Birds Thoughts

WRITING 318 Space to share my writing and thoughts!

[birdselb16]

Original Content Week 15

What do you appreciate most about your learning about web writing? What I appreciate most about learning web writing is how it emphasizes clarity, brevity, and engagement. I learned how important it is to write with the audience in mind and to structure content in a way that's easy to scan online. Understanding how layout, headlines, links, and visuals affect readability has changed how I approach all kinds of writing. I also gained skills in writing for different digital platforms, which require slightly different tones and strategies. Overall, I now feel more confident creating content that is not only informative but also user-friendly. #writ318mu #week15

[birdselb16]

Original Content Week 15

What are you most proud of with your writing assignments in this class, this semester? I’m proud of the creativity and effort I put into each assignment this semester. I explored different writing styles and formats, which pushed me out of my comfort zone. One assignment in particular helped me combine research with storytelling in a way that felt really meaningful. It was the how-to write guide. Recreating content was a different world to me, so I was pushed outside my comfort zone. I also took care to make my work visually appealing and easy to read. Seeing my final pieces come together in a professional way was rewarding.

[birdselb16]

Original content week 15

What are you most proud of with your writing process? I’m proud of how much more structured and mindful my writing process has become. This semester, I started planning my drafts more carefully and giving myself time for real revision. I used to jump straight into writing, but now I reflect more before and after each draft. I’ve also learned to take feedback more constructively and apply it effectively. These changes have made me a more confident and thoughtful writer.

[birdselb16]

Thursday Check-In

I have a quick question about our design project. For the fan post and response, I’ve been creating content in Tumblr and taking screenshots—so it looks like an actual Tumblr post, even though I haven’t actually published them. Is this an acceptable format for turning in my work?

[birdselb16]

Original Content Week 14

One of my favorite TV shows right now is The Hunting Party on Peacock, and it’s also the one I chose for my design project. What I love about it is how it creates such a tight-knit fanbase—people are really invested in the characters, the mystery, and especially all the hidden clues. That level of obsession has definitely helped me understand the concept of “angry fandom.”

[birdselb16]

Original Content Week 14

This is an example of my angry fan post! For my design project, I chose the show The Hunting Party. What could I add to make it more specific?

[birdselb16]

Original Content Week 13

3. Explain how you are connecting your audience reaction to your version of Favorite Show:

My version of The Hunting Party highlights the exact tension fans are feeling—great premise, but underwhelming execution in some areas. On my curated Tumblr blog, I’m using fan reactions to explore what could have been if the writing leaned more into long-form storytelling and character arcs. I post edits, fake promo posters, and alternate plotlines that imagine a slower, more emotionally grounded version of the series. By acknowledging what fans love—like the eerie atmosphere—and what they want more of—like character-driven tension—I’m building a fan space that reflects both appreciation and critique. The goal isn’t just to hate-watch or nitpick; it’s to show how passionate fans can shape the narrative landscape. It becomes a conversation between the show, the viewers, and the possibilities beyond canon.

[birdselb16]

Original Content

2. Share a show detail that is upsetting your audience:

One upsetting detail for many viewers is how The Hunting Party introduces intense psychological stakes but often resolves them too quickly. The escaped killers have fascinating backstories, but the weekly format sometimes limits the depth they could have. In particular, some fans feel the trauma experienced by Bex, the main character, is glossed over or used mainly for plot advancement rather than real emotional development. Her past with Oliver is teased as important but lacks satisfying payoff in early episodes. It leaves viewers feeling like there’s a disconnect between what the show says it’s about and how it actually handles emotional consequences. This lack of character depth frustrates fans who are craving more than just surface-level suspense.

[birdselb16]

Original Content Week 13

1. Share a genre detail that will resonate with your audience:

The Hunting Party blends crime procedural with psychological thriller, a combo that really clicks with fans who love high-stakes investigations and complex criminal minds. It takes the familiar “killer-of-the-week” format and gives it a darker, serialized edge through “The Pit”—a secret prison for elite-level criminals. The show taps into themes of justice, secrecy, and obsession, which are staples of the genre. Fans of series like Mindhunter or Criminal Minds will appreciate the eerie mood and heavy profiling work. There’s something incredibly gripping about watching brilliant agents try to outthink serial killers with disturbing methods. It’s the genre's promise of suspense, logic, and danger all rolled into one.

[birdselb16]

Thursday Check-In

I have a question about the number of pieces required for my how-to-write guide. Last week, I remember you mentioning that only three pieces of content were needed, but the assignment instructions say four. I currently have three pieces—should I add another example to meet the requirement?"

