Digital Writings

assoc. professor of writing studies, digital media, and games

[zfrost43]

Check-In

The questions I have regarding this assignment revolve solely around the data portion. I am curious about what the graph requirement is for this assignment. Is there a certain number of graphs we require to show our data? Or is it up to our interpretation of what will accurately portray the data? I am just wondering what the specific guidelines are on that.

@npfannen

[npfannen]

Focus on answering your research question - how many graphs, and what data should be graphed for you to thoroughly address your RQ/hypothesis? There is no one answer to this - but the graphs will be more meaningful when focused on your main claim.

[scottwestfield]

Assignment Ask Post 2

Working through this data project is making me think differently about lower engagement.

If a post receives fewer likes or comments, does that mean the content did not work? I do not think it is that simple. Some posts may speak to a smaller part of the discourse community, especially if the topic is more academic, abstract, or specific.

That makes me wonder how we should analyze engagement without turning it into a good-or-bad judgment. What can lower engagement still tell us about audience, culture, and web writing choices?

[npfannen]

I think you are asking really important questions here!!!

I would use these questions to also revise your original questions then too - when you use 'fewer' do you mean 'fewer as in NOT viral' or 'fewer as in not as many on post A and post B'? Fewer is too often thrown around with no clear idea what comparison is actually being made.

Checking that assumption should then help us consider what lower engagement tells us. Was it the wrong time of day? Was the cultural communication not clear? Did the algorithm or platform intentionally hide a specific post? We know all these things happen - we can better determine which was at play once we start asking the really hard questions.

[anthrociteglow]

APPLES TO APPLES

Week 3 Dr. P. Check-in

@npfannen I am planning to review accounts that will offer several types of content such as videos and written commentary. Should I filter post engagement results by the type of content or use the mixed media total for each account? Additionally should I only use the same type of content to track results?

[npfannen]

It depends on your research question..........Both approaches would work, which method answers your research question?

[jdkarlowich]

Content Final Project

Concerning the site to go on, is there a specific type of site that you want us to choose from or can we make up our own decisions on this? For example, do we need to do a site for a university or organization or can we also choose a site that might gear a bit more toward our own interest, though one that is not too complicated?

#write318mu #week3 @npfannen

[npfannen]

You need to select a site that is regularly used, and publicly shares data (instagram, facebook, twitter, threads, bluesky).

Then you should select content creators that align with your interest. You need to be able to fully flush out an audience analysis - so you need to know the content.

[momof7sblog]

Hi Dr. P! This will be my check in post for week 2. I chose this gif because though this summer session is short and heavy-its almost over which is cause for celebration! In terms of best supporting me for our data project I think just being there to support me and answer any questions I have along the way is the best pathway for me! Like you said collecting data in this format is new to me, but data itself is not as its the crux of my entire work life- LOL! What is the most unfamiliar to me would be formally writing and making conclusions about data in this context as usually the data I work with stays within its respected charts and majority of the conclusion discoveries made are usually either discussed face to face or through very short "formal" write ups that are mostly just summaries. I hope my small experience can provide an easier transition but also supply me with an avenue to learn way more about data driven web writing! @npfannen

[npfannen]

As you work through the project there are some key things to remember about writing.

The first thing we struggle with (we being everyone, myself included) when working with new ideas - grammar and word choice. As you draft, focus on capturing the big ideas, revise for more flushed out word choice and language presentation. Draft 2 can be when you start considering the words - Draft 1 should be capturing the big ideas in terribley written sentences.

Second, conclusions. The goal of all science and humanities research is not to preset THE answer, but to present an answer that makes sense now, and 10-50 questions we now have because of this work. Don't set the bar too high for your conclusions - you should conclude with "here is what the data shows in response to my research question". This will mean the background and intro lead to why you asked your question - the conclusions show why you are right/wrong, and why that matters. Then, the conclusions will also point out the new questions that can be asked, and should be researched later, because you did this work. Conclusions, especially in published articles, are usually "here is 1 contribution, here are 50 questions". That's the critical thinking work we demonstrate.

[momof7sblog]

Check in

The question I have about data driven web writing is- we are learning and looking to see what is the "it" of a post and site and how the user reacts to it. When looking at our data that we collected and are now collecting for this weeks assignment I find myself asking do the users actually consume the content on the page and what is keeps them there? Or do they just engage, likes, shares, comments, etc to keep the page fresh and current for a later time. Will we ever know a single users true engagement ? Or are they just foraging for information? @npfannen

[npfannen]

You are getting at the complex idea of digital literacy. If we move beyond seeing 'literacy' as reading and writing in a specific way for a standardized measure - then we're defining literacy as skills and practices for situated communication.

The complicated part is situated communication.

That means, a post can communicate differently depending on the audience and reader - and how they are situating it (which is beyond what we can easily measure). For instance, your post.....because I've met with you on zoom, I made decisions to focus my discussion on literacy, using a word that should be recognizable to an Education major. Other students in this class, going through the same experiences as you, and doing the same work, with similar questions, will get different responses from me, framed based on what I know about them.

