Bigger version of new pic over at the side

My small family, at Thanksgiving: Andrew, Daniel and Kathryn (the kids) and me

Why we blog

I'm anticipating complaints here, that the blog assignment is nothing but busy work.

It isn't.

In my nine years of teaching, one thing I've noticed is that modes of communication and transmission of information have changed, but that composition classes have, for the most part, remained the same. I've also noticed that many, if not most, of my students haven't really internalized the idea that writing is communication, that by writing papers that reference other works (whether visual or written), they're entering a conversation.

The blogging assignment is my attempt to update the way I teach you to write, and to help you internalize the idea that you are entering a conversation. I can and will modify the blog requirements over the course of the semester, based on your feedback (though I likely won't modify the frequency required).

I will comment on your blogs. Maybe not every day. Maybe not even every week, since I rarely say anything unless I have something substantial to say, but I will be following them.

Besides. You'll be commenting on each others' blogs, so you shouldn't lack for feedback.