Blog+Topics


 * **BLOG #2: Due by the start of class on Tuesday, December 5. Corrections to blog post #1 also due at that time. **


 * **Over 200 years have passed since Crevecouer wrote "What is an American?"** **Look carefully at one or two of Crevecouer's big ideas from the essay (discussed in class on Thursday) and argue the extent to which his ideas still ring true in our society today.**


 * Reminders....**


 * Use specific quotations from Crevecouer's piece as you argue your points. This will help you to be more specific.
 * Use the Wallwisher notes to help you. Those are accessible via the wiki here.
 * You may use first person.
 * Please don't forget that any good argumentative or persuasive piece of writing contains concessions and rebuttals. (If you have forgotten what those are, check out the wiki--unit one essay information.)


 * **For the highest possible score, don't forget to do the following:**
 * Use paragraph structure (not the dreaded "blob")
 * Add a creative title
 * Add interesting graphics and images throughout your post.
 * Add relevant links or videos and explain their connection to your argument.
 * Make your post AT LEAST 400 words. (Use the word count feature in MS Word if you need a tool to help you do this)


 * **BLOG #1:**Now that you have read and analyzed significant portions of “The Declaration of Independence,” you should be ready to do some reflective writing in the blogs that you have already set up. Read below for blog post options:
 * **Option One:** Now that you have studied the "Declaration" in some depth, blog about what you think the "Declaration" says in response to the essential question: "What does it mean to be an American?" Choose specific quotations and elements of the "Declaration" that you feel are important to the American identity. Fully explain why you feel this way.
 * **Option Two:** Was the "Declaration of Independence" an illegal document that amounted to treason? Check out this article and video from the [|BBC (A British news agency)]and the link to the American-hosted history channel, and blog about your position: Do you think the "Declaration" was treasonous? Be sure to say WHY you feel the way you do by using specific evidence from the document itself.
 * **Option Three:** Review the video below that shows Franklin and Adams reacting to Jefferson's draft of the "Declaration." Choose one of the topics that they discuss (slavery, specific wording, universality of the document) and discuss how the "Declaration" relates to their points. Offer your opinions or reactions to their discussion.
 * media type="youtube" key="nMueh4TQiK8?rel=0" height="315" width="420" align="left"


 * A Word or Two about Blogging....PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.**

1) For each Blog Post, you should develop your answers to between **400-500** words. __You should utilize paragraph format__; most likely each post will be **2 to 3 paragraphs** in length.

 2) Blog writing is largely about creating a unique and personalized voice; as such, you may use **first person** on your blog. Please remember, however, that though this is an online journal, __good rules of writing always apply__ – you need complete sentences and proper word choice (i.e. no “u” instead of “you” or other “texting” shorthands). **PLEASE PROOFREAD!**

 3) Carefully review the **rubric** below before starting your first post; I will be looking for key things in your analysis like clear topic sentence **claims**, strong **evidence**, and thoughtful **commentary**.

 4) You should choose **from the prompts posted on our wiki**, but also feel free to explore other thoughts and ideas you considered in reading the text.

 5) __Add visual images, gadgets, web sources that you feel enhance your blog and/or your understanding in some way.__ Make this your own by being **original** and **creative**. **My expectation is that your blog is more than just text.**

> → Search for current news stories relating to what it means to be an American: [] > → Search for images on the web to add to your blog : [] > → Add audio files (music or podcasts) to your blog : [] > → Add video files from You Tube to your blog : []
 * Some places to explore as you search the web


 * Some things to note : **

1) Copying and **pasting from MS Word can create problems in Blogger**. It is OK to do so but you must make sure to paste into the **Edit HTML** space of your new post and not in the Compose section. See me for clarification if needed.

2) You can SAVE your blog as a draft and return to it later on if you are working within blogger.

3) Each blog post is worth 20 points. Read below for details: 