The really really hard part of social media is views/likes drive the commerce side, which impacts how the hosting site (facebook, twitter, instagram) build the platform, which influences how creators create, which dictates what is culturally accessible to people who might resonate with those ideas, that content, that culture. And, there is no good or easy way to ask a billion people their thought process about every single post they engage - nor how their thought process differs from post to post. We do so much of that literacy work without being able to name our skills, thinking process, or put words to critical thinking in ways that share the work meaningfully for outside observers who care about literacy........

[mianilee]

what assignment questions do you have ?

For the "Data Analysis Practice: data" assignment, should we do that first and then the "Notes: Data-driven practice"? And those answers will be in reflection #2?

2. Also, for the thesis, what is supposed to create when it asks.... "What level of engagement does the University department/club/organization achieve in their social network? " Are you looking for a specific category like in the article (ex. functions, institutional, research, social engagement)

@npfannen

[npfannen]

Yes, the reading notes will be included as part of the Reflection #2 submission.

I do recommend you select a category from Capriotti, et al. for your hypothesis. Then, code the data with those codes. Then graph the data to show the answer to your hypothesis.

[lmlambert-ville]

Week 2 Check-In

When including data in shorter web writing (Instagram), what is the best way to include an explanation of the data that is also shown in a graph or table? Maybe that depends on the audience or purpose? #writ318mu #week2 @npfannen

[npfannen]

Let your hypothesis guide you. Your analysis should focus on how the data you've collected answers your hypothesis - does it show that you were right, or wrong (keep in mind, right or wrong have no impact on your final grade!).

Then, as you build the analysis, and explain the hypothesis findings, include sample posts to showcase why. Why do your findings look the way they do?

[zfrost43]

Dr. P Check In

The questions I have regarding this week’s assignments are about the data analysis specifically. How should we go about analyzing our data? Do we need to input the data in statistical software and run any kind of hypothesis tests? Will we be needing to make any graphs or charts? I am not the strongest at math or statistics so I am just curious how mathematically involved the data analysis needs to be. Do you need to find the p value and compare it with alpha in order to determine whether to support or refute our hypothesis?

@npfannen

[npfannen]

This is NOT a stats class.

I recommend putting the data in a chart, then letting the excel or google graph it for you.

You'll want to choose a chart that will showcase how your data answers your research question. I include a whole page of how to do this in D2L.

You do NOT need to find p value, you do NOT need to use statistical software. We only have 10 pieces of data - look for trends in that, answer your hypothesis.

[anthrociteglow]

Wait, what?

@npfannen I have a question about this week's project. For part of the assignment it reads to add a screen shot of each of the 10 posts. I also see you have used a spreadsheet to layout all the information that we need to submit. Do you have a specific template that you would like for us to use or are we just making something up on our own. If we are creating something how large do you want the image of the post to be?

[npfannen]

You should use the chart I provided as your sample, then fill it in. The screenshots can be any size you need them to be - but ultimately usable so you can include them in the final draft.

For the post, a screenshot is a screenshot. The post is the template.....so I think I might not understand what you are asking......

[annaleone24]

Questions on content

I think the reason that content confuses me is because it is such a big and broad topic. @npfannen Some questions that I still have about content are, How can readers of the media spot the differences between different contents? people on the media want to read what interests them, so that is why I question how readers can see the differences so they are able to choose what best interests them. Another question I have is what is the best way that a writer can target a specific audience within their content? I know that in the chapters you talked about some ways, but I am still a bit confused as to how writers can exactly do that and read their audience, especially because the world is so diverse and people have so many different interests. How do we get our content to reach the intended audience so we can get something out of it?

[npfannen]

How can readers of the media spot the differences between different contents?

****We look for clues - hashtags, account names, and language choices. When I am on TikTok looking at content about media writing, I often look to see if the creator has "dr" in their user name - if they share their rank (assistant professor, etc.), if they link to or share publications. I look for clues that the content shared on my FYP is content that will actually help me with my work - or if it's an opinion piece not worth my time. While I'm using an example for work - we all do this with all content. Depending on the discourse community, we have metrics we use to know if the creator/speaker KNOWS what they are talking about.

what is the best way that a writer can target a specific audience within their content?

This changes all the time. Usually hashtags are the best first step - but this requires constant engagement and research. Content creators need to know how to grow their audience, by finding their audience. We do that with hashtags. BUT - we also need to have realistic expectations. Steady content engagement, because engagement will vary post-to-post is VERY different than trying to create a viral post. One can pull in income, the other will be a draw once and a let down for the next year until that person has to get a job in the real world.

How do we get our content to reach the intended audience so we can get something out of it?

If your goal is to 'get something out of it' - you won't draw the audience. We (audiences) have become VERY jaded. We want 'authentic' content. But authentic means a million different things, and changes daily. We don't want product placement videos and advertisements pretending to be content - so creators have to work really hard creating, editing, and sharing a massive amount of content so they generate a little bit of income (if that's the something out of it).

[zfrost43]

Dr. P Check In

Hello! My name is Zoe Frost, and I am a third-year environmental biology student. I really love science, especially botany, ecology, mycology, zoology, and botany. My dream job is to work as botanical scientist, a conservationist, or field ecologist. Outside of academics, I am a student worker in admissions. I have twenty-five houseplants and I name them all! I play the ukulele and guitar, and am hoping to begin learning the banjo. I also enjoy reading, especially fiction, scientific nonfiction, and feminist literature and nonfiction.

