Category Archives: Guidelines

ONLINE WRITING GUIDELINES
• Use good grammar and spelling. Proofread, proofread, proofread.
• Write with your audience in mind: Who are they? What do they need to know? What do they want to know? How will they use your information?
• Ask questions in your writing. Be open-ended and open-minded when writing about a topic. Convert “why?” questions into “what?” questions, for example, “why did you do this?” converted to “what happened?” or “what decisions led you to do this?” often generates more detailed and revealing answers.
• Meet your deadlines. Plan ahead to give yourself time to brainstorm, research, write, and edit.
• Pay attention to copyright. Use other people’s work with respect and link to your sources.
• Stick to the topic. Don’t write about your weekend plans or gossip.
• Think before you post. Ask yourself, is this something I want my parents, teachers, friends, strangers to see? What are the consequences if you post this?
• Only post information you can verify as accurate. Provide links to your sources.

ONLINE PERSONAL SAFETY GUIDELINES
• Never post or share personal information online. Or your friends’ personal information.
• Never share your internet passwords with anyone except your parents.
• Never meet anyone face-to-face whom you only know online.
• Never use your last name online. Use your initials or first name and the initials or first names of people you refer to.

ONLINE COMMENTING GUIDELINES
• Comments should be at least 2-5 sentences, not less.
• Write comments that add to the conversation. Ask a question. Provide a link that might clarify a point. Copy/paste a passage that interests you then write your comments and questions.
• Read the article. Read all the comments. Be part of the full discussion.
• Use comments to show what you think is important, interesting, controversial, thoughtful.
• Constructive criticism only. Critique the idea, not the person. Being derogatory or inflammatory distracts the conversation. Respect other people and their opinions and ideas.
• Use good grammar and spelling. Mistakes cause readers to focus on how you write, not your ideas.
• Treat people the way you want to be treated.

In addition, these response prompts for comments might be helpful for you to keep on topic and ensure high quality comments:
• This made me think about…
• I wonder why…
• Your writing made me form an opinion about…
• This post is relevant because…
• Your writing made me think about…
• I wish I understood why…
• This is important because…
• Another thing to consider…
• I can relate to this …
• I don’t understand…
• I was reminded that…
• I found myself wondering…

Blog Guidelines

ONLINE WRITING GUIDELINES

  • Use good grammar and spelling. Proofread, proofread, proofread.
  • Write with your audience in mind: Who are they? What do they need to know? What do they want to know? How will they use your information?
  • Ask questions in your writing. Be open-ended and open-minded when writing about a topic. Convert “why?” questions into “what?” questions, for example, “why did you do this?” converted to “what happened?” or “what decisions led you to do this?” often generates more detailed and revealing answers.
  • Meet your deadlines. Plan ahead to give yourself time to brainstorm, research, write, and edit.
  • Pay attention to copyright. Use other people’s work with respect and link to your sources.
  • Stick to the topic. Don’t write about your weekend plans or gossip.
  • Think before you post. Ask yourself, is this something I want my parents, teachers, friends, strangers to see? What are the consequences if you post this?
  • Only post information you can verify as accurate. Provide links to your sources.

ONLINE PERSONAL SAFETY GUIDELINES

  • Never post or share personal information online. Or your friends’ personal information.
  • Never share your internet passwords with anyone except your parents.
  • Never meet anyone face-to-face whom you only know online.
  • Never use your last name online. Use your initials or first name and the initials or first names of people you refer to.

ONLINE COMMENTING GUIDELINES

  • Comments should be at least 2-5 sentences, not less.
  • Write comments that add to the conversation. Ask a question. Provide a link that might clarify a point. Copy/paste a passage that interests you then write your comments and questions.
  • Read the article. Read all the comments. Be part of the full discussion.
  • Use comments to show what you think is important, interesting, controversial, thoughtful.
  • Constructive criticism only. Critique the idea, not the person. Being derogatory or inflammatory distracts the conversation. Respect other people and their opinions and ideas.
  • Use good grammar and spelling. Mistakes cause readers to focus on how you write, not your ideas.
  • Treat people the way you want to be treated.

In addition, these response prompts for comments might be helpful for you to keep on topic and ensure high quality comments:

  • This made me think about…
  • I wonder why…
  • Your writing made me form an opinion about…
  • This post is relevant because…
  • Your writing made me think about…
  • I wish I understood why…
  • This is important because…
  • Another thing to consider…
  • I can relate to this …
  • I don’t understand…
  • I was reminded that…
  • I found myself wondering…