Saturday, March 11, 2017

On blog commenting, another #sol17 challenge Day 11


The SOLSC commenting challenge is a mid challenge event to encourage and reward commenting.

This weekend (Saturday, 3/11 and Sunday 3/12 through 11:59 PM EDT), comment on 60 or more SOLSC posts. Be sure to keep track! (You could track your comments with tally marks on a Post-It note.) 
After you leave at least 60 comments by Sunday evening, come back to this post and fill out the Google Form 
The March challenge is as much about reading other blog posts and commenting as it is about writing a post every day of the month. Commenting, a minimum of three per day on different posts (preferably more), is also part the completion requirement to qualify for a random draw for prizes. Welcome Wagon Volunteers should comment on all their new slicers' posts.

Commenting instructions specifically state that comments are to be original, avoid comment cliches (such as "great post," "keep up the good work" etc) and not copy/paste recycled comments across multiple posts. There is also no specifically stated requirement for person blogging the post to reply to comments, standard blogging etiquette.

By contrast, the commenting challenge ups the commenting ante from the minimum to a level that makes compliance with commenting guidelines less than realistic. It could suck all the joy and natural engagement out of comment conversations.
On the other, the challenge no doubt operates to push commenting limits to break down resistance/reluctance to comment. As someone who's been blogging since 2006 and moderating online discussions since the late 90s, that's not an issue for me. I'll see how a commenting surge plays out but pass on the challenge.

In the meantime, I have tired peepers and peeps check on, so....




Welcome to the March 2017 Slice of Life blogging challenge, hosted by Two Writing Teachers. Slicers blog daily through March, a post a day, every day of the month. We read each others' posts and engage in extended written conversations commenting on them. If you missed this year's challenge, there's always next year. Until then, you can slice weekly on Tuesdays with TWT. 



5 comments:

  1. I won't get to 60 blogs tonight, but I am hoping to get to 10 before my eyes closed. I really appreciate how comments help us to connect more with each other.

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  2. As I am reading your blog, I am working on the commenting challenge. I think it is a fun idea! Mainly because it "forces" me and drives me to read more than just a few posts on the SOL pages. I often just read the few that came before/after me and move on. This way, I am opening my eyes to many more interesting posts!

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  3. Even though you're "passing" on this challenge, as a new slicer whose page you've been commenting on, I want to thank you for commenting on my stories every day. I can't imagine finding the time to comment on so many new peoples' stories and yet you continue to do so reflectively and poignantly. Thank you and thanks for sharing!

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  4. While the commenting seems like A LOt, I commented on thirty blogs yesterday in 10 or so blog streams and am spending a set amount of time today reading and commenting as well. What I noticed for myself is that reading lots of blogs give me lots of ideas. I have written pages in my writer's notebook, added many blocks to my padlet, and snippets in my google blog folder. The same is true for us as it is for the students, the more we read, the better we write. In writing these small snippets, I am working on my composition as well. It fits so well into our plan of improving our writing.

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  5. I do agree that 60 seems like a HUGE number. This is my last weekend before conferences, so I am already swamped. But I may keep pushing on as a distraction ...

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