Thinking about Technology: “Paper” #5 – Winter 2018
At least six entries ready: March 16. Final version due: 11:30 pm March 21
FORM:
The final product for this assignment should be either a Blog or Website, and 300 or more words of analysis of your blog or website. On March 21, by 11:30 pm, you should
have sent an email to Ms. Patton with 300 or more words of analysis (pasted in – no attachments!) and a link to your blog or website (http://). I expect at least ten (up to thirty) very complete (fully developed) blog postings that respond to the Social Fictions Conference, the class debates, readings, and other thoughts, including poetry and fiction if you like.
In addition, please invent another character/ role-player/ avatar who gives short opinions every time you write a post. Introduce this non-you with a picture and a short bio if the character is not already famous. Examples: President Trump, John Oliver, Wonder Woman, your sister who goes to CalTech, Bart from The Simpsons.
WHAT WE WILL DO ON March 16:
We will bring as many laptops as we can. At this point, you will respond to blogs of at least three other people in the class.
Criteria for excellence:
having at least six postings in rough form on March 16
one extensive post about at least one (and possibly more) events at the Social Fictions Conference. Including photos would add interest!
one post that you will show during your debate (may include a link to a scene from the film you are debating)
at least three posts about the other debates (not your own)
posting responses/ comments on three other people’s blogs.
style, originality, and hard work.
Non-You short posts every time you write a post
taking advantage of the blog environment, which allows use of illustrations & links
being very, very specific.
excellent analysis.
grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Note: The blog will count for about 15% of your grade. For people who have chosen number grades, here are the criteria in number form: SF Conference post 25 points, your own debate post 10, posts about other debates 15, having at least six posts by March 16 – 10, style, originality, and hard work 20, illustrations and links 10, analysis 15, the Non-You posts 10, grammar 10 points.
Here is some advice for this assignment, copied from Catherine Latterell’s book, Re-Mix, 672-3.
Select a name for your blog and visual design theme. Before doing so, consider how the blog’s name and design will affect your audience’s responses to it.
Write often! These posts should respond to the class debates, explore connections, and allow you to develop your own positions. You may write about what happened in class and what you think about that as well as what goes through your head during the next four weeks.
Incorporate links in these entries. Consider linking to a classmate’s blog or to a web page that provides an example that supports your point, defines a concept, or offers biographical information.
As you go, record your thoughts about blogging for the purposes of the 300-words of analysis. What’s fun about it? What’s difficult?
To make this more enjoyable, try the following:
Make a YouTube video and include a link for us!
Link to somebody else’s YouTube video
Tell your story in a Web Comic (try the Mac program “Comic Life” at www.plasq.com)
Add pictures!
Questions to answer in the 300-word analysis which is pasted into your email to mapatton@ucsc.edu
How would you compare blogging to other kinds of writing? What is challenging about it? What is surprising? How will it affect the way you write in other contexts?
How has blogging helped you to think about how people read “texts,” including films as texts. How texts function for different audiences?
How has blogging enabled you to respond to ideas in the class?
Was writing as the Non-You fun or tedious? Why?