13 Sep 2004
Discussion of Kilian (Writing for the Web)
It's a short book, so I'm asking you to read it all.
In discussion: A basic principle of writing is "Know Your Audience." What does Kilian's book teach us about the readers of online documents?
On a piece of paper: How are you personally adjusting your own academic writing style in order to write for this class? Give an example of a sentence that you would have written for a traditional (printed) form, or in an informal online environment; then, revise it so that it will be acceptable for a college course in writing for the internet.
Small group exercises: A few short selections from the textbook (bulleted lists; .
Suggested blog topics:
Kilian introduces "semantics" and "register" as part of a discussion that distinguishes between informing, persuading, and marketing. Examine the Seton Hill University website, and evaluate it in terms of semantics and register, as well as its ability to inform, persuade, and market. (I'd prefer that you not start a blog entry with a list of terms and then just write a few sentences on each in the order which they are listed on this page. Come up with a point that you want to make, and use the terms Kilian provides in order to help you make that point.)
Compare the online syllabus for EL 236 with a syllabus you received in a different class. Is your other syllabus mostly designed for print, or is it also an online document? If it is designed for print, how does it differ from EL 236's syllabus? If it is also an online document, how does your other professor handle the needs of online writers?
Chesterton began as a company town built by the Chesterton Logging Company in 1891. During World War I, Chesterton factories met supplied spruce to airplane manufacturors. The town was initially prosperous but the Great Depression in the 1920's caused the zinc market to collapse. After World War II, the creation of Chesterton Regional Park brought about a new rebirth for the town. Chesterton is now a major recreation center and eco-tourism destination.
Posted by: Moira & Misheila at September 13, 2004 11:27 AMThe History of Chesterton
A logging town, mining center, and ghost town, Chesterton is making a comeback as a major tourist destination. Beginning in 1891, built by the Chesterton Logging Company, the town grew to become a community with over 3,000 people living in it. During World War I, the population grew to meet the demand for spruce to build airplanes, the population rose to almost 4,000. With the Great Depression, however, the zinc market collapsed and hundreds of workers lost their jobs. Chesterton's population shrank to not much more than 300 souls; the town was at death's door.
A Recreation of Chesterton
After World War II, the creation of Chesterton Regional Park brought about a rebirth for the town. In the past 10 or 20 years, Chesterton has seen development of world-class skiing at High Corniche, the North American Kayak Championships at Roaring Creek, 200 rafts into the Old Horse River every summer season. With 1,200 year-round residents, Chesterton is now a major recreation center.
Posted by: Firefighter Chica (Stefanie Robb) at September 13, 2004 11:36 AM...wow mine is way too long, lol.
Posted by: Firefighter Chica (Stefanie Robb) at September 13, 2004 11:37 AMYes, it was a bit long, but you did divide it up into two sections of appropriate length. Well done!
Posted by: Dennis G. Jerz at September 13, 2004 12:05 PM