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What’s the Purpose of the Blog?
Students participate in the online blog by typing coherent, logical, informed, and well-written responses to Topics of the Week. During the week, students also respond to comments from other students. During the semester students will improve their writing, discussion, persuasion, and critical-thinking skills. Many college professors in all areas of the curriculum require students to participate in online discussions or blogs. The AP Language Blog requirement will help prepare you for college courses while also improving your writing skills.
You have the option to participate in the blog either through Typepad or on the AP English Language Facebook group. The same topic will be posted in both places each week. You can decide if you prefer to post in Facebook or in Typepad. To go to the Facebook page, click on the Facebook link under the links at the left-hand panel of this page.
How Do I Sign-Up?
First, you will need to sign-up through TypePad. (If you already have a user profile for TypePad, you can begin immediately.)
- Go to Much Madness Blog (Link is found under links in menu bar on the left.)
- Click on “Comments” at the end of the Introductory Discussion.
- Go to the end of the listed comments and click on “Sign-in” under “Post a Comment.”
- Click on “Create a Free Account.”
- Enter all of the requested information. Enter only your First name and initial of your last name. Don’t forget your password; I will NOT have access to your password. To prevent spam, you will always be required to enter a confirmation code to ensure that you are a real person.
- Finally, click “Sign-up.”
After you have created an account, you will just need to sign-in with your member name and password whenever you want to participate in the blog.
How Do I Participate in the Blog?
After you have signed up in TypePad, you are ready to begin.
- Read the requirements on this page carefully.
- Click on “Much Madness" link located under "Links" on the right-hand panel of the blog.
- Introductory Discussion. Read the prompt and respond by clicking on “Comments.” You will have to sign-in to participate.
Do I Have to Participate in the Blog?
All students must participate in the Introductory Discussion (#3 above). Afterwards, you will decide whether or not you want to participate. Students who successfully participate in the Topics of the Week for 8 weeks will receive a 100 on the Character Sketch (next-to last writing assignment) and will not have to write the paper. Obviously, I think it is a valuable experience for you to participate in the blog.
If you do not want to participate in the blog, you will just write the Character Sketch. You will not be punished in any way if you do not participate online.
How Will I be Graded?
All students will receive a 100 for a daily grade called Character Sketch/Blog during the first week of the semester as soon as you post comments to the Introductory Discussion. Each Monday morning for the rest of the semester, I will add 1 point to this Character Sketch/Blog grade for each Topic of the Week that you successfully complete.
When the Character Sketch is due, I will change the Character Sketch/Blog grade to a MAJOR grade. Students who have 108 points will then have their grades changed to 100 for the Character Sketch. Students who have fewer than 108 points will have to write the Character Sketch. Their Character Sketch grade will replace whatever score is in the Character Sketch/Blog category.
Why Won’t I Receive Credit if I Respond to a Topic of the Week?
Remember – you must successfully respond to the Topics of the Week for a minimum of 8 weeks. Most students will automatically receive credit. However, some students may not receive credit because they make one of the following mistakes:
- Comments contain too many grammatical, spelling, or usage mistakes. Don’t forget to proofread!
- Student posts his own comment, but fails to respond to at least one other student.
- Student does not respond initially to the Topic of the Week by 6:00 PM on Friday. Responses to other students must me entered by noon on Sunday. Late entries, even if they are the result of TypePad or computer problems, will not count because no one will go back and read old comments. Do not wait to respond until late in the week!
- Student posts comments but does not respond to the assigned topic – off topic.
- Student uses inappropriate language. Do not use profanity. When in doubt, choose another word.
- Student fails to maintain a respectful tone. Do not call other students bad names or ridicule their ideas. Convince people that your ideas hold more merit because of the strength of your argument – not by making fun of other people or by intimidating other students.
- Student’s original post to the Topic of the Week does not meet the length requirement, 250-300 words.
If I do not give you credit for an assignment, I will e-mail you and let you know why you are not receiving credit. You can keep track of how many Topics of the Week you have successfully completed during the semester by looking at your Character Sketch/Blog grade. Remember: you must have 108 points to receive a 100 on the Character Sketch without writing the paper.
The online discussion must remain civil at all times. As the teacher, I reserve the right to prevent a student from participating in the blog. I don’t want to do this! Please follow the rules and remain respectful.
