Having Trouble Viewing Someone Else's Blog?

Some of you may encounter this problem: You select a peer's blog from the right column of my blog, but when the page loads, it is an incorrect feed. This means you don't actually see the blog page, but instead that you see code. To fix this, delete the part of the url (at the top of the page) that is after .com.

For example, if you select Dakota May's Eng 1A Blog, it might go to page: dmaydelta.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
To see his actual blog, delete the last part of the url so that it only reads as dmaydelta.blogspot.com
Now you will see his real blog, instead of code.

Sample Reading Response (TSIS Ch 3)

Summary:
In Chapter Three of Gerald Graff and Cathy Birkenstein's They Say I Say, the idea of the quotation sandwich is introduced. Graff and Birkenstein devote this chapter to offer writers numerous moves that can be employed in quoting another author. The most important thing to do, they argue, is to engage the quote using the "quotation sandwich." All quotes have to be framed with an introduction and explanation; otherwise they are what they call "hit and run" quotes or "orphan" quotes. The introduction to the quote should include who is speaking and the context of the quote. The explanation or follow-up statement should explain what the quote means and how it relates to the larger claim being made in the paper. Graff and Birkenstein offer numerous templates to make this move easier.

Response:
While reading this chapter the first time, I worried that the idea of the quotation sandwich may be too simplistic or repetitive. Sometimes it is nice to imbed a quote seamlessly without having to use three steps or sentences to do so. For example, I could write something like, "One of the main ideas from Shakspeare's As You Like It is that 'all the world's a stage.'" The problem with this line is that it doesn't indicate who said this line and in what context. It also assumes that all readers read the line "all the world's a stage" in the same way. In other words, it makes the line speak for itself, which can often lead to misinterpretation of an author's point. I now ensure that I have used this move in all of my writing, every time I quote. While I may not always use three sentences or use the templates provided, I always do the move and fully engage a quote when using it in my essays.

Blog posts schedule of due dates:
August 31st
September 14th
September 28th
October 12th
October 26th
November 9th
November 23rd
December 7th

All posts are due by midnight of the due date, including both the original posts and your response to your peer(s).

ENG 1A Fall 2014
Instructor: Sarah Antinora
Reading Response Blog

General Description and Purpose: One of the main objectives of this course is to encourage you to write in order to make your voice heard. An important component of that idea is the understanding that writing is done in the public sphere, with a public audience. These posts will be in replacement of weekly 1-page reading “write ups,” or responses. Instead, your response will be public, with a broader audience than just your instructor.

Instructions:

·         Create a blog. Create an account by going to www.blogspot.com, and clicking on “Create your blog now.” You will need an e-mail account to create your blog—you may use your Delta account or a personal e-mail. In the second step, you will title your blog and create an internet address. I entitled my blog “Antinora’s ENG 1A Blog” and my address is: www.santinoradelta.blogspot.com. After choosing a template, the site will immediately open the page that allows you to create a new post.

·         E-mail me at santinora@deltacollege.edu with your name and blog address.

·         Each two weeks, you will respond to one of the readings via a post on your blog.

·         Your blog will consist of two parts. First, summarize the reading. Second, react to the reading by thinking critically.

·         Then, read one of the blog posts of your peers. You can access all of your peers’ blogs at mine or link to your favorites on your own page. Respond critically and thoughtfully to your peer’s post (and perhaps even another classmate’s response in the comments).

Questions you may have:

1.      What do I blog about? Any reading related to the course (homework in the textbook, online readings, in-class readings, etc).

2.      How often do I need to blog? At least once every two weeks. Your blog for the previous week should be posted by midnight Sunday. The first blog must be posted by Sunday, August 31st, at midnight.

3.      How long should a post be? In general, your post should be about 200 words in length. Remember, you must summarize for any reader who may not be familiar with the details, while also reacting to the reading. Your response should at least equal the length of the summary.

4.      Who will read my blog? Your instructor, your fellow classmates, and quite possibly random internet surfers. Yes, you will read the blogs of your peers.

5.      How does the blog get graded? The blog is worth 10% of your course grade. You will need to post eight times, beginning with the one due 8/31. If you summarize the reading with enough detail to inform your reader, provide a thoughtful response, and thoughtfully comment upon a peer’s post, then you will get full points.