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Below you will find some general tips to follow to help you create headlines to hook you readers.  You want them to read because you sound like you have something to say. 

1. Give Me [short time period] and I’ll Give You [blank].

This headline promises a strong benefit to the reader, like all good headlines do. But this one is especially effective because it promises to deliver in a very short time period.

• Give Me Five Days – And I’ll Give You the Secret of Learning any Subject!
• Give Me Three Minutes a Day – and I’ll Give You a Better Complexion.
• Give Me 3 Minutes and I’ll Make You a Better Blogger.

2. If You Don’t [blank] Now, You’ll Hate Yourself Later.

We love to belong, but feeling excluded is a real bummer. Whether it be a financial opportunity or the social event of the year, we simply hate it when we get left out.

• If You’re Write Your Posts Now, You’ll Hate Yourself Later.
• If You’re Not on the Honor Roll, You’ll Hate Yourself Later.
• If You Don’t Edit Your Blogposts Now, Your Readers Will Hate You Later.

3. The Lazy [blank’s] Way to [blank].

This headline has always worked well with time-pressured people, and that’s certainly true for most people today. No one likes to think of themselves as lazy, but everyone likes to save time and effort.

• The Lazy Student’s Way to Good Grades.
• The Lazy Dad’s Way to Quickly Getting Dinner on the Table.
• The Lazy Blogger’s Way to Write Great Post Titles.

4. Do You Recognize the [number] Early Warning Signs of [blank]?

OK, technically this is still a list, but it’s wrapped up in a much more compelling structure than your typical “Top 10” article. People want to avoid problems, and this headline promises the critical tips before it’s too late.

• Do You Recognize the 4 Early Warning Signs of School Burnout?
• Do You Recognize the 2 Early Warning Signs of an Unsuccessful Blogger?
• Do You Recognize the 5 Early Warning Signs of Drug Addiction?

5. See How Easily You Can [desirable result].

We love quick and easy when it comes to learning something new or gaining some advantage.

• See How Easily You Can Learn to Dance This New Way.
• See How Easily You Can Get Good Grades.
• See How Easily You Can Add Bling to Your Blogpage.

6. You Don’t Have to Be [something challenging] to be [desired result].

People almost always have preconceived notions about things, and this can be a barrier to taking action. Remove the barrier that stands between them and the desired result with your headline, and people will flock to read what you have to say.

• You Don’t Have to Be Rich to Retire on a Guaranteed Income for Life.
• You Don’t Have to Be a Geek to Make Good Grades.
• You Don’t Have to Be a Computer Nerd to Create a Great Blog.

7. Do You Make These Mistakes?

This is always a powerful attention grabber, since no one likes to make mistakes. If you’ve targeted your content well for your intended audience, helping people avoid common mistakes is a sure-fire winner with this type of headline.

For this class, I want you to gain readers and to have meaningful conversations with them.  So to help you do that this blog post gives some ideas about mistakes that will hinder your readership. 

Here are some mistakes that you should avoid:

• Mistake #1: You don’t post enough.  Common sense.  The more you post, the more people will be tempted to follow.
• Mistake #2: You post too much. Yes, this is possible, too. There is no need to post 3 or 4 times a day.  Too much.  5 posts per week is what we are aiming for.
• Mistake #3: Your post is too long. 200–400 word range is good.  There are times when you will write less and there are times when you will need to post more.  You can get away with this a lonnnnng post if your posts are “scannable”—that is, you make use of subheads, lists, and other devices that keep people moving through your content. If a post starts getting too long, consider breaking it up into several posts.
• Mistake #4: You don’t invite engagement.   You want your readers to be participate in a conversation with you.  You want them to be engaged.
• Mistake #5: You don’t participate in the conversation. When you don’t respond to those who responded to you, you are ignoring guests and that is rude.  . People want to have a conversation—with YOU.
• Mistake #6: You don’t make your content accessible.  Skim and Scan.  That is what we are doing these days.  When you use subheads, lists of bullets or numbers, it draws readers in by making your content accessible. Shorter paragraphs also help.
• Mistake #7: You don’t create catchy headlines.  You want to hook them.  Follow this link for examples of headline templates to follow.
• Mistake #8: Your first paragraph is weak.  If they are reading then maybe your hook worked.  Now you need to keep their attention.  Get to the point so that the reader wants to invest time into your blog.   
• Mistake #9: Your post is off-topic.  Your blog is a learning tool and therefore should reflect you and your thinking.  We should not be forced to read about how you just lovvvvvve Neyo’s new haircut.  Now if you can work your blog around to commenting on how Neyo’s haircut is a reflection of his self-expression and that you wish all other African American males should feel this empowerment, then, maybe…
• Mistake #10: Your post is about YOU. But do your readers know or even care who you are?  No.  More like they want to read a message that speaks to them.

