Joycelyn Ong Shee Hui
(47120)
I have chosen two blogs that I like. The first blog that
I have chosen is Jane Austen World, link : https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com/
I chose the first blog because it features one of my all -time favourite
author, Jane Austen. I have read all her books, in which Pride and Prejudice is
my favourite. The blog is comprehensive in
terms of its contents.
I especially like the fact that the author tries to
introduce as many historical background about Jane Austen and her novels to her
readers. As shown in the blog, the author is a well -read person and obviously
passionate about what she is blogging. She carefully and creatively chooses her
words and images while relaying narratives and her own personal experiences. She
establishes herself as a Jane Austen fan that wants to continue the author’s
legacy in the online world.
One
of the most prominent features of the blog is the design and layout of the blog
that gives out a vintage and elegant vibe which accurately reflects the Regency
Period (The timeline and setting of Jane Austen’s time). Not only that, it is
easy to read the blog and readers can choose from several tags and options such
as podcasts and teacher and student resources. Furthermore, it is a great
source for literature study purpose for new readers of Jane Austen as well as
for her hard core fans like me.
For the second blog, I accidentally discovered about The
Gallivant, link http://www.thegallivant.net/ while I was researching for my FYP topic,
parasocial relationship. The author posted a blog post on that topic and I
clicked into the link. It is totally different from the first blog in which it
centres on real life experiences of a 20 –something (considered young) wife of
a Navy as she travels with