Writing for Online Media

Professor Nicholas Leshi

Contact Information

Professor Leshi917.570.2530

Email – nickleshi@aol.comOffice Hours: By Appointment

What is Writing for Online Media?

Definitions

Writing =

Definitions

Writing = (1) to trace or form characters, words, etc., with a pen, pencil, computer, or other instrument or means; (2) to express ideas or record concepts via inscribed characters, words, etc.; (3) to communicate by letter; (4) to compose as an author; to save into a secondary storage device or output medium.

Definitions

Writing = (1) to trace or form characters, words, etc., with a pen, pencil, computer, or other instrument or means; (2) to express ideas or record concepts via inscribed characters, words, etc.; (3) to communicate by letter; (4) to compose as an author; to save into a secondary storage device or output medium.

HOW we write and the PURPOSE of writing

Definitions

Online =

Definitions

Online = (1) with or through a computer, especially over a network; (2) of or relating to the Internet (a vast computer network linking smaller computer networks worldwide)

Definitions

Online = (1) with or through a computer, especially over a network; (2) of or relating to the Internet (a vast computer network linking smaller computer networks worldwide)

A specific TYPE of Media

Definitions

Media =

Definitions

Media = [plural of “medium”] (1) the means of communication that reach or influence people; (2) instruments of communication; (3) a means of transmission (such as print or electronic)

Definitions

Media = [plural of “medium”] (1) the means of communication that reach or influence people; (2) instruments of communication; (3) a means of transmission (such as print or electronic)

The TOOLS and ENVIRONMENT with which and in which we write

Oral Communication vs. Mass Communication

Person to Person(s) To Broader Reach of Message

Traditional Media vs. New Media

A shift from uni-directional mass media to participatory media, where viewers and readers become creators of media

What are Some Examples of Online Media?

Examples of Online MediaWeb Sites

Podcasts

Blogs

Social Networks

Message Boards

Online Forums

Chat Rooms

Image Galleries

Video Portals

Wikis

Definitions

Blog =

Blogger =

Blogosphere =

Definitions

Blog = short for “Web log;” online journal or diary, written by an individual, group, or corporation, made available to other people via the Internet; many allow readers to leave comments and link to other blogs and sites; also used as a verb, “to blog”

Blogger =

Blogosphere =

Definitions

Blog = short for “Web log;” online journal or diary, written by an individual, group, or corporation, made available to other people via the Internet; many allow readers to leave comments and link to other blogs and sites; also used as a verb, “to blog”

Blogger = someone who blogs; also the name of Google’s blogging platform

Blogosphere =

Definitions

Blog = short for “Web log;” online journal or diary, written by an individual, group, or corporation, made available to other people via the Internet; many allow readers to leave comments and link to other blogs and sites; also used as a verb, “to blog”

Blogger = someone who blogs; also the name of Google’s blogging platform

Blogosphere = the online community of blogs

Class Description

From Syllabus =

From Catalog =

Class Description

From Syllabus =

From Catalog = A study of the exploration of the theory and practice of electronic writing, nonlinear and multidimensional computer-based documents, and the linking and networking of text and other media.

Class Description

From Syllabus = From Web sites to Web logs, wikis to social media, the Internet continues to evolve and offer opportunities for communicators in various fields. Students will create their own blogs; learn about cyber-journalism; apply their writing skills toward business, politics, art, or personal expression; and explore how marketing, public relations, Web design, and other factors impact writing style in New Media.

From Catalog = A study of the exploration of the theory and practice of electronic writing, nonlinear and multidimensional computer-based documents, and the linking and networking of text and other media.

Class Objectives

Class Objectives

Explore the written word in the contemporary online media environment from practical, historical, theoretical, and critical/analytical perspectives.

Class Objectives

Explore the written word in the contemporary online media environment from practical, historical, theoretical, and critical/analytical perspectives.

Develop specific skills and techniques for online writing, and improve writing skills in general.

Class Objectives

Explore the written word in the contemporary online media environment from practical, historical, theoretical, and critical/analytical perspectives.

Develop specific skills and techniques for online writing, and improve writing skills in general.

Produce an individual blog that could be part of an online portfolio.

