Prior to class I set up a single blog that we'll all use to archive class work. Each student should create an account with Splinder and sign up for the blog—engl302. We'll go through this in class on the first day.

The class will use the blog to post short writing assignments, archive smaller groupwork assignments, and communicate within disciplinary groups. In addition to these specific assignments, you can post comments on someone else's post, a claim/observation of your own, or links to articles, databases, or websites of interest.

Required blogs are assigned in the syllabus. But to encourage more blogging in addition to main homework posts, I will give extra credit toward your participation grade each time you make an extra post or comment. The more posts and comments you have, the higher your participation grade will be. Some assignments may count more than 1 participation point and I will make this clear ahead of time.

Subscribe:

To subscribe, follow these directions. The basic process is:

1. Create an account with Splinder.
2. Set up a user name and password.
3. Give me your user name.
4. I will invite you to join the engl302 blog.

We will start this process in the first class meeting, but you may need to finish it at home. If there is any problem, we can work on it at the beginning of the second class period.

GMU email accounts:

To subscribe to the blog you need a web-based email account. If you don't already have one, you should activate your GMU email account. See the info/links below to activate your account.

At the very least you should activate it and forward your mail to an email account you regularly use. If I need to email you individually, I'll use your GMU email. If you have a question about your PIN number, see ITU support.

• How to Access Your Memo Mail Account for the First Time Using the Web Client
  -- Susan Campbell
• How to Set Up Automatic Forwarding on Your Memo Mail Account
  -- Susan Campbell
• Using the GMU MEMO E-mail from the WWW (new system)
  -- Virginia Montecino