Publishing Guidelines and Schedule

Posting:

A post is a paragraph (at least 8 gorgeous sentences) entry that is published on the front page of the blog. Posts are published in chronological order and are available for commenting. In order to post, you will need to log into www.blogger.com or our blog at: http://tkam85.blogspot.com and click on “New Post.” You will be provided with space to type. The title should always start with the chapter # and then be followed by a question: either the one I’ve asked you to answer or one you made up. Proofread your post carefully before you publish. You can’t make any changes once you’ve published. When you’ve finished your post, click on “Publish Post.”

Post Structure and Content: Choose a topic/question from those assigned or make up your own. Your post should be at least one well developed paragraph ( 8 gorgeous sentences minimum).

In order to write a successful post you must:

·       Title your post with chapter #'s/page #'s followed by the question you are answering

·       Include a clear thesis statement

·       Briefly provide context for your post (what key scenes from the novel helped shape your answer?)

·       Respond to the question in detail

·       Include at least one quotation (with page #) for support

·       Connect to other ideas/themes/details we've explored

·       Close with a clear concluding statement

Note: Excellent posts not only give complete, thoughtful answers, but also encourage discussion in the comments section, either by asking questions at the end or by providing links to relevant sits/video/imagery that you’d like your classmates to comment on.

Commenting:

You can comment on a post by clicking on the “Comments” link at the bottom of the post or by clicking on the title bar of the post. Don’t forget you must be logged in to get credit for your comment. Comments should be direct responses to the information and ideas in the post OR to a previous comment to that post. Comments let the writer know he/she has an audience, encourage people to write more and better pieces and help people to think more deeply about an issue. It's just like a discussion in class: if you don't "listen" to the post and other comments, the conversation isn't productive. Proofread your comments carefully before publishing.

An excellent comment is four to five gorgeous sentences, which include:

• A strong, clear topic sentence that shows you understand the topic explored and the ideas expressed in the post you just read
• At least two sentences that respond to the post in a thoughtful way that adds information to the post (this can be in agreeing with what’s stated or respectfully disagreeing), complete with specific textual support from the novel.
• A clear concluding statement, and if appropriate, a question that advances the discussion.

Grading criteria: You are graded on the frequency and quality of your comments.  In a regular week, with four assignments:

·       Three or more excellent comments to the blog per four assignments: “Check plus”

·       Two excellent comments or three “OK” comments per four assignments: “Check”

·       One excellent comment or two "OK" comments per four assignments: “Check minus”

·       And so on…

Posting/Commenting Schedule

In a regular week you are expected to post ONCE to our blog and comment on our blog at least TWO times. All weeknight posts must be completed by 7pm. Weekend posts must be completed by NOON on Sunday. You may comment as late as you want.

Group A: Rachel, Benjamin, Elizabeth

Group A will post for chapters (6,7), (14,15), and (22,23)

Group B: Irfan, Tayseer, and Lily

Group B will post for chapters (8,9), (16,17), and (24, 25)

Group C: Trevor, Margaret, and Delila

Group C will post for chapters (10, 11), (18,19),  and (26, 27)

Group D: Spencer, Carly, and Oliver

Group D will post for chapters (12, 13), (20, 21), and (28, 29, 30, 31)