Instructions for Blog Entries

Purpose of the blog entries: to apply and analyze course concepts that encourages discussion with the larger community as well as expands knowledge.

Method for blog entries: posting a high quality publically viewable document as well as making comments on other blog posts.

Number of blog entries required: 5

The blogs are less formal than APA style papers, but you should still write in a formal style - like you are writing for a prestigious newspaper. The most important part of writing the blogs is that not only are your ideas based in the theory and research from your class and outside readings, but the information is tied to actual life events. Those actual life events can be personal experiences, relation to other courses, news events, historical occurrences, future events, and so on. It is still important to quote, cite, and reference those sources. This demonstrates several aspects of knowledge:

  1. It shows that you understand the material and have an ability to synthesize and apply that knowledge.
  2. It demonstrates that your arguments are more than mere opinion. Your personal opinion is fine, but it is only as good as the next one, which means that it is easily refuted and therefore your blog does not stand up to criticism.
  3. It allows your reader to track down more information on the topic if they so choose. Something that is of the utmost importance in today's information age.
  4. It gives credit where credit is due.

There is no right or wrong answer for the blogs, but you must make your argument based on the standards set above and in a clear and concise manner. This means with a clear thesis statement, detailed explanations, apparent connection between theory and behaviors, and strong organization.

The point of the blog is to demonstrate your expertise with the leadership theories and concepts as well as your ability to critically think about those ideas. As such, your focus of your blog entries should be the theories and concepts and how they apply to the real life situation you are describing.

Blog Entries

Content

 

Define key terms and their associated pieces so that the reader can see that you understand the theories and concepts. Synthesize the ideas; how do they fit together or contrast? In other words, do they complement one another or describe different aspects of an idea?

Structure and organization

Follows basic rules of a 5 paragraph essay (although there may be more or less paragraphs) - clear thesis in the introduction, recap of main points and thesis in conclusion.

Citations and references

When you use someone's words exactly, quote and cite. When you use someone's ideas, cite. In both cases provide references.
Link to outside information. Provide actual links to outside information so that your reader can find out more about the information that you are discussing.

Format

Make sure to proof read your work and that it is grammatically correct. You may write as an objective observer or you may write in the first person.

Total: up to 25 points

 

 

 

Instructions for Blog Comments

Purpose of the blog comments: to apply and analyze course concepts by engaging in conversations with fellow authors.

Method for blog comments: posting a high quality publically viewable reply to other people’s blog posts.

Number of blog comments required: 5

The blog comments like the entries are less formal than APA style papers, but you should still write in a formal style. The most important part of making comments to the blogs is that you are extending the conversation in a meaningful way by using the theory and research from your class and outside readings, as well as actual life events. It is not enough to post comments that state “I agree” or “I like your entry”. You need to explain why you agree, disagree or found the entry interesting. It is still important to quote, cite, and reference those sources.

Blog Comments

Content

You may ask questions of the original author or you may add to the conversation by expanding on an idea presented by the original author. In most cases you will be doing both.

Structure and organization

Use strong logic and grammar so that your fellow students understand your point(s) and that your concise reply is fully understood.

Citations and references

When you use someone's words exactly, quote and cite. When you use someone's ideas, cite. In both cases provide references.

Format

Make sure to proof read your work and that it is grammatically correct.

Total: up to 10 points