I have evolved tremendously as a writer since my blogging debut back in January. As I continue to learn more about this genre from our classes and my own independent research, I have learned many invaluable lessons. Along with my new found mastery of the hyperlink button, I now possess many new writing techniques that transcend the blogging genre. I feel the most important realization I have made is my greater appreciation for the Ethos aspect of the Rhetorical Triangle. Because literally anybody can start their own blog, it is essential to establish your credibility as a writer whilst blogging, otherwise no one will be interested in what you have to say. When discussing a controversial subject -- as I do in my Activist Blog -- it is impudent to declare yourself as a credible source of information. But because I lack formal education in my field, I am required to establish Ethos by stating my sources. Through the use of videos and hyperlinks, I successfully cite my sources and establish my Ethos as a writer.
I feel my Activist Blog is strong on many different levels, but if I had to pick a single strength, it would be its subject. As I frequently state throughout my blog, health is the number one concern in so many people's lives. And with the topics like Medical Marijuana dominating the headlines, my blog is able to combine a popular topic with current events. Many practices that have been around for centuries, like Yoga, are only now getting the attention they deserve. With dozens of new studies being conducted on everything between Acupuncture and Magic Mushrooms, information about alternative medical treatments is available like never before. Through my blog, I am able to deliver important information about a growing topic, therefore creating a site that is both relevant and insightful.
Because of the universal appeal of my blog, I feel its greatest limitation is with the audience. In class I have been instructed to clearly define my audience, but because health is a part of literally everybody's life, it is difficult to isolate an audience. My greatest limitation is my lack of limitation -- if that makes any sense. By not explicitly declaring a target audience, I risk losing points on the grading rubric. I attempted to state that this is a blog intended for those who are open to new ideas and alternative treatments, but that does not seem to be as defined as my professor would like it to be.
For my final submission of Activist Blog, I plan to make a few adjustments that will greatly improve my blog's appeal. First, I plan to correct my About Me Statement -- which lacks any real merit. I will use this section to establish Ethos amongst my readers by explaining how I got the idea for Dr. Phil's Pharmaceuticals. A well-developed About Me Statement will give the new readers a look into the mind of the blogger. Second, I plan on citing my sources better. I do not cite the source of many photographs or videos, and by adding citations I will establish my Ethos even further. Citations are an important part of any piece of writing, and blogs are no exception. I feel my lack of citations was a huge detriment to my Ethos as a blogger. Finally, I plan to make major changes to the visual layout of the blog. As it stands, the blog description is partially unreadable. The picture I use in my background interferes with the white font of the description; the white words are lost in an equally white cloud. Minor adjustments to the blog's image will greatly improve both it's usability and readability. These three minor adjustments will make a giant impact on my final submission.
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