The list below is a brief reminder of what you must do as a commenter.  There is a link to a blog post that I wrote on my personal blog page.

Commenting:

• count three out activity
• learn commenting guidelines
• start a conversation
• replying to comments
• visit posts from overseas students and classes to leave comments

Give your response a title.

Explain what you think the cartoon, picture, video, quote is saying/showing.

• What point is the is the creator making?
• What is the issue, theme or big idea?
• Can you connect this to a film, book or experience?
• What is your opinion?

Your response should be a thoughtful reflection about the prompt.

Ms. Waters, one of the creators, of Edublogs has an article that she has written to help others blog better.

• Use paragraphs to break up your ideas
• Use headings so that others can track your VIP points
• Remember to hyperlink
• Always comment back to those who have commented on your work
• Subscribe to your own blog feed so that you can see what the post looks like to others

Here tips are good ones and she has many, many, many, many, more on her site.  Check it out if you wish to find oodles of resources and tips about commenting and blogging.

http://theedublogger.com/2008/04/27/heres-my-first-five-tips-for-writing-better-blog-posts-what-are-yours/

How do you create a blog post about a quote?

First you read the quote.

Then you read the quote again.

Then you read the quote and ask yourself what did they mean by this?

<Describe where the speech, panel discussion, presentation, or assembly took place>. < Explain who was in the audience and what the event was about. Why did they come?>. <Then, describe who the speaker(s) were, in general.> <End this paragraph by introducing one of the speaker’s specific quotations>

“<Put quote here>.”

Hearing this quote just made me realize that < finish this sentence>. <Add two or three more sentences explaining what the quotation means to you.>

Another quote that stuck out to me from <describe the event> was <explain who said this and when it was said.>:

“<Second quote goes here>.”

Seeing this quote again, I see how <Explain why this quote has power for you.>. It opens my eyes because this quote is saying that <Finish this sentence, then write three or four more explaining what this quote means to you.> Now keeping this in mind, <Ask your reader if they agree with you and/or your speaker>.

Another quote that surprised me was something <describe the speaker> said. This surprised me because <explain what was remarkable about these words when you heard them.> It really shows <explain why this quote is important to life in general>:

“<Put a quote that goes on for more than one sentence here.>”

<Add more of your own thoughts about this topic.>

Commenting about someone’s podcast/vodcast/movie

Dear <First Name of Videomaker>

What I noticed most about, “<Exact Title of the Video>< If this is a new discussion item, add a link to the original source under your title> ,” was <… Add 2 or 3 sentences describing what stands out for you and why.>

When <person in the video> said, “<Quote from the video.>” I was thinking <report what was going on in your head the first time you were watching this part of the video.> I think this is <descriptive adjective> because… <Add 1 or 2 sentences explaining why you chose this quote.>

One of the <sections of the video / images> that I <strong verb> was where <Describe this section of the video in detail.> This stood out for me because <… Add 1 or 2 sentences.>

I <do/don’t> <adverb, word that ends in “-ly”> <like/dislike, agree/disagree that> <… Summarize something from the  that you have an opinion about.> One reason I say this is<… Explain in 1 or 2 sentences.> Another reason I <agree/disagree with you> <like/dislike your video> is <… Give another reason in a couple of sentences.>

<End your response in a nice way… by thanking the videomaker for his/her work and saying why you might want to see more from this young videomaker. Why might you want to see his/her thoughts again in the future?>

There is a protocol to follow when COMMENTING

1. Speak directly to the student or teacher whose post you are responding to.  Address them by name: Mary, Ms. B. etc.
2. Quote from the post or describe specific details (of an image or video).
3. Relate the work to your own experiences or to another text, image, video, or audio that this one reminds you of.
4. Let the author know if you agree with him/her and WHY
5. It is ok to disagree with something, just let the author know why you feel that way.
6. One word comments are not useful or helpful and they don’t indicate how you really feel.
7. Be encouraging and generous with your remarks. End on a positive note.
8. Re-read what you have written.  Make sure that it is some of your best work.
9. Always be polite . It does not matter if you agree or disagree with what you are reading in a blog. Don’t write anything you would be ashamed of saying to someone’s face. Don’t hurt somebody’s feelings.

