Reasons to #AcWri and Writing Considerations

For tonight’s class (yay for Fridays!) I will be sharing the basic concepts from Rocco and Hatcher’s (2011) publication – The Handbook of Scholarly Writing and Publication - as I outline chapter 1. This book was part of my #summerreading list. I picked it up to read advance for ATTD 6480: Research Methods class, and consider how to hone my own writing and publishing practice.

Much of this book offers basic ideas and structure for suggested scholarly writing practices. Stay tuned, as I am sure that I will share a few other nuggets of #AcWri tips from time to
time.

Here are some basic writing tips from Chapter 1:

• Make projects from opportunities
• Meet deadlines – yours and others
• Keep your commitments
• Organize & prioritize your projects => To Do lists & Tracking of Your Work
• Write down ideas – ALWAYS
• Outline your writing projects in progress
• Take notes when you read/research
• Identify at least ONE journal to submit to
• Review journal articles where you want to submit
• Learn the style & preferred manuscript structure
• Rejection = helpful review comments & suggestions

 

Reference:

Rocco, T.S. & Hatcher, T. (2011). The handbook of scholarly writing and publishing. San Francisco: Wiley/Jossey-Bass.

 

Characteristics of Blog Design

Today I found a great article on how to pretty up your blog, especially if you are blogging for professional reasons.  I think I will do a bit of blog design review & updates as well.

The 13 Characteristics of Outstanding Blog Design include:

1. Readability

2. Useful Sidebars

3. Unique

4. Comment Design

5. Integration of Ads (for professional blogs)

6. Effective, Usable Navigation

7. Images in Posts

8. Footer Design

9. Color Scheme

10. Icons

12. Subscription Areas

13. Social Media Integration

 

For those of you who are just starting out, be sure to check out these tips from PROBLOGGER that shares Blog Design for Beginners.

Are Blogs Old News?

Just as I sit down to post something new & exciting on this blog, I stumble open an interesting article from Wired magazine which questions how “now” blogs really are.  The journalist goes on to say that the Top 100 blogs are beginning to look more like online magazines, rather than tradition blogs.

In reading more into this article, the main concern is that blogging does require a certain skill-set & knack for attracting readers.  It argues that social online tools, i.e. Facebook, Twitter & Flickr, put all online users on an equal foot. 

Check out some ”experts” in the blog field to gain further insights on how YOU can begin blogging or become a better blogger:

• StartBlogging
• A-List Apart
• Problogger
• Mint Blogger
• Examples of Academic Advising Blogs on WordPress