Required Text

Additional Required ReadingsAvailable on Class Wiki

http://writingforonlinemedia-classwiki.wikispaces.com/ReadingAssignmentLinks

Suggested Reading List (Not Required)

Suggested Reading List (Not Required)

Suggested Reading List (Not Required)

Suggested Reading List (Not Required)

Suggested Reading List (Not Required)

Suggested Reading List (Not Required)

Suggested Reading List (Not Required)

Suggested Reading List (Not Required)

Suggested Reading List (Not Required)

Class Requirements and Evaluation

Class Requirements and Evaluation

Create and maintain your own blog, posting a minimum of one entry per week.

Class Requirements and Evaluation

Additional writing, including submitting a mission statement for your blog, participating in the class wiki, adding comments on classmates’ blogs, etc.

Class Requirements and Evaluation

Mid-Term Paper, short reviews of your classmates’ blogs

Class Requirements and Evaluation

Guest Post project, write a post for someone else’s blog or Web site.

Class Requirements and Evaluation

Attendance and participation

Class Requirements and Evaluation

Final Paper, about your experience as a blog writer

and your thoughts on the future of online writing.

Grading

Letter Grade Numerical Equivalent

A 4.00 – Excellent. Honors level work.A- 3.67 – Still excellent.B+ 3.33 – Very good. High level of performance.B 3.00 – Good, solid, above average performance.B- 2.67 – Good. Still above average.C+ 2.33 – Average level of performance.C 2.00 – Satisfactory. Acceptable performance.C- 1.67 – Minimally acceptable.D 1.00 – Passing, but unsatisfactory.F 0.00 – Failure. Inferior performance.

Starting a Blog

Pick a topic you love.

Choose a catchy but simple title.

Write a brief mission statement.

Select a blogging platform.

Create your blog.

Start blogging!

Starting a Blog

Pick a topic you love.

Choose a catchy but simple title.

Write a brief mission statement.

Select a blogging platform.

Create your blog.

Start blogging!

Possible Topics for a Blog

Possible Topics for a Blog

As broad or narrow a topic as you wish

Possible Topics for a Blog

As broad or narrow a topic as you wish

Current EventsPoliticsSportsFood

EntertainmentTravel

FashionReligionHobbiesHumor

NarrativePersonal Diary

Anything!

Starting a Blog

Pick a topic you love.

Choose a catchy but simple title.

Write a brief mission statement.

Select a blogging platform.

Create your blog.

Start blogging!

Choose a Catchy Title

Examples of Blog Titles from Previous Semesters

News and Brews

Frugal in the City

The Bahstun Sports Blog

Bronx Bliss

For Reels

Thought of the Di

Foot Fetish

FictionDiction

Starting a Blog

Pick a topic you love.

Choose a catchy but simple title.

Write a brief mission statement.

Select a blogging platform.

Create your blog.

Start blogging!

What is a Mission Statement?

What is a Mission Statement?

A short, written statement of purpose

A declaration of the overall goal

A brief summary, approximately one or two sentences

Starting a Blog

Pick a topic you love.

Choose a catchy but simple title.

Write a brief mission statement.

Select a blogging platform.

Create your blog.

Start blogging!

Blogging Platforms

Blogger (Google’s Blogspot) – http://www.blogger.com

WordPress – http://wordpress.org/ OR http://wordpress.com

LiveJournal – http://www.livejournal.com/

MovableType (and TypePad) – http://www.movabletype.org/ OR http://www.typepad.com/

OpenDiary – http://www.opendiary.com/

ExpressionEngine (fee)

SquareSpace (fee)

Posterous (email-based)

Twitter (micro-blogging)

Tumblr

MySpace

Free and Open Source vs. Proprietary Software

Good Blogging Platforms

A good, acceptable blogging platform should:

• be free• be easy to use to enter a title, body of text, images, etc. • provide a good selection of design templates• be customizable• have no limits on the length or brevity of posts• permit readers to leave comments • be viewable on all Web-browsers

Good Blogging Platforms

A good, acceptable blogging platform should:

• be free• be easy to use to enter a title, body of text, images, etc. • provide a good selection of design templates• be customizable• have no limits on the length or brevity of posts• permit readers to leave comments • be viewable on all Web-browsers

Good Blogging Platforms

A good, acceptable blogging platform should:

• be free• be easy to use to enter a title, body of text, images, etc. • provide a good selection of design templates• be customizable• have no limits on the length or brevity of posts• permit readers to leave comments • be viewable on all Web-browsers

Good Blogging Platforms

A good, acceptable blogging platform should:

• be free• be easy to use to enter a title, body of text, images, etc. • provide a good selection of design templates• be customizable• have no limits on the length or brevity of posts• permit readers to leave comments • be viewable on all Web-browsers

