Topic: What is your topic? is it specific enough but not too narrow? Discuss the specific stimuli to which your blog entries will respond.
The topic I would like to write about in my enthusiast blog is unusual or bad gifts given by friends or family members (more often than not from an elderly grandmother or aunt). I think that the idea is specific (gifts), but broad enough because it can relate to anything that may have been a gift or even the circumstance in which the gift was given. I could also include in my posts things that should not be given as gifts.
Audience: Describe the audience that you'd like to attract. What types of things do you imagine this audience would like to see and read? What would they not like to see?
The audience is pretty large because most people, provided financial/family situations, have probably had encounters with gifts they've received that they haven't liked or have been very comical. I think that in some cases, pictures of the gift would embellish the post so that readers could see the physical object and not just have to picture it in their minds.
Personality: Describe the style that you'll be aiming for in both the writing and design of your blog. How will it rhetorically support your blog's concept and focus?
I'll probably be aiming for a comedic style in recounting memories of gifts given or stories from others who have received unusual gifts. I think that this will support the blog's focus because the idea is about gifts that were unusual, so reading about it should make readers laugh or roll their eyes.
Based on all of your above answers, list a few potential titles for your blog as well as a few potential post ideas.
Strange gifts, Things my grandmother gave me, Unwanted gifts..., Thanks...?
1. actual gifts that i've received that were strange/unusual
2. gifts received by people that i know
3. coming up with funny items that shouldn't be given as gifts and why
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Response to Suzanne Stefanac reading
In order for an enthusiast blog to be a success, Stefanac shows that it should follow certain guidelines. While it is important to blog about a topic of interest or an obsession, it is just as important to engage the readers by writing regularly, being relatable, and showing personality in every post. She gives the example of one blogger, Mr. Jalopy, as someone who is largely followed.
Although I personally don't have an interest in machinery, I can see how readers with this hobby would be drawn to Mr. Jalopy's page. It seems that he makes his posts interesting and relatable by including little stories and memories that readers may be able to connect with. These little blurbs also make the reader feel like they're learning about Mr. Jalopy and even forming some sort of aquaintence.
This article was helpful in understanding more of the foundations of enthusiast blogs, how to get started and the importance of making the blog focused. Using excerpts from Mr. Jalopy's blog and an interview, Stefanac showed that anyone can create a blog, but in order for it to be a source where return and continue to read, there must be personality and persistance.
Although I personally don't have an interest in machinery, I can see how readers with this hobby would be drawn to Mr. Jalopy's page. It seems that he makes his posts interesting and relatable by including little stories and memories that readers may be able to connect with. These little blurbs also make the reader feel like they're learning about Mr. Jalopy and even forming some sort of aquaintence.
This article was helpful in understanding more of the foundations of enthusiast blogs, how to get started and the importance of making the blog focused. Using excerpts from Mr. Jalopy's blog and an interview, Stefanac showed that anyone can create a blog, but in order for it to be a source where return and continue to read, there must be personality and persistance.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Response to Rebecca Blood reading
Weblogs are a fairly new outlet of writing, starting in the late 1990's growing quickly from only 23 existing in 1999 to thousands. Since many people started websites allowing anyone to read other blogs and create their own weblogs, it seemed to be a new fad. It is interesting how the creation of a blog started with only those people computer-savvy enough to create their own website. It is interesting how this phenomena became a form of online community with authors of different blogs referencing eachother, adding links to friends' sites and being able to host ongoing discussions or arguments at length.
Another interesting point that Blood discusses is the difference between different weblog-creation sites. "Blogger" allows the writer complete freedom in regards to formatting and content, writing as in a journal, whereas "Metafilter interface" has a more strictly structured setup with multiple boxes that must be filled. As Blood suggests, I agree with the thought that newcomers to the world of blogging would find the journal-style, open blog more appealing than the filter-style.
It is also interesting that through creating and the upkeep of a weblog, anyone might find new interests or connections in their lives that may not have been so apparent before entering this world. Writing in this environment would probably allow most people to become more comfortable and confident in their writing and/or ideas as Blood suggests. I think that this form of journal-style writing would definitely push writers to become more involved in their surroundings and more connected with others than they would have been if they were writing, instead, in a notebook.
Overall, Blood is very optimistic about the opportunities and benefits that could come from being involved in the weblog community. While they are all unique and expressive, she also brings up the good point that in excess, they may be overwhelming. I think that once you are involved in the blogging community, creating your own blog and learning what others are contributing, then in time you will find your own dent in the community with others who may be writing with similar interests.
Another interesting point that Blood discusses is the difference between different weblog-creation sites. "Blogger" allows the writer complete freedom in regards to formatting and content, writing as in a journal, whereas "Metafilter interface" has a more strictly structured setup with multiple boxes that must be filled. As Blood suggests, I agree with the thought that newcomers to the world of blogging would find the journal-style, open blog more appealing than the filter-style.
It is also interesting that through creating and the upkeep of a weblog, anyone might find new interests or connections in their lives that may not have been so apparent before entering this world. Writing in this environment would probably allow most people to become more comfortable and confident in their writing and/or ideas as Blood suggests. I think that this form of journal-style writing would definitely push writers to become more involved in their surroundings and more connected with others than they would have been if they were writing, instead, in a notebook.
Overall, Blood is very optimistic about the opportunities and benefits that could come from being involved in the weblog community. While they are all unique and expressive, she also brings up the good point that in excess, they may be overwhelming. I think that once you are involved in the blogging community, creating your own blog and learning what others are contributing, then in time you will find your own dent in the community with others who may be writing with similar interests.
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