by Hallie Rybka

Participatory media is great… when it isn’t sloppy. Each generation is becoming increasingly comfortable with blogging, creating videos, and other forms of participatory media. Seeing as how the average blogger does not take the same precautions as a professional journalist, the article “How a Blogger can become a Good Journalist” offers some advice to this new tech savvy generation.

When someone wants news, they want it fast and they want it right. The point needs to be made quickly and with strong focus to “respect the value of people’s time.” If Lohan is back in rehab, each blog doesn’t need to explain her life troubles and why she resorts to drugs and alcohol so often. Present the reader with the scoop and make them want to come back for updates! Too much detail no longer supports the topic, it causes confusion. So stay focused.

“Appeal is emotional, not intellectual.” Readers want to be engaged. Make them feel the text emotionally. We have enough to worry about with the left brain already. And to go along with that, a blog should be clear to everyone. Jargon, clichés and stereotypes are not advised lingo. A blogger should write like a real person speaking to other normal people; emotional beings, not rocket scientists.

As for expressing opinions, I agree with the article. Go ahead, make your opinions, use your sources. But make sure the readers realize those are your opinions, not solid facts, so they know they could use your advice but still need to check up on the topic for more detail. And be skeptical of those sources you are quoting. They may be wrong, so double check the facts yourself before infesting the public.

This article presented great advice. Hopefully some of those babbling bloggers will take heed and clean up their comments so I don’t have to spend so long fishing through seas of nonsense.