Order instructions
Online article or blog writing tends to be more informal and immediate than most other forms of professional writing. The purpose of this project is to use that informality, as well as the capacity for linking to a variety of online media, to think reflectively about current trends and topics being discussed in the broader business world outside of class. You will engage more thoroughly with your own discipline and begin to establish your sense of authorship on the web.
The goal is to establish your “take” on the issues that currently affect your area(s) of interest. You will choose online business news articles or issues that intrigue you, then respond to it. What can you say about this particular topic? Why should the rest of us sit up and take notice? Most online articles will begin with a short description of the article or issue, then offer your response to it.
It is also true that successful online writing often follows different writing conventions than other types of business writing, including “front-loading” content, designing for fast reading and using links and images to increase your credibility and help your reader make choices. Those of you who are entrepreneurial can also use this writing style to create websites and postings for your businesses.
You will write, design and publish five online entries or blog posts, following the conventions for online writing and the instructions below.
Details
Identify the respected journal and news sources in your field. The best way to do this is to ask your major professors what they read to keep up-to-date with their professions. Identify current news articles or issues that intrigue you. Write 5 online entries in response to a professional issue in your (or a similar) field. Entries should be at least 300-500 words each. Each entry should contain 2 hyperlinks out to additional information and 2-3 images (not clip art). Publish these entries on your own blog, website or LinkedIn profile. When due, you will submit urls to the appropriate discussions or drop box.
Topics
Topics within your major or field work best, but they don’t have to be – the purpose here is to show you are reading respected news sources and have intelligent things to say. The guiding principle will be this: Would you encourage potential employers, clients and/or customers to read your entries? Will these articles work to forward your personal professional and/or business brand?
If you already own a business with a website, you may use this project to compose blog entries for it.
Platforms
Publish your articles on your own blog, website or LinkedIn profile. If you decide to create your own website, we recommend Sites.psu.edu; however, other platforms (Wix, Weebly, etc.) are also accepted.
To publish posts on LinkedIn, choose the “Post” option on your profile.
Evaluation Criteria
Arrangement and Organization: The posts demonstrate proficient application of online writing conventions, including prominently-placed main points, logical and obvious organization and short paragraphs (25-35 words). Organizational strategies are obvious, effective and appropriate.
Content. The entries include well-written, thoughtful discussion of at least two referenced (and linked) online text for each entry. Value-added posts will include additional links to credible and relevant sources.
Style and Tone. The writing is correct and concise. Tone is appropriate to the rhetorical situation and genre conventions for online writing; meaning, in most cases, less formal and conversational, but still professional.
Design and Accessibility. If using a blog format, the blog should have a consistent design and be attractive. If using something like LinkedIn, a full social media presence should exist not just the entries. Entries will be well-designed and attractive. Titles should be creative and descriptive. Headings and short (25-35 word) paragraphs increase readability and accessibility. All entries should include 2-3 relevant images, which are appropriately captioned and/or explained AND cited by linking visuals to their original sources.