Good Blogging Platforms

A good, acceptable blogging platform should:

• be free• be easy to use to enter a title, body of text, images, etc. • provide a good selection of design templates• be customizable• have no limits on the length or brevity of posts• permit readers to leave comments • be viewable on all Web-browsers

Good Blogging Platforms

A good, acceptable blogging platform should:

• be free• be easy to use to enter a title, body of text, images, etc. • provide a good selection of design templates• be customizable• have no limits on the length or brevity of posts• permit readers to leave comments • be viewable on all Web-browsers

Good Blogging Platforms

A good, acceptable blogging platform should:

• be free• be easy to use to enter a title, body of text, images, etc. • provide a good selection of design templates• be customizable• have no limits on the length or brevity of posts• permit readers to leave comments • be viewable on all Web-browsers

Good Blogging Platforms

A good, acceptable blogging platform should:

• be free• be easy to use to enter a title, body of text, images, etc. • provide a good selection of design templates• be customizable• have no limits on the length or brevity of posts• permit readers to leave comments • be viewable on all Web-browsers

Good Blogging Platforms

A good, acceptable blogging platform should:

• be free• be easy to use to enter a title, body of text, images, etc. • provide a good selection of design templates• be customizable• have no limits on the length or brevity of posts• permit readers to leave comments • be viewable on all Web-browsers

Recommended Blogging Platforms

Blogger (Google’s Blogspot) – http://www.blogger.com

WordPress – http://wordpress.com

LiveJournal – http://www.livejournal.com/

Tumblr – http://www.tumblr.com

Starting a Blog

Pick a topic you love.

Choose a catchy but simple title.

Write a brief mission statement.

Select a blogging platform.

Create your blog.

Start blogging!

For the purposes of this class…

…please avoid:

For the purposes of this class…

…please avoid:

Micro-blogs

For the purposes of this class…

…please avoid:

Photo-only or Video-only blogs

For the purposes of this class…

…please avoid:

Pre-existing blogs

For the purposes of this class…

…please avoid:

Collaborative blogs

For the purposes of this class…

…please avoid:

Micro-blogs

Photo-only or Video-only blogs

Pre-existing blogs

Collaborative blogs

Starting a Blog

Pick a topic you love.

Choose a catchy but simple title.

Write a brief mission statement.

Select a blogging platform.

Create your blog.

Start blogging!

Starting a Blog

Pick a topic you love.

Choose a catchy but simple title.

Write a brief mission statement.

Select a blogging platform.

Create your blog.

Start blogging!

Examples of BlogsMoon in Gemini

http://debravega.wordpress.com

Examples of BlogsAh!merican Traveler

http://www.ahmericantraveler.com

Examples of BlogsDunkin’s Diabolical Dialogue

http://dunkin.tumblr.com

Examples of BlogsEveryman Actor

http://everymanactor.blogspot.com

Examples of BlogsThis Close to Crisis

http://thisclosetocrisis.wordpress.com/

Examples of BlogsThe Knot Has Been Tied, Now What?

http://knottiednowwhat.blogspot.com

Examples of BlogsFatherhood Matters

http://fatherhoodmatters.blogspot.com/

Examples of BlogsThe Lextopia

http://thelex-topia.blogspot.com/

Examples of BlogsLiving with ALShttp://edbartosik.com/

Examples of BlogsMust.Have.Wine

http://www.must-have-wine.com/

Examples of BlogsThe Mind of Gina Lockhart

http://ginalockhart.wordpress.com/

Examples of BlogsPaul Levinson’s Infinite Regress

http://paullevinson.blogspot.com/

Examples of BlogsBlog Time Passing

http://lancestrate.blogspot.com/

Examples of BlogsCity of Kik

http://nickleshi.blogspot.com

Popular BlogsNew York Times Blogs

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/blogs/directory.html

Popular BlogsThe Huffington Post

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

Popular BlogsOpen Salon

http://www.open.salon.com

Popular BlogsEngadget

http://www.engadget.com

Popular BlogsGawker

http://www.gawker.com

Popular BlogsThe Daily Dish

http://dish.andrewsullivan.com

Popular BlogsHeat Vision

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/heat-vision

Popular BlogsPolitical Ticker

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/

Blogging Tips

Blog Post Titles (Headlines) are important

Blogging is storytelling – make it interesting

Design is important – don’t make it difficult to read(Layout, Pictures, etc.)

