I'm about to blog about blogging. Original, I know.
I feel like this is a topic worth blogging about, though: the concept of a blog. When we were first assigned to blog for Literature and Civilizations II here at good ole TCU (Go Frogs, beat Baylor!), I was skeptical. I'd thought about starting my own blog before, but never for academic purposes. How was this strange, informal, internet-based writing form going to translate into a grade? How was it going to be graded? Content, style, creativity? Was the dreaded plus/minus scale going to be used? I was deeply concerned...
... until I realized that I had no reason to be; that was the whole point of a blog: not to be overly concerned about how and what you're writing. Sure, you can't just write whatever you want, particularly in an academic setting for a class based on the theme of water; obviously, in this scenario, most of one's blogs will be about something relating to water. Yet, within those incredibly broad boundaries (water does span the whole world, after all), blogs give one the freedom to explore one's writing content, style, and creativity without simultaneously having to adhere to MLA format. Those things I was so worried about being graded on turn out to be the things I have to worry about the least.
My biggest problem so far with blogging has just been getting myself to do it. To be honest, I almost forgot about this blog until last week, and now I'm scrambling to fill a quota that has a deadline less than 4 hours away. Any fault I can find with blogging is my own, not the blog's.
While blogging, I don't have to worry about being academic, even when discussing academic concepts. I can blog about The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn without analyzing quotes or theme. I can blog about an assignment, like blogging, without treating it like a teaching evaluation. The blog gives me the freedom to talk about school more like I'm talking about it to my friends, not writing about it to my teacher.
When writing papers, in-class essays, answers to application questions, and other forms of formal thought regurgitation, we can easily forget how fun, relaxing, and relieving writing can be. Yes, I'm still writing for school, but informally. I may be in the library writing this, but I'm not researching anything for it. Blogs may simply be short essays, but I'm not on a time crunch to write them (other than the aforementioned deadline that I'm dangerously nearing). And, blogs don't require one to answer the same question ("Why do you think you would be a good fit for [insert position title here]?") over and over, or to brag on one's self and seem impressive like applications (if any future potential employers are reading this, hello. I promise I take life seriously).
I feel like I can deploy my clearly wide and witty range of humor when blogging. Whether you take that sentence as a joke or seriousness is entirely your decision.
Basically, blogging is pretty wonderful. It has been a nice break from normal homework assignments, and I think it would be a useful assignment for more English classes to undertake. You write enough formal papers in your school days, why not write some informal ones?
Over the summer, my sister told me I should start a blog about the happenings of the world of professional sports. I was hesitant when she suggested this. "Oh goodness," I thought, "People will be able to read my ridiculous opinions and ramblings? I don't know if I want that." I'm second-guessing my hesitancy. Maybe I do want people to read it. It's something different, it's a creative outlet, it's a blog. What harm could it do?
With Fall Break and the second half of the semester approaching, I know I have yet to be confronted by numerous homework assignments, projects, papers, and tests before the onset of winter. Though more blogging will constitute one of those assignments, I won't be concerned about it. I have no reason to be.
Last year, I had to keep a blog for my high school English class, and I remember writing a post that was somewhat similar to this. That year in class, I also procrastinated when it came to writing the required number of posts but, like you, I found writing them to be more enjoyable than painful. Yes, there were deadlines, but once I sat down and started writing, it wasn't really that bad. I agree that it is way different than other assignments and, for me at least, it doesn't even seem like a "homework assignment" in the traditional sense. Instead it's just something where you can express yourself without an extraordinary amount of pressure. Nice post! I enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteBlogging for class has been a great experience for me. I have never kept up with a blog before, and although I was concerned at first, it has been a lot of fun! But when I say fun, I don't mean it in the typical sense of the word. I mean to say that blogging is fun in the sense that I have freedom. I am able to write about anything that comes to mind and there is something comforting in this. At first, I was nervous because I wasn't sure I would be able to "just write." What do I write about exactly? What have I learned this year? How do I feel about things? How is my conversation partner? These are all questions that pop into my mind before I start to write, and this can seem daunting. However, once picking a topic and focusing my thoughts, I find it relaxing and refreshing to cleanse my mind of these ideas and get them into writing. I'm glad to see that others have enjoyed the process just as much, and hope to read more of your blog posts soon!
ReplyDeleteThe concept of blogging is so intriguing... why has it just now become popular within the last few years? I believe it allows people to be heard and, as we all know, the virtual world gives people power and confidence they might not necessarily possess in person. Blogging allows you to express all of your thoughts and feelings without immediate responses or repercussions. In a world that is so tech-savvy, it's no wonder that blogs are the future (heck-- people have careers as bloggers these days!). Blogging is such a unique form of writing; allowing you to write as if in a journal, stream of consciousness continuously flowing from your typing fingers onto your computer screen. I really appreciate the concept of blogging for this class. I think it is the most appropriate form for this class and allows a continuously open dialogue between teacher and peers. Thanks for your post Zach, I really enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteZach,
ReplyDeleteYour post was great! Like you, I was initially rather apprehensive over the concept of blogging, and what exactly it entailed. Believe it or not, as I was writing my first blog, I was a hot mess. The idea that someone else other than my professor would be reading what I wrote both excited me while simultaneously eliciting a sense of dread. Once I sat down, though, I experienced a feeling similar to yours - a kind of flow that made it easy and not at all painful to blog.
As we progress forward into a future that is increasingly filled with technology and social media, I find that blogging is a creative way to send your voice into the world and have other people connect to your ruminations.
I am grateful for the introduction to blogging I have received in this class, and delighted to see that there are others who take similar pleasure in the act. Thank you so much for sharing such an insightful post, it was a wonderful read!