Embedding Links in Blogs

I've had a few folks say that they're having trouble embedding links in their blog posts. By "embedding," I mean the practice of linking to a website or article, like this op-ed from New York Times journalist Joe Nocera, in the actual text of the blog post. Embedded linking is considered superior to leaving a clunky URL on the page, like this: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/23/opinion/nocera-where-the-candidates-degree.html?_r=0

Sure, both links will take you to the same place. However, if you visit high quality webpages across the Internet, you'll find that the authors almost always embed links rather than writing out clunky URLs. It makes the writing look more clean, and it makes the page easier for readers to use.

If you're running into issues with embedding links, check out the quick video below that clearly shows how the process works.

Thanks, T.C.

Assignment #5: Second Posts

This week's social issue publishing assignment is exactly the same as last week's. The only difference is that if you completed a Full Post for Thursday (10/18), you'll be creating a Curated Post this week (and vice versa).

Assignment #4: First Posts

So at this point in the quarter, we've accomplished a few things that will aid our work for the "social issue publishing" component of this course. You've each identified a social issue you're interested in, and you've found group members with common interests to write with. You identified a peer group of other blogs and websites from which you can draw information and inspiration for future posts. You've also created a few resources (e.g., blogroll, "about us" page, other "gadgets") that will be useful for readers and that give a sense of identity to your blog.

Now to writing about your social issue.

Assignment #3: Blog Identity

Tasks must be completed by Tuesday, 10/9 by midnight

As I explained in class today, Assignment #3 is geared toward laying the groundwork for your blog. We're going to incorporate a few basic components that most good blogs and websites have, and that readers expect as part of an engaging experience on a site. We'll get to the writing over the next few weeks, but we want to keep the horse in front of the cart.