A good blog

1. RUNNING HEAD: A Good Blog 1
A Good Blog
Aijalon Rivas
COM 480 Communication Studies Capstone
Dr. Dan Tinianow
9 January 2016

2. A Good Blog 2
A blog is a website on the internet that is usually ran by an individual. It is written in an
informal style and is regularly updated with new information, design and images. It is usually
presented in chronological order and features many links, commentary and articles. A good blog
contains purpose, design, content, and audience. There are certain recommendations for
enhancement and revision to make a blog appear and come across in more of a professional
manner.
The components and elements required to develop and design an effective and visually
appealing blog are format, design, content and organization. Format is a way in which the blog is
arranged or set out. Blogs are usually written in chronological order, starting with the most
recent. Marsh, Guth and Short explain that, “Many blogs include previous entries beneath the
current entry, which readers can access simply by scrolling down the Web page” (2009, pg. 108).
Design on a blog is the background theme, images, drawings produced to show the look and
present the format and purpose to the audience. Content is information that is made available to
the reader on a blog. Whether it is literary work, a speech, or any other substance, each blog
needs some form of content to inform the reader. Lastly, organization on a blog is the structure in
which things are connected. It is important to have a form of arrangement on a blog.
One of the students’ blogs was Shaunnette Bright. The feedback given was to calm down
the colors. It is a little too rough on the viewer’s eyes. And it does not come across professional.
Another formatting tip would be to be careful of title lengths. Many articles stick to a certain
number of words to draw attention from the audience. Too many words loses attention. For the
design content, I would suggest to stick to one or two colors and one or two fonts only. It is
easier to focus and read the content instead of having distractions with the different variations.
Using a blog template and choosing a preferred color palette that is easy on the eyes and the

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reader is a good start to making a blog looking professional. Though, it is human to through a
little flare to show your personality, tastefully. Using the pictures and images she used was a
good addition in support of each post. The last suggestion would be to stick to one or two fonts.
Using too many different fonts looks busy and it is hard to focus on the information at hand
when too many styles are across the page.
Shaunnette’s content and organization was very strong. Marsh, Guth and Short explain
that, “Blog posts can range from one paragraph to several paragraphs. Be informal: Use the first-
person pronouns I and we,” (2009, pg. 109). Shaunnette blogged about conflict management and
went on to say that, “This is how I would handle this issue to help me get through to this difficult
employee” (Bright, 2015). In doing so, she followed the content and organization rules on being
informal with her blog.
The second students’ blogs was Peggy Sue Hughes. The content was very informative.
The extra additives were appreciated on the side bar such as her Twitter link, Facebook badges
and her LinkedIn profile. It showed experience with blogging and social media in general.
Marsh, Guth and Short explain that, “Blogs contain highlighted links to earlier posts, other blogs,
online documents, videos, other Web sites and/or similar information sources, “ (2009, pg. 108).
Peggy Sue added links, pictures with actual statistics and videos to solidify her content and
organization.
The only suggest Hughes should make would be to change the title of each post to black.
There is an abundance of purple color and breaking up the color scheme would be easier on the
eyes and for every reader who comes across her blog. Though, having the color purple shows her

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personality and can symbolize the future, imagination and spiritual calming and royalty. Peggy
Sue showed a little flare to show her personality, tastefully.
The last students’ blogs was Maral. One thing that was noticed when blog critiquing was
this blog was the only blog that didn’t list their last name. It seemed very informal, but to draw
an audience and to be known professionally, the last name should be listed suggestively. What
was, also, noticed was there was no added a picture of themselves. The other blogs had a self-
portrait to get a name to face to be on an understanding level but Maral did not have one, so that
would also be helpful. It gives a visual of who the reader is collaborating with and shows of the
work and pride to claim your own work and style.
Lastly, for format and design, Maral had a URL as “booklover.” It would be neat for play
on words, for design purposes, to have a background of a library or even stacked books. The
design layout and theme of the clouds and how you can get lost in them with reading is creative,
but a book design would be a creative touch to things. Finally, all of Maral’s posts are the same
double spacing but the last post. Going through and making everything equal and uniformed
looks much more professional.
I will incorporate this knowledge into my own blog. I will take each critique and apply it
to my own. I will make sure that I will not use too much of one color. I want readers to be able to
read the font size on my blog. I will be informal by using more first-person pronouns. Lastly, I
will make sure the font is uniformed and I do not have my blog looking too busy. Keeping the
blog professional, yet informal is key. A good blog contains purpose, design, content, and
audience. There are certain recommendations for enhancement and revision to make a blog

5. A Good Blog 5
appear and come across in more of a professional manner and I will take each critique to build a
better blog.

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References
Bright, S. (2015). Shaunnette speaks. Retrieved from: http://wakeupwithcookie.blogspot.com/
Hughes, P. (2015). Showcasing in communications. Retrieved from:
http://peggysue2568.blogspot.com/
Maral. (2015). The many wonders of communications. Retrieved from:
http://booklover1487.blogspot.com/
Marsh, C., Guth, D.M. & Short, P. (2009). Strategic writing, multimedia writing for public
relations, advertising and more. Boston: Pearson.