connect class/INS novel to the blogger's ideas
- Respectfulness/appropriateness of messages
DUE DATES
Entries (assigned each Monday) will be due EACH FRIDAY by 3:00 p.m.
Comments for each week will be due EACH SUNDAY by 8:00 p.m.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Please remember to stick to the rules and guidelines of blogging outlined in class, lest you incur the wrath of Ms. Mah.
Trouble finding access to a computer to post with? Try the School Library (8:30-3:30 Monday thru Friday) or The Richmond Public Library:
Steveston Branch:
10:00-9:00 Monday thru Friday
10:00-5:00 Saturday and Sunday
Ironwood Branch:
9:00-9:00 Monday thru Friday
10:00-5:00 Saturday and Sunday
Brighouse (Main) Branch:
9:00-9:30 Monday thru Friday
10:00-5:00 Saturday and Sunday
