Midterm Writing Task Writing a blog post (2.

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A. Recognizing the elements of a blog post.

1. Take a look at a screenshot of a blog post and work on the activities that follow.

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Vocabulary
disenfranchised: without the right or license given by a company to trade products in a specific territory.
greed: an excessive desire to possess more than what one needs or deserves.
havoc: destruction; disorder.
mayhem: chaos, confusion.
outrageous: offensive; extremely unusual.
riot: a turbulent disturbance created by a large number of people
shortage: deficit.
thriving: successful; prosperous.
unfettered: free.

a. Match the numbers to their correspondent parts:

( )url ( )title of the blog

( )title of blog post ( )illustration

( )date of post ( )content

b. Based on the title of the blog, what do you expect to find in the text?

c. Now read the title of the blog post and look at the picture. Can you predict what relation the
picture may have to the content of the post?

d. In your opinion, are titles and illustrations important? What is their function?

e) Think about the process of creation of a title. Do you think this process should occur before or
after the creation of the text itself?

B. Working with the content

1. Read the blog post and do the following tasks.

a. What is this blog post about?

b. A blog post may serve several purposes. Choose the option that best characterizes the purpose
of the blog post you read:
( )to inform

( )to teach how to do something

( )to make a review of a product

( )to give suggestions on common issues

( )to entertain

c. Choose four key-words to summarize the content of the text.

d. How does the blogger position him/herself on this unusual way of living: for or against it? Why
do you think so?

C. Writing your own blog post.

1. You are going to write a first DRAFT of your text on AN UNUSUAL WAY OF LIVING in class
(around 130 words). Make a list of the things you want to talk about. Think of five key-words that
may be present in your text. Also, think of an image that might illustrate your text.
a. Start with the first paragraph. What is the post about? What is its purpose? Who is your
audience? After writing it, ask your friend to read it and comment on it if s/he finds the ideas
involving, if it grabs their attention. Write down his/her comments and ideas on your draft.

b. Explore more your ideas on second and third paragraphs. Try to fill in the blanks you have
outlined previously. You may want to add supporting evidence, cite sources, show research, ask
questions, give examples or simply tell a story regarding the topic.

c. Make sure to find a closure to your blog post. What kind of response do you want from your
readers? Do you want them to write replies and interact with your text?

d. Work on your TITLE.

e. After writing your draft, read it again and EDIT it.

DRAFT

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First paragraph
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Comments:
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Ideas for illustration:

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FIRST DRAFT COMPLETE VERSION

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