After a batch of student blog entries are posted, the class will have the opportunity to respond in the form of a blog comment. You are required to do a blog comment every time a batch is published on the blog, except when you are in the group having entries posted on the blog that week.
When commenting, you will be doing two things: peer review and engaging in critical conversation.
In terms of peer review, you will focus on the argument being made by the blog writer. Is the argument structured properly (beginning with a thesis statement)? Is it a convincing argument? Is it well supported? Can you suggest a better line of argument or different evidence (that is, different examples from the digital literary work under discussion)? Is the entry well-written? Could it have been phrased better?
In terms of critical conversation, you will engage the ideas presented by the blog writer. Do you agree? Or do you have a different take on what the blog writer is expressing? How does your interpretation of the digital literary work compare with that of the blog writer?
Remember to be critical, constructive, and compassionate in your comments. Try to notice at least one thing that the blog writer does well. But if the blog writer’s argument is shallow, ill-conceived, and unconvincing; if his or her writing is problematic; or if his or her interpretation seems far-fetched, be sure to say so.
A good comment should be slightly shorter than a good blog entry. That is, your comments should be 3-5 sentences long. Blog comments should NOT be sent to the instructor. Enter them yourself on the class blog. Be sure to sign your comment with your full name if you want to get credit.
Blog comments are due before class on Monday.
