The document provides instructions on how to post in an online forum for a class. It explains that the forum is like an online discussion club where students can post their opinions on assigned topics and respond to other students' posts. It provides criteria for good forum posts, including being relevant, supported by evidence, and logically organized. An example of a bad post is given that is not directly relevant to the topic and lacks support. An example of a good post is also provided that states an opinion directly on the topic and includes a specific example to support the stance. Students are directed to log into the student portal to find assigned topics, view other posts, and make their own contributions to the discussions.

1. Welcome to
“How to Post in the Forum”

2. Think of the forum like a Discussion Club on the internet.
You can discuss about assigned topics and let other
students reflect on your opinion.

3. You can see all the posts that other
students have written. You should
read through what the other
students have said.
If you disagree or have a different point of
view then you can reply to their post. Or if
you have a totally new idea, you can write
your own direct response to the question.

4. Some weeks you will be given a question to answer or
statement to discuss with other students on the portal.
For example:
“All children should stay in school until they are 18”.
The questions might be: Do you agree or disagree
with this statement? Please support your opinion
with relevant information.

5. Forum Post Criteria:
Criteria (Perfect Score is 25/25)
5 Points 4 Points 3 Points 2 Points
Main idea is either unclear or
Composition Paragraph has a clear main The main idea and the The main idea or beginning
the beginning, middle and end
and idea, and an identifiable beginning, middle, and end of middle, and end of the
of the paragraph is not clearly
Organization beginning, middle and end. the paragraph are not clear. paragraph are not present.
distinguished.
Paragraph has three or more
Supporting Paragraph has two supporting Paragraph has one supporting Paragraph has supporting
supporting detail sentences
Detail detail sentences that relate detail sentence that relate back detail sentences that relate
that relate back to the main
Sentence(s) back to the main idea. to the main idea. back to the main idea.
idea.
A variety of sentence
Sentence structure, transition Uses repeated phrases and
Written structures, transition words, Sentence structure and
words, and vocabulary show patterns and vocabulary is
Expression and vocabulary are used vocabulary is limited.
some variety. limited.
accurately.
Relevance Paragraph is difficult to Paragraph is very difficult to
Paragraph is understandable, Paragraph is understandable
and understand and does not understand, does not address
accurately address the question but either doesn’t address the
Understand- address the question or strays the question, and strays off
and do not stray off topic. question or strays off topic.
ability off topic. topic.
Mechanics Paragraph has no errors in Paragraph has one or two Paragraph has three to five Paragraph has six or more
and punctuation, capitalization, and punctuation, capitalization, and punctuation, capitalization, and punctuation, capitalization,
Grammar spelling. spelling errors. spelling errors. and spelling errors.

6. Each of Your Forum Posts Should:
 Be relevant
What you write should focus only
on the assigned topics
 Have supporting statements
When you give your opinion, you
must provide evidence or examples
to support your ideas.
 Be logically organized
There should be clear connection
between sentences. Also, always
use a topic sentence!

7. AN EXAMPLE OF BAD POST

8. “ All children should stay in school until they are 18”
Education is important for students in order to improve their
knowledge. More education will improve the lives of the
people and they will get better jobs. The people who do not
attend school will have less knowledge and will not get a
successful career. It is good for the people to have more
students in the country. Improving knowledge is a useful skill
all across Asia.
What do you think about this post?

9. “ All children should stay in school until they are 18”
Relevance:
- Not direct to the topic
Education is important for students in order to improve their
knowledge. More education will improve the lives of the people and
they will get better jobs. The people who do not attend school will
have less knowledge and will not get a successful career. It is good
for the people to have more students in the country. Improving
knowledge is a useful skill all across Asia.
Unsupported Statement Organization:
- Give opinion with no - No connection to the other sentences
examples or evidence

10. EXAMPLE OF GOOD POST

11. “ All children should stay in school until they are 18”
The age to leave school is different in many countries around the
world, but I do not think staying on until 18 is a good idea. Extra
years of education will deny children opportunity to start work early
in more practical or vocational jobs that do not require any more
formal education. For example, many countries in Europe such as UK
has 16 as the leaving age for school. They have the options to leave
and start work, or t to continue studying. This choice is of great
benefit to society and can allow different types to people to pursue
their own careers earlier in life. For these reasons, I believe that keep
children in school for longer can damage their future and the working
society of a country.

12. “ All children should stay in school until they are 18”
Relevance:
- Direct to the topic
The age to leave school is different in many countries around the world, but
I do not think staying on until 18 is a good ideas. Extra years of education
will deny children opportunity to start work early in more practical or
vocational jobs that do not require any more formal education. For
example, many countries in Europe such as UK has 16 as the leaving age for
school. They have the options to leave and start work, or t to continue
studying. This choice is of great benefit to society and can allow different
types to people to pursue their own careers earlier in life. For these reasons,
I believe that keep children in school for longer can damage their future and
the working society of a country.
Organization:
Supported Statement:
- Topic sentence, supporting
- Give opinion with examples or
sentence and conclusion with good
evidences
transitional signals

13. Log on student portal and find the forum week!
Click on
Forum 1 to
see assigned
topic and
other
students’
opinion!

14. Introduction on
paragraph structure
Assigned Topic by
EPOP Teacher or
Staff
Reply Button to post your opinion
Student ‘s Post

15. Subject line responded
to the given topic
By clicking on Add a Type/Copy and Paste your ideas in this space!
new discussion topic,
You can see this page
Submit Button!

16. After posting your opinion to forum, you will see this!
Students' Posts
Individual’s post
By clicking on each individual post, you can see your peer opinions!
By clicking on Reply, you can respond to your peer’s opinion/post!

17. Check the portal regularly to see if
anyone has replied to your post, or
if there are any new posts, you are
interested in.

18. Good Luck!
If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact EPOP team:
Michael: epopasia@gmail.com
Sokha: sokha.epopasia@gmail.com
Blaire: blaire.epopasia@gmail.com
KMH: mm.epopasia@gmail.com