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Blogging Tone

I'm personally not a prolific blogger. I find it a little confronting to write and expect anyone to read it.  I worry that some might not agree with what I have to say and I'm really not sure that what I have to say is worth reading. I'm yet to be swayed to this type of communication media and have wondered why some people love writing, subscribing and reading others blogs and I don't. Is it dependant on personality type or have I hit the nail on the head when I say I'm worried that my ramblings might be confronted by someone?

This is really not what I wanted to discuss today although I suppose in some ways it is related. What I really wanted to discuss was the notion of 'tone' when we write for an audience. I believe that like other forms of writing digitally we need to consider the tone in which we write blogs.  How often have you received an email that you could have taken offence to?  The same goes for this writing forum as well.  Sometimes blogs that I have read have come accross as authoriative and probably without meaning to, they can offend.

Blogs can be a great way to open up a discussion, but I think we always need to consider the tone we take. and we need to teach students how to write in a clear but not abrupt way.

So what are some of the most important things to consider when communicating using blogs? Common and you would think basic ettiquette would suggest avoiding using inflamatory remarks. Always be polite and don't say anything in a blog that you wouldn't say to someone personally. A smily face at the end of a sentence doesn't necessarily take the sting out of your words! 

For instance you could say "my understanding is...." rather than a blatant "you are wrong" statement.

Being authoriative and confrontational about an issue I don't feel lends itself to a good learning outcome. Telling someone in a public place like a blog that they are wrong or that their actions are, can be very damaging to someone's confidence and I feel a softer approach would achieve a better outcome.  Maybe a personal email in the first instance, followed up with a blog response to the group in a tone that is conducive to a discussion rather than a debate.

Tags: bloggin blogs blogger
Posted at 03:48PM Oct 13, 2008 by Lynley Clark  |  Comments[2]