Link, link, link

Engage in the Blogosphere (Read, Comment, and Respond)

Write on a regular basis

Blogging Tips

Blog Post Titles (Headlines) are important

Blogging is storytelling – make it interesting

Design is important – don’t make it difficult to read(Layout, Pictures, etc.)

Link, link, link

Engage in the Blogosphere (Read, Comment, and Respond)

Write on a regular basis

Blogging Tips

Blog Post Titles (Headlines) are important

Blogging is storytelling – make it interesting

Design is important – don’t make it difficult to read(Layout, Pictures, etc.)

Link, link, link

Engage in the Blogosphere (Read, Comment, and Respond)

Write on a regular basis

Blogging Tips

Blog Post Titles (Headlines) are important

Blogging is storytelling – make it interesting

Design is important – don’t make it difficult to read(Layout, Pictures, etc.)

Link, link, link

Engage in the Blogosphere (Read, Comment, and Respond)

Write on a regular basis

Blogging Tips

Blog Post Titles (Headlines) are important

Blogging is storytelling – make it interesting

Design is important – don’t make it difficult to read(Layout, Pictures, etc.)

Link, link, link

Engage in the Blogosphere (Read, Comment, and Respond)

Write on a regular basis

Blogging Tips

Blog Post Titles (Headlines) are important

Blogging is storytelling – make it interesting

Design is important – don’t make it difficult to read(Layout, Pictures, etc.)

Link, link, link

Engage in the Blogosphere (Read, Comment, and Respond)

Write on a regular basis

Blogging Tips

Blog Post Titles (Headlines) are important

Blogging is storytelling – make it interesting

Design is important – don’t make it difficult to read(Layout, Pictures, etc.)

Link, link, link

Engage in the Blogosphere (Read, Comment, and Respond)

Write on a regular basis

Blogging Tips

Blog Post Titles (Headlines) are important

Blogging is storytelling – make it interesting

Design is important – don’t make it difficult to read(Layout, Pictures, etc.)

Link, link, link

Engage in the Blogosphere (Read, Comment, and Respond)

Write on a regular basis

Writing Tips

Write what you know

Research what you don’t know

Show, don’t tell

Use strong verbs and nouns

Check spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Writing is rewriting

Writing Tips

Write what you know

Research what you don’t know

Show, don’t tell

Use strong verbs and nouns

Check spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Writing is rewriting

Writing Tips

Write what you know

Research what you don’t know

Show, don’t tell

Use strong verbs and nouns

Check spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Writing is rewriting

Writing Tips

Write what you know

Research what you don’t know

Show, don’t tell

Use strong verbs and nouns

Check spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Writing is rewriting

Writing Tips

Write what you know

Research what you don’t know

Show, don’t tell

Use strong verbs and nouns

Check spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Writing is rewriting

Writing Tips

Write what you know

Research what you don’t know

Show, don’t tell

Use strong verbs and nouns

Check spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Writing is rewriting

Writing Tips

Write what you know

Research what you don’t know

Show, don’t tell

Use strong verbs and nouns

Check spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Writing is rewriting

Writing Tips

Write what you know

Research what you don’t know

Show, don’t tell

Use strong verbs and nouns

Check spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Writing is rewriting

What is a Wiki?

What is a Wiki?

“Wiki” means “quick” in Hawaiian.

A wiki is a Web application that allows anyone visiting a Web site to edit content on it using a Web browser, either through a mark-up language (XML – extensible markup language, HTML – hypertext markup language, the standard protocol for formatting and displaying documents on the World Wide Web) or through a WYSYWYG editor (“What You See Is What You Get”).

Examples of Wikis

Wikipedia – http://www.wikipedia.org

wikiHow – http://www.wikihow.com

WetPaint – http://www.wetpaint.com

ProductWiki – http://www.productwiki.com

Wincyclopedia – http://www.wincyclopedia.com

(WikiLeaks started as a wiki but no longer accepts user edits.)

Examples of Wiki EnginesMediaWiki

TikiWiki

DokuWiki

JSPWiki

WikkaWiki

VQWiki

Xwiki

WackoWiki

PmWiki

The MoinMoin Wiki Engine

Our Class Wiki = Wikispaces

Our Class Wiki = Wikispaces

Step 1: Visit our shared class wiki –

Step 2: Click the “Edit” tab

Step 3: Following the example:Add your blog’s titleLink your blog title to your blog’s URL Add your blog’s Mission Statement

Step 4: When you are happy with all your edits, click “Save.”