@npfannen

[birdselb16]

Original Content Week 12

Request for Peer Feedback

Here’s a part of my How to Write Guide where I dive into using motivational captions. I’d love some feedback on whether the tone of my captions is relatable and whether they encourage you to take action. Is this caption too much, or is it just right between casual and motivational? Also, do you think my examples are clear enough to inspire others? Let me know what you think. I’m totally open to suggestions!

EXAMPLE: ✨Transform your space, transform your mind! 📚 A cluttered shelf is a cluttered mind, but with a little time and some organization magic, you can turn any mess into a masterpiece. 💫✨ Start with your bookshelf—group by genre, size, or color 🌈, and feel the calm flow in! 💖🧹 It's more than just tidying up; it's creating a space that fuels your creativity and joy. 🌟 #OrganizeYourSpace #BookShelfGoals #ClutterFreeLiving #SmallSpaceBigImpact 📖 #TransformationMotivation".

#writ318mu #week12

[birdselb16]

Original Content Week 12

Content Creation Reflection

Creating content for this strategy was honestly so fun and eye-opening. I learned that motivation really makes all the difference, just throwing up a cleaning video isn’t enough, you have to pair it with something that inspires people to actually get up and do it themselves. It’s also so important to listen to your audience. I’ve been tweaking my videos based on what people are saying, and it’s been super helpful. They want more tips, or they tell me how a certain transformation made them feel like they could clean too, it’s those little things that really make me feel like I’m creating something meaningful, not just posting for the sake of it.

[birdselb16]

Original Content Week 12

Tip: Boost Engagement with Transformation Motivation

Okay, so here’s the trick, the “Transformation Motivation” strategy is a total game-changer. Think about it, cleaning influencers like Kylie Perkins and SimplyOrganized crush it by sharing these amazing before-and-after cleaning videos with super motivational messages. They don’t just show the mess, they show the journey, and that’s what makes it so relatable. It’s like, “Hey, if they can do it, so can I!” Adding emojis and captions like “You’ve got this!” makes everything feel more fun and approachable. And the best part, the before-and-after visual is like instant satisfaction, it’s quick, it’s motivating, and it gets people talking, which means way more engagement.

[birdselb16]

Thursday Check - in

How much content should we create for the how-to-write guide draft this week? I was thinking of doing two examples of before-and-after cleaning videos, just like my content creators do and similar to what I hypothesized. I was wondering if there was a set amount of content you want.

@npfannen

[birdselb16]

Original Content Week 11

I plan to integrate my created content into my How to Write Guide in a way that makes it both practical and engaging for content creators. First, I’ll showcase examples of before-and-after cleaning transformations, using visuals and videos that demonstrate how to effectively capture the process in a fun and creative way. These examples will serve as models, showing the power of visual storytelling and how it can motivate an audience. I’ll also include step-by-step instructions on how to craft compelling captions and use motivational language to enhance engagement. To make it meaningful, I’ll tie in personal experiences or relatable struggles, which will help content creators connect with their audience on a deeper level. Finally, I’ll encourage creators to share their own creative twists on visual content, like fun video edits or behind-the-scenes moments, to keep their posts fresh and relatable. This will ensure that the guide is not only informative but also inspiring, helping creators build their own authentic style.

[birdselb16]

Original Content Week 11

I’ve learned that content strategy is super important when it comes to how content creators connect with their audience and inspire them to take action. One of the biggest takeaways is that visuals—like before-and-after transformations—are a game-changer in grabbing attention and showing real results. I also realized that using motivational language is key because it makes the content feel more relatable and achievable, which encourages people to engage. Creating content that feels personal and authentic, like showing struggles and celebrating wins, helps viewers connect on a deeper level. Adding fun, creative elements like videos can make the content more exciting and keep followers interested. These are all things I plan to include in my How to Write Guide, because they’re definitely the key to making content that works.

[birdselb16]

Original Content Week 11

In rethinking the style of my How to Write Guide for a content creator audience, I am focusing on making the guide both practical and inspirational. Content creators, especially in the cleaning and organization space, rely heavily on visual storytelling to engage their audiences, so I plan to emphasize the importance of using strong visuals, such as before-and-after images, to communicate transformation. Additionally, I will highlight the use of motivational language that resonates with followers and encourages them to take action, making the cleaning process feel achievable. The guide will also encourage creators to build relatability by sharing their own struggles, which humanizes their content and creates a deeper connection with their audience. I want to add my visual content and videos in a fun, creative way that captures attention while making the cleaning process feel enjoyable and less daunting. Ultimately, this approach will provide content creators with a roadmap to refine their content style, increase interaction, and inspire their audience to make positive changes.