Don’t mistake commenting on your friends’ pages about their pictures with commenting on a classmate’s page about their poems.

Personal Social Networking uses text speak.  Academic Social Networking uses English.

Social commenting is what you do with your friends on Facebook or MySpace:

1. I am soooooooooooooo exited about giving my prezentashun tommorow!!!!!
2. you are ridiculous!
3. i HATE YOU!\\
4. haha
5. U 2 r really stooped.
6. Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! don’t write about this again.
7. heeeeeeyy!!:)
8. whats up??
9. did you do your homework for geography?

What kind of comments are we aiming for on an academic oriented classroom blog?

• Related to the content of the post.
• Continuing a conversation started in the post or in other comments.
• Connected to content learned or discussed in the classroom.
• Challenges someone’s point of view.

Add something to the author’s post in form of a :

• link
• connection
• idea
• reminder
• new perspective

SAMPLE COMMENT TO A POST

Dear <First Name of Poster> :

Please keep in mind the following guidelines:

I do/don’t <adverb> agree with you that… One reason I say this is… Another reason I agree/disagree with you is…

I <past tense verb showing emotion> your <post/poem/essay/letter/image…>, “<Exact Title>,” because… <add 5 OR 6 sentences>

One sentence you wrote that stands out for me is: “<Quote from message.>” I think this is <adjective> because… <add 5 or 6 sentences>

Another sentence that I <past tense verb> was: “<Quote from message>.” This stood out for me because…

Your <post/poem/essay/letter/image…> reminds me of something that happened to me. One time… <Add 5 OR 6 sentences telling your own story.>

Thanks for your writing. I look forward to seeing what you write next, because… add 5 OR 6 sentences explaining what will bring you back to see more about this person’s thoughts.

ACCEPTABLE     RESPONSES…..

1. I wish I understood why…….
2. This is important because…….
3. Another thing to consider is…….
4. I can relate to this…….
5. This makes me think of…….
6. You post made me form an opinion about….
7. I discovered…….
8. I don’t understand…….
9. I was reminded that…….
10. I found myself wondering…….

Interesting pic. I am not promoting tatoo use.

Need help getting started in your blog response to a poem?

Take tips below.

Free Response Journal entry: Before you begin to write be sure to complete a free response journal entry on paper.  Start writing about your poem.  Write non-stop.  What did it remind you of?  What have you thought about your poem  since the last time you saw or heard it? Once you have had an opportunity to free write, begin to compose your response.  Do Not Forget, You are to change the information that is located between the <brackets>  Choose any or all of the topics below to help you compose your post.  Take you rtime and be descriptive. We want to see, hear, taste, feel, and smell what you experienced when you read and reflected on the poem.

1. Attention Getter: One line from <Title> that stands out for me is: “<Copy a line from the poem >I think this is <adjective> because… <Add 4 or 5 sentences>
2. Attention Getter: Another line that I <past tense verb> was: “<Copy another line from the poem >.” This stood out for me because…
3. Comparison to your life <Title of poem > reminds me of something that happened to me. One time… <Add 4 or 5 sentences telling your own story.>
4. Author Interest: I <would / wouldn’t> like to read more <poems > by <Author’s First and Last Name>, because…  <Add 4 or 5 sentences explaining why you feel this way.>
5. Something interesting happens: Something interesting happens on line < ____ > where it says: “<Copy the line or lines from the poem>.” This is a important point in the poem because <Explain the events or conflicts in the poems so far, then go on to explain why you think this particular event or conflict is interesting, surprising, predictable (or not), unusual, fun, odd, or enjoyable.>
6. Literary elements: Discuss those literary elements within the poem: hyperboles, symbols, personification, metaphors, similes, etc.
7. Theme: One of the big ideas or themes in this poem is <Finish this sentence.> You can see this on line <_____> where it says: “<Copy lines from the poem>.” As you can see <Author’s Last Name> wants us to think about… <re-state what you think the main ideas are behind the lines and literary elements within the poem.>
8. Current Event: So far,  the <plot / characters / themes> in <Title> reminds me of a story in the news. What happened was…<Add 3 or 4 sentences telling about something from the news. Give the source of your information. Make a link to it if possible. Describe what is similar and what is different in the story from the news and the one in your poem.>