What makes a good blog post? – 30 day challenge
This activity sent me into my google reader, a task I do not always get to. The links with advice on what makes a good blog post explores clearly the very first thing I do when browsing my RSS feeds…examine the titles. After that the first few lines come next. If they do not grab me the post is passed over and I move to the next. Please don’t pass me over just yet – I want to share a good post with you! This post reflects very much where I am at right now – getting ready for a new school year, and it challenges my thinking. Take a squizz at ‘My 2011 TO BE LIST’ – What’s yours?
I like the heading – it relates to the new year, and it conravenes the cliched to do list. It then follows with the question, the challenge to the reader ‘What’s Yours?
Angela Maiers got my attention. The post itself also carries features of the Nine Signs of an Effective blog Post. The author uses concrete detail, and delivers what the title suggests. It is laid out nicely, broken up into short paragraphs and uses headings making it skimmable. It is easy to follow, and perhaps suggestive rather than persuasive, throwing down the challenge to the way the reader thinks. At the end, the posts asks the reader to take action – ‘What have you got to lose? There is no better time to start than now!’
The other feature is all the linking to other posts that explore in more detail concepts and ideas within this one post. I often find this frustrating and wonderful; frustrating as I have to open another page to read more and often end up in a click-fest to wind up an hour later on a totally different topic and page; wonderful as I sometimes feel like I have struck gold with what I discover. For these aspects of a blog post I know it is very much about my own time, self discipline and I guess following a blogger enough to know how well they do this to decide if it is worth following those links.
So there you have it – an example of an effective post. My ‘TO BE list will include being more open to the possibilities of blogging:)
Image from http://usnaorbust.wordpress.com/2010/03/08/march-to-do-list-for-usna-applicants/
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Hi Jenny,
I too enjoy reading the Angela Maiers blog. I think she writes on some really interesting material. They are easy to read and engaging and, importantly, I learn something new.
Hey!
First of all I need to compliment you on the visual of your blog. I just love it. It all goes together and the pic you added to your post fits fantastic.
Well, I have just experienced the click-fest you referred to in the post. I clicked on your first link and them kept clicking and reading, and then reading wikipedia pages in between to get more context.
Well, I guess that happens when links are well selected, they catch the attention of the reader.
Cheers!
I share in your click fest adventures. So great to travel the journey of a post. Something I’m working on with my students on, sending others on a blogging adventure and how ideas are formed.
Interesting idea….taking students on a click journey sounds like fun
Hi Jenny, I agree with you – the title and the first couple of sentences or an image need to grab my attention or I wander off elsewhere. When I first started blogging, I read so many blogs and I loved using the hyperlinks and going on clickable journeys. I used to get ‘lost in space’ but was thoroughly engaged.
Well, this click journey or click fest kept me thinking. This is something students should definitely be aware of… how to get it under control. I would definitely include that in the “contents” to share with them.
They need to be aware that at some point they will be compelled to go on this and thy can decide either to go with the flow of the clicks or leave it for later, depending on … emmm lots of variables…. anyway the idea is tha they can make a decision.
Thanks everyone for the great feedback on the blog post.
This is an important topic we need to share with teachers and student bloggers.
I love the idea of a click journey! Can’t wait to give this a try!
What an aesthetically pleasing visit I’ve just had! Surely a premium!?
The click journey is EXACTLY what I do, I just couldn’t think of what to label it!
Thanks for a great post!
yes it is aesthetically pleasing as a theme – and a premium one. Couldn’t help myself – saw it elsewhere and had to go premium to see what there was. this is the pick of the bunch IMO.