Blog Post Assignment

Each student is required to write one blog post during the semester.

On the blogging schedule you will find the date it is due (the due date will always be two days before the class when we are discussing that reading) and the reading it should address. Please publish your post by 6 pm.  Posts published after that day will lose a letter grade for each day. Posts published late because of technical difficulties will not be exempt (so make sure you know what you’re doing ahead of time).

Post Format:

400-500 words (2 pages, double-spaced)

2-5 paragraphs

1 short quotation (no more than 20 words)

Multiple parenthetical citations (page references)

For parenthetical citations, the following format will be adequate:

Kant thinks that morality can be pure (Groundwork 334). 

In parentheses I have included one word from the title of the book Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals, because it is a long title.  I have also included the page number (334) where Kant specifically says something to this effect.  If you are citing an essay, the format would be:

Nagel imposes absolute limits on the methods of warfare (“War” 73).

Although the title is “War and Massacre”, I have shortened it.

Post Content:

What the blog post should not be

It should not be a summary.

It should not cover more than one topic.

It should not address texts other than the assigned.

What the blog post should be/have

1. A (single) first sentence that contextualizes (synoptic view) the matter.

2a. A prose outline of an argument’s syllogism. 

Example: “Spinoza thinks X=Z.  He thinks X=Z because (1) X=Y and (2) Y=Z”. 

Or/and:

2b. The clarification of an important passage.

Example: “When Spinoza writes ‘X+Y+Z=A’ (p. 35), he understands that [put X+Y+Z=A in your own words]”

2c. An explanation of an important concept.

Example: “By superstition Spinoza understands …  For example, he writes ‘X+Y=Z’, which means …”

3. A question about 2a/2b/2c, and, if space, an (attempted) answer to that question.

You are going to be very tempted to write about more than one matter because it will seem like there is not enough to say.  That is wrong.  If you cannot think of anything to say, consider the presuppositions for this matter.