Welcome to the AP English Language Blog!

The purpose & scope of our blog

Reflection is an important part of the learning process. When we reflect, we exercise higher order thinking skills as we consider and evaluate the content presented to us in our reading and in our classroom discussions.

Each month, you will be expected to upload two blog posts - you should be blogging about every 15 days.* What you write about, well, that is your choice. Generally speaking, my expectation is that you will reflect upon some reading or classroom discussion. Your post should elucidate what about that reading (whether in or out of class) you find particularly insightful, thought-provoking, complex (and why!). Has something we read or discussed connected with a recent current event?

*We may use the blog for additional AP work.

Expectations

Whether or not you realize it, you are all writers. True, some of you don't appreciate having to write 3-page literary analyses or DBQs, but you are adept 140-character tweeters, maniacal texters, and creative Snapchatters. Blogging is another form of written communication, however, it is one that will be free of certain academic rules (ex. you may use the personal pronoun "I") while maintaining good composition (spelling, grammar, sentence-structure). You should use language that comes readily to you (no thesaurus needed) and avoid unorthodox spellings ("thru", "nite") and abbreviations ("FYI", "YOLO", "JK"). Your choose the tone and style (formal versus informal), always maintaing respectful communication in posts, comments, and replies.

Why We are Blogging

Here are just some of the reasons why we are blogging:

• Writing is the most important communication skill you can master. Regardless your career choice, you will need to be a proficient writer.
• To develop your voice as a writer. As a blogger, you will find your creative style by setting up your posts, textually and visually. Moreover, your voice can be an authentic one. The blog is a forum for expressing oneself and taking ownership of learning in one's own words. Because you don't have to conform your writing to a teacher's standard, you can express yourself authentically.
• You have an audience. Your writing is not just for me; it is for anyone who can view the blog (really, your classmates for now). When you blog, others will comment on your posts -- to critique, to commend, and to suggest other ideas; comments will only further your learning.
• Blogging opens dialogue. Through your posts, you communicate with many readers. Blogging, when done well, is a written conversation with questions and responses.
• You teach each other. There will be many times when your blog posts will demonstrate strategies or ideas or understanding that your classmates haven't considered. You may correct misconceptions classmates have about research or course material. Blogging will allow you to continue classroom discussions beyond our classroom walls.
• Sharing is a 21st century imperative. Information is ubiquitous, connection immediate, creative problem-solving demanded, and collaboration essential; subsequently, it is necessary that we practice these "real-world" skills.

**Many thanks to my OSG colleague Mike Gwaltney for sharing his work on classroom blogging with me.