Our Class Wiki = Wikispaces

Step 1: Visit our shared class wiki –http://writingforonlinemedia-classwiki.wikispaces.com/

Step 2: Click the “Edit” tab

Step 3: Following the example:Add your blog’s titleLink your blog title to your blog’s URL Add your blog’s Mission Statement

Step 4: When you are happy with all your edits, click “Save.”

Our Class Wiki = Wikispaces

Step 1: Visit our shared class wiki –http://writingforonlinemedia-classwiki.wikispaces.com/

Step 2: Click the “Edit” tab

Step 3: Following the example:Add your blog’s titleLink your blog title to your blog’s URL Add your blog’s Mission Statement

Step 4: When you are happy with all your edits, click “Save.”

Our Class Wiki = Wikispaces

Step 1: Visit our shared class wiki –http://writingforonlinemedia-classwiki.wikispaces.com/

Step 2: Click the “Edit” tab

Step 3: Following the example:Add your blog’s titleLink your blog title to your blog’s URL Add your blog’s Mission Statement

Step 4: When you are happy with all your edits, click “Save.”

Our Class Wiki = Wikispaces

Step 1: Visit our shared class wiki –http://writingforonlinemedia-classwiki.wikispaces.com/

Step 2: Click the “Edit” tab

Step 3: Following the example:Add your blog’s titleLink your blog title to your blog’s URL Add your blog’s Mission Statement

Step 4: When you are happy with all your edits, click “Save.”

Our Class Wiki = Wikispaces

Step 1: Visit our shared class wiki –http://writingforonlinemedia-classwiki.wikispaces.com/

Step 2: Click the “Edit” tab

Step 3: Following the example:Add your blog’s titleLink your blog title to your blog’s URL Add your blog’s Mission Statement

Step 4: When you are happy with all your edits, click “Save.”

Ways to Combat Writer’s Block

Stick to a regular writing schedule.

Write an ongoing “evergreen” list of ideas.

Keep a journal.

Never throw away anything that you’ve written.

Chat with a fellow writer.

Take a break and clear your head.

Read other blogs.

Ways to Combat Writer’s Block

Stick to a regular writing schedule.

Write an ongoing “evergreen” list of ideas.

Keep a journal.

Never throw away anything that you’ve written.

Chat with a fellow writer.

Take a break and clear your head.

Read other blogs.

Ways to Combat Writer’s Block

Stick to a regular writing schedule.

Write an ongoing “evergreen” list of ideas.

Keep a journal.

Never throw away anything that you’ve written.

Chat with a fellow writer.

Take a break and clear your head.

Read other blogs.

Ways to Combat Writer’s Block

Stick to a regular writing schedule.

Write an ongoing “evergreen” list of ideas.

Keep a journal.

Never throw away anything that you’ve written.

Chat with a fellow writer.

Take a break and clear your head.

Read other blogs.

Ways to Combat Writer’s Block

Stick to a regular writing schedule.

Write an ongoing “evergreen” list of ideas.

Keep a journal.

Never throw away anything that you’ve written.

Chat with a fellow writer.

Take a break and clear your head.

Read other blogs.

Ways to Combat Writer’s Block

Stick to a regular writing schedule.

Write an ongoing “evergreen” list of ideas.

Keep a journal.

Never throw away anything that you’ve written.

Chat with a fellow writer.

Take a break and clear your head.

Read other blogs.

Ways to Combat Writer’s Block

Stick to a regular writing schedule.

Write an ongoing “evergreen” list of ideas.

Keep a journal.

Never throw away anything that you’ve written.

Chat with a fellow writer.

Take a break and clear your head.

Read other blogs.

Ways to Combat Writer’s Block

Stick to a regular writing schedule.

Write an ongoing “evergreen” list of ideas.

Keep a journal.

Never throw away anything that you’ve written.

Chat with a fellow writer.

Take a break and clear your head.

Read other blogs.

Ways to Combat Writer’s Block

Stick to a regular writing schedule.

Write an ongoing “evergreen” list of ideas.

Keep a journal.

Never throw away anything that you’ve written.

Chat with a fellow writer.

Take a break and clear your head.

Read other blogs.

Assignments Due Next Class

Create a blog.

Post your blog link and mission statement on our Class Wiki.

Read the first chapter of the required text, Blogging by Jill Walker Rettberg.

Have fun.