The Genre of Blogging

 

 

 

 

 

A blog is a genre of writing that creates an interactive communal discussion. According to dictionary.com a blog is, “a Web site containing the writer's or group of writers' own experiences, observations, opinions, etc., and often having images and links to other Web sites.” Unlike typical genres of writing that involve only one perspective, blogs allow multiple. The blogging genre encourages readers to comment on other’s blog post to further expand on the issue being discussed. These comments should argue the writer’s own opinion. However, like any good argument there should include evidence along with justified sources. 

 

Perhaps someone posts a blog regarding their views on the presidential debate. Bloggers who are left with feelings after reading the blog would express them by commenting on the post. Discussing their own views on the debate and citing specific sources to help get their point across. These sources can come from many different places. Yet, remember the goal is to express your opinion the strongest. Using specific quotes from the debate perhaps would be a valid source. However, citing what you’re friend told you might not leave other readers believing your point. It is important to remember that a blog setting is online with an audience that you may have never met in person. People will only know you through you’re blogging. Therefore, using sources that the general public would accept as valid is crucial.

 

 

 Blogs are a more casual style of writing and there aren’t many guidelines. I see it as a form of writing that is more conversational than structural. People often times blog about current events like the news. Sure a good blog should attract readers to respond and create a discussion, but how a blogger achieves that goal is up to them self. According to an article called the Blogging Genre, “the genre of a blog is far from clear cut.” The article explains that because the number of blog accounts are rapidly growing each year the genre is changing all the time. Blogs compared to other forms of writing are much more of a current style of writing. Before the Internet, blogs didn’t exist. Thus before the Internet causal writing was far less practiced. Unless you spent time writing for personal enjoyment, you only wrote professionally for your job or school. My point is today people use causal writing several times a day through the Internet. This new genre of literature has essentially revived passion back into writing.

 

This genre of writing allow individuals to become more publicly known then ever before. A good blog will attract more viewers to follow. If you want to get your name out there, start blogging it’s that simple. Create an attractive blog with good appealing information and it may be a place where other bloggers start to follow yours daily. Because of this, blog’s are becoming part of a business strategy. Many businesses have their own blog’s to attract consumers to their company. Businesses also pay bloggers for ad space on their blogs to generate brand awareness. It’s a great marketing strategy, find where there is a large audience and start advertising your business. Therefore, this genre of writing gives job opportunities to successful bloggers.

 

Blogging can also help you acquire an attractive professional online identity. Just like a resume, a blog can be something to persuade an employer that you are the right candidate for the job. You may know that I am studying Finance at San Francisco State University, eager to get a relevant job out of college. Therefore, the purpose of my blog is to create a professional image of myself. I want to be able to explain my passion for finance to an employer by showing them my blog. This genre of writing has allowed users of it to professionally rise above others. It has given bloggers an extra edge if they have created a successful blog. 

 

 

  I read an article at Time.com that listed the 25 best financial blogs. The number one rated blog was BusinessInsider . The site was filled with videos and pictures of current issues that impact particular companies’ value. Viewing this blog, I thought to myself what a great way to understand which companies are doing well and which are not. Now, instead of researching individual companies to try and find current issues affecting their stock price, good financial blogs offer a quick discovery of current impacts. For example, one of the posts from the Business Insider is titled, “P&G, Wal-Mart, Coke and 30 Other Huge advertisers Just Humiliated Microsoft.” A blogger reading this post might gather valuable information on the current condition of Microsoft that he would have otherwise not have heard about. What separates the valuable information a blogger gains from reading a blog from other news related sources is the communal discussion bloggers add to the post. Perhaps others views on the severity of Microsoft’s condition would be mentioned, giving readers a more open minded reaction.

 

After viewing other financial ranked blog sites, I have discovered current news is highly important. Staying consistently updated with current information will attract more followers to visit a blog. This genre of writing thrives on participating readers. Therefore, the more readers who visit your blog, the better chance comments will add to the post. Creating an online discussion that represents multiple perspectives in an online community, that will turn your website into a successful blog.

 

References

http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/2525,

 http://www.businessinsider.com