National award-winning blog at UCO

Dr. Kurt Hochenauer of the UCO English faculty, writes a blog, OkieFunk, that is an award-winner. His blog has just been recognized as one of the two best political blogs in the state, for the second time, by the Washington Post. Hochenauer's ethics and reputation as a reliable journalist who focuses on issues and not personalities is unquestioned, and is a model of ethics, writing, and content, for anyone who blogs.

Here's the link. Check out his blog, and read it, and respond in the comments below about what you learned about blogging. Due by 5 pm April 2.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2013/03/05/the-fixs-best-state-based-political-blogs-list-is-here/

http://www.okiefunk.com/

Grading format for your presentation

2013 Blogging/ Name__________________

Blog reviewed ______________________________________________

(1--F to 5-A)

1.     History of blog
How long blogging? Why? Changes? Growth? 

1          2          3          4          5

2.     Facts of the blog
Who is the blogger? (Age, profession, etc.)Purpose, Does it make money?   Geographic location? 

1          2          3          4          5

3.     Statistics

Followers, hits. etc.

1          2          3          4          5

4.     Unique
In what ways?

1          2          3          4          5

5.     Strengths

1          2          3          4          5

6.     Weaknesses

1          2          3          4          5

7.     Advice of blogger

How influence your blogging?
What ideas did you get?






Screenshot?
Outline?
Time of presentation?
Paper on time: 

Blog presentation schedules

April 2--Brannick, Sur
April 4--Armstrong, Nizami
April 9--Mcadoo, Stewart, Suleiman
April 11--Nation, Wingfield
April 16--Kline, Lam
April 23--Crowder, Wolf
April 25--Garcia, Holt
April 30--Breshears, Kurtz

Lead to your blog presentation

In the comments below:
List the url and name of the blog

1. What is it that you find most interesting about the blog? Two sentences.
2. What will be the attention grabbing sentence of your paper or presentation opening?

Post this no later than 5 p.m. today.

A blogger in danger and jail

Read the following article from the New York Times, and comment, either below, or on your blog, about your reactions as a blogger. If our country was at war, as Syria is, would the rules change here?
Post due by March 28.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/world/middleeast/anhar-kochneva-ukrainian-blogger-escapes-her-syrian-captors.html

Blog adoption guidelines and assignment

Blog adoption guidelines for second half of semester:

“We want a sense of what makes this blog effective, and to learn from the blogger’s experience.”

Presentations will start April 2. There will be no class April 18.

• You must show the blog visually in your presentation.
• You must interview the blogger, by email or on the phone. I recommend you contact them now to make sure they know what you're doing. Last minute, "they did not respond" doesn't cut it
• If you cannot make contact, you will need to choose a different blog.
• One page outline of main points (example to come) handed to every member of class while discussing it:
• List the Name and url of the blog.

1.     History of the blog—

a.     How long blogging?

b.     Who is the blogger? (Age, profession, etc.)

c.      Purpose?

d.     Geographic location?

e.     Number of followers?

f.      Does it make money?

g.  Why do they blog?

2.     What makes this blog unique?

3.     What are its strengths?

4.     What are its weaknesses?

5.     What is the advice of the blogger?

6.     What do you like and dislike?, and why

7.     What did you gain that influences you and your blog?

• You will present a 500-word  maximum paper to me with all the information the day of the presentations.
• You will post your presentation outline on your blog, with a screenshot of the blog.
• Today--In the comment section below, list your name and the name and url of  the blog you are following. If not yet available, due Thursday, March 14, 2013.

SEO links and assignment

Three links on SEO. find one more. Post on comments two things you learned that will help your traffic.

http://www.seochat.com/c/a/search-engine-optimization-help/blogspot-seo-checklist-the-practical-way-to-improve-rankings/

http://pinterest.com/madhuriseo/blogspot-seo-tips-and-tricks/

http://blogknowhow.blogspot.com/2009/05/blogger-blogspot-seo-tips-and-tricks.html