I am excited to learn the strategy and process behind creating content online. I believe I will need to use the tools learned from this class in my professional career, so I am excited to begin developing these skills. I am dedicated to purposefully creating time in my weekly schedule to dedicate to learning and growing these skills.

@npfannen

[npfannen]

I love plants. I have tons of house plants - most are cat safe because my fur children are still young and not responsible with plants. I am a huge fan of snake plants because they are so easy to propagate - but those have to stay up higher in places the cats can't reach......

Drawing on your experience/expertise......I need to get more soil for my indoor plants. I have a few that need repotted - and I want to grow a bit more basil while the summer makes it easy. Is there a trick to purchasing good soil, and then not getting the little fly bugs???

[momof7sblog]

Check in post

Hi Dr. P! This is my check-in post. I'm super excited for this class. I know it will serve me well in my future classroom as a teacher. I am a little new to Tumblr and social media as a whole, but I am excited to get more familiar with these platforms! I currently work in a classroom with students, and was going around asking if any of them have any expierence with this platform, and only one of them knew, so I'm still figuring all of this out. They helped me pick the image because they said it was what the first day of a new class feels like to them- in the direct line of fire LOL! @npfannen

[npfannen]

I tried to be transparent in the overview getting us started on tumblr - but I did choose this space because 1) very few students are familiar, 2) it has the best privacy and anti-ai supports, 3) it's the easiest to create a version of yourself you don't have to massively undo later. So many major platforms (Instagram/threads, and facebook) want a 'real' version of you - and then I require posts and responses about topics that may not align with that 'real' version. Selecting a space that protects you AND isn't heavily used, is by design so my public class work helps you see and understand the public nature of web writing, without creating a lot of confusing web writing in spaces that will be more meaningful to you later.

I also love that you turned to your students for help with the meme of this post. Tell them A+. Flanders is always a great choice!

[annaleone24]

Check in Week 1

Hi Dr.P @npfannen , I did not know if a check in post was needed for the first module, but I will do one just in case. My name is Anna Leone and I've had you for English 100, I loved having you as a teacher, you helped me to improve my writing so much!. I am an upcoming second semester junior, taking classes in the summer so I am able to graduate a semester early with an Early Childhood Education major.

I am excited for the course and to get to learn more about web writing and the importance of it! I have really only focused upon academic and essay writing, and web writing is not a type of writing that I have spent a lot of time learning about or even thinking about while I do it. Knowing the how and why of web writing will be so beneficial to me for the rest of my college career and my future career!

[npfannen]

Hi Anna!!!! So lovely to have you in class again!!!!!!

As an early childhood major, you will likely turn to the internet/web writing for classroom ideas as you move into student teaching and your own classroom post-graduation. Thinking through how to assess good and useful web writing now, will make your work less in the future when you're also in charge of 20+ littles!!! I really do hope this class helps you connect writing and research practices now, to work-is-easier later!

[mianilee]

What Questions do you have about the Content reflection assignment?

For the reflection assignment, are we reading and writing our own notes along with responding to the reflection questions in the reading? Also, is there a certain format needed for the reflection assignment? I currently have a section for notes that I have created, and then the questions with answers as well.

@npfannen

[npfannen]

The notes from the chapters will be submitted with Reflection #1. I am not picky on the format of that work.

The notes from the chapters should help you complete the What is Content assignment. I do NOT need chapter notes submitted as part of that work. That assignment has 3 distinct parts. I need to be able to tell the difference across each of the three parts. These can be separate documents, or separate headings. Your choice - I just need a design choice made so I can follow the structural choices (information architecture) to your work (text).

[jaygold974]

Thursday Check-in

What questions about writing skill development do you have?

With all the drafting we have been doing im just wondering how a writer can decide when a draft is good enough.

@npfannen

[npfannen]

It depends on the audience.......but at some point we all have to be brave and submit/send it out. Whether that is send it to publisher for review, send it on social media to be seen. Writing is a lot of trial and error - it will never feel finished. Make the brave choice, share it!

[gavinboland]

what questions do you have about web writing that will help you after you finish this course?

As I wrap up this course, one of my biggest questions about web writing is how to balance clarity with personality. I’m confident writing clearly, but I want to keep developing a voice that feels human without losing usability. I’m also curious about how professional writers adapt tone across platforms, blogs, landing pages, and social media, while staying consistent. Finally, I want to better understand how much to prioritize SEO versus reader experience. Knowing how these decisions play out in real workplaces will help me apply what I’ve learned beyond the classroom. @npfannen

[npfannen]

Most of this will be specific to the discourse community. What balance of tone and personality is necessary for that content, in that space, for that audience, right now?

The more you read, the better you will write. You'll learn balance by practicing writing AND reading writing.

Always prioritize the people - SEO will likely be heavily impacted by genAI, ad and sponsored deals will change over time. If you consistently prioritize the reader you'll be situated to navigate those fluctuations.