Welcome to ENGL 4814: Writing for the Web. This website will function as the online headquarters for our class this semester. Each week, I will post an update to the website with details about coming week, deadline reminders, links to helpful resources, etc… I plan to use Virginia Tech’s Scholar site to record your grades, but otherwise, everything related to this course will be posted here. And given that this class is about writing for the web, it seems appropriate that you should help me build this website as the semester progresses. (We’ll talk more about that goal soon.)
A bit about me: This is my first semester at Virginia Tech, and I couldn’t be happier to be here. My research focuses on how people use rhetoric in online environments, and all of the classes I teach have something to do with technology. I have been building websites since 1999, and I do some web consulting for small businesses and nonprofit groups that need help getting (or getting up to date) online. When I’m not staring at a computer screen, I love to cook, read, and spend time with my wife, a brilliant freelance writer, and our two daughters.
After I gather your input in class on Tuesday, I will finalize the syllabus and add it to the website before our next class. In the meantime, please complete the following tasks before you come to class on Thursday:
- Read pages 1–60 in the HTML & CSS book, and come to class with any questions you have about the reading.
- Create a Twitter account, if you don’t have one already. (We’ll talk about using Twitter in the coming weeks, but for now, you just need to create an account, add a photo, and customize your profile.)
- Create a Dropbox account, if you don’t have one already. (Again, we’ll talk about how to use Dropbox effectively as the semester progresses.)
- Bring an electronic copy of your current résumé to class on Thursday.
Finally, a quick note about this website. Throughout the semester, we’ll be holding class discussions on this website. To help you get comfortable with that process, please add a comment to this post that introduces yourself, links to your Twitter profile, and answers the following question: What is one specific thing you want to learn to do in ENGL 4814? Before you post, a couple of warnings: (1) Your classmates will see what you write, so don’t include anything intended just for me. (2) This website is public, so we will stick to using first names only. Also, please be sure to use the same email address every time you post to the class website. Once I “approve” your first comment on the site, you will be able to post comments for the rest of the semester without waiting for me to approve them.
Hey, I am David Kistler; a senior in professional writing. I call Hickory, North Carolina home, but Blacksburg is my favorite place by far. I would like to become efficient using more mark-up languages and would like to have more coding skills.
First and foremost – my twitter is @Juliane_I_Am. Hooray for having a reason to use it!
My name is Juliane and I am a *super* professional writing senior. I hail from Manassas, which is by the DC area. Or, better known down here in Blacksburg, “NOVA”. I love Tech, and honestly can’t believe I tried to go to another school first.
To be honest, I think the biggest thing I’d like to learn is some general knowledge about web writing. I’m coming into this class with a clean slate, so I look forward to leaving with a real grasp on the subject. My goal is to go into magazine editing so this class is more than likely going to help me achieve that.
My name is Anne and I am a senior Professional Writing and Political Science double major. Oh, and my twitter is @annerochele13.
I am originally from the Northern Virginia area but I pretty much call Blacksburg my home now. I am looking forward to learning about web writing in general. I feel like being able to design web pages is a very desirable skill to have today.
My name is Rachel, and I am currently a junior, electronic print and journalism major, with a minor in professional writing. My twitter name is @rsaenzVT.
One thing that I would like to accomplish by the end of the semester is to be able to completely build a website from scratch. I wish to go into the broadcast field and having a personal website is becoming the standard within the industry.
Whats up everyone. You can find me on twitter @DJGingerSnaps14.
My name is Keith and I’m from Fluvanna County, VA (some people are more familiar with the town of Palmyra; it’s about 15 minutes south of Charlottesville). I’m a senior in professional writing but I will be pursuing a career in medicine upon graduation.
In terms of this course, I feel that I will be starting completely blank. Although, I look forward to building on my previous knowledge of the web and learning a lot of new things that I can use in the future.
Hi, I’m Kyle. I’m a senior Professional Writing major from Richmond. I’m graduating in December and looking for a career in web design or editing.
From this class, I hope to learn how to use HTML much more proficiently, which will help me look for a web design career.
Hello, I’m Kayla. I’m from Northern Virginia, like many other students. I’m a senior in professional writing. I hope to learn more about website building, especially integrating more interactive elements into pages and creating more dynamic pages.
Hi class, I’m Tony. My twitter handle is @TonyBagsliaro so follow me because I will post hilarious and/or insightful stuff all the time.
I’m from Rockville which is about 15 miles north of DC in Montgomery County, Maryland. Growing up with parents who were both Federal Government employees has left me with complicated feelings about the DC area and government in general which may escape my mouth at times, but it is a very nice area nonetheless. But it’s got nothing on Blacksburg obviously.
In this course I hope to learn how to design a webpage that looks good enough to POP and draw people to it, and is also user-friendly in functionality.
Hi guys, I’m Ethan. I am a fifth year in professional writing. I don’t know much about html or css, so I’m looking foward to gaining some knowledge through this class. My twitter is @bordshorts2work.
Hi my name is Brittany. I am a senior studying English with a focus in professional writing and pre education. I want to learn how to use a drop box account and blogs. My twitter is @britpb6.
Hi everyone I’m Maddie. I’m a lit/lang/culture and professional writing major.
I took introduction to the internet last semester, but clearly after taking the “quiz” last class I realize I remember very little except some of the more obvious HTML tags. During this semester I want to learn how to create and manage a website, and also how to use twitter in a more productive way!
woops forgot my twitter, it’s @MadelineB13
Hey everybody, I’m Mary Kate — senior (sadly) professional writing major. Graduating scares me because it means I have to figure out what I want to do with my life. I’ve always been really into technology and I embrace our generation’s obsession and dependency on it, so I’m pretty excited for this class. I’m intrigued by the magical world that is the internet and feel like a general knowledge and skill for web building will come in handy in the intimidating world that is “post grad”.
oops — forgot my twitter: @Mary_Kate_G
Hi, I’m Samantha. I’m a junior professional writing major. I’m looking forward to this class, because all of my friends are into making websites and building computers, and I’ll finally be able to understand what they’re talking about! My Twitter username is @elodealeaf.
twitter handle is @dkistler1
Hey, so my name is Shelby Ward. I’m a super duper senior, majoring in English and minoring in 21st Century Studies.
You can follow me on Twitter @sheliseward. I’m already addicted to Twitter. Those of you are new to it, let me tell you the addiction doesn’t come all at once. It comes slowly, and then all of a sudden you’re thinking in 120 characters before you realize it.
I am disgrace to my generation when it comes to technology. But in this class I am really looking forward to challenging myself, and learning new and valuable skills that will make me more marketable in the “real” world.
Hi, I’m Jessica. I am a senior English major on the pre-education track. I would like to learn how to build websites from the ground up and learn to convert files to html. You can find me on Twitter at @JessicaPittman3