Dystopian Literature Circle Unit Final: Blog Assignment & Rubric

Purpose of the Assignment:
Blogging is an excellent way for students to practice using the internet responsibly and to be cognizant of the content they are publishing.  It is a writing format that has exploded recently and the blogoshpere is being used by all types of businesses and individuals.  This will give students another venue for discussion of topics explored during this unit and an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to use the internet responsibly and employ their writing/critical thinking skills.  For this assignment students will form a question, comment on the questions posed by their peers, and respond to the comments from their peers.

THIS IS YOUR FINAL, SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT - PLEASE TREAT IT AS SUCH!!!

Requirements:

1. Students will initiate a discussion by posting a question that asks their peers to think critically about the novel they read in class.  The question will focus on the area of the novel they were asked to discuss in their literature circles (character, plot, theme, literary devices or vocabulary).  The goal of this question is to provoke a thoughtful discussion.  It should be open-ended - there should not be only one correct answer.  Students will use the label function to assign two labels to this question: the title of their novel AND their complete first and last names.
2. Students will comment on TWO questions posed by their peers.  These comments should integrate the concepts that we have been learning in class during this unit and they should be backed with details, reasons AND - most importantly - evidence from the text.  In other words, you need a direct quote (or more) taken from the text and followed by a properly formatted, MLA citation.  (HINT: use your annotations.)  These comments should directly engage the content of the previous comments - in other words, demonstrate that you have read the previous discussion and build on, not simply repeat, the ideas presented there.  They should be approximately 300-400 words and employ standard conventions, making them clear, concise and easy to understand.  (You can comment on a question posed by anyone - it doesn't need to be someone from your literature circle, class or even in your pod.)
3. Finally, students will read all of the comments on their initial question and be permitted the final word through a thoughtful response.  This response should demonstrate the writer's ability to apply the skills of analysis, synthesis and evaluation.  It should demonstrate that they have read all comments connected with their question and the writing should employ standard conventions, making it clear, concise and easy to understand.

Timeline:
Day One: Post Question and Begin Comments - DO NOT publish your responses until you have edited them carefully.
Homework: Edit, Revise and Post Comments.  Make certain to read previous comments posted.
Day Two: Read all comments and formulate a final response.

Tips for Effective Blogging:
Here are some suggestions for being an effective blogger:

• Write engaging, thought-provoking, and intelligent posts that encourage others to respond.  Each post should have an argument, express a point of view, and indicate an openness to conversation (often by asking a question that invites reader comment).
• Respond to those who comment, to foster dialogue
• Identify people named. This is both courteous, and can let others know you’re talking about them, which can encourage discussion.  If you are responding to someone's previous comment directly, let them know and use their name.
• Express an opinion, or at least a strong angle. Give people something to talk about.
• Ask a question. Make it clear that you are open to interaction.  Think about the questions that have raised interesting discussions in your literature circles and mirror those questions here.
• Write clearly and correctly - apply English conventions that we have been learning in class.
• Respect boundaries and etiquette - be kind and courteous.

	Question X4	Comments on Other People’s Questions X6	Response to the Comments on Your Question X2
4	Question asks readers to think critically and leads to a thoughtful discussion in connection with the text. Label with first and last name and   text title is employed.	Comments consistently demonstrate integration of concepts learned in class. Comments consistently back opinions with details, reasons AND evidence from the text. Writing of the comments consistently is clear, concise and easy to understand.  Standard grammar and spelling are consistently used.	Response consistently demonstrates use of critical thinking skills and evidence of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Response consistently considers previous comments within the discussion. Writing of the response consistently is clear, concise and easy to understand. Standard grammar and spelling are consistently used.
3	Question asks reader to think critically or leads to a thoughtful discussion in connection with the text.	Comments often demonstrate integration of concepts learned in class. Comments often back opinions with details, reasons AND evidence from the text. Writing of the comments often is clear, concise and easy to understand.  Standard grammar and spelling are often used.	Response often demonstrates use of critical thinking skills and evidence of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Response often considers previous comments within the discussion. Writing of the comments often is clear, concise and easy to understand. Standard grammar and spelling are often used.
2	Question does not require critical thinking and/or leads to a limited discussion.  Connection with the text is minimal.	Comments sometimes demonstrate integration of concepts learned in class. Comments sometimes back opinions with details, reasons AND evidence from the text. Writing of the comments sometimes is clear, concise and easy to understand.  Standard grammar and spelling are sometimes used.	Response sometimes demonstrates use of   critical thinking skills and evidence of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Response sometimes considers previous comments within the discussion. Writing of the comments sometimes is clear, concise and easy to understand. Standard grammar and spelling are sometimes used.
1	Question is not open-ended.  Connection with the text is not present.	Comments rarely demonstrate integration of concepts learned in class. Comments rarely back opinions with details, reasons AND evidence from the text. OR only 1 comment made. Writing of the comments rarely is clear, concise and easy to understand.  Standard grammar and spelling are rarely used.	Response rarely demonstrates use of critical thinking skills and evidence of analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Response rarely  considers previous comments within the discussion. Writing of the comments rarely is clear, concise and easy to understand. Standard grammar and spelling are rarely used.
0	Label is not used. No question written.	No comments made.	No response made.

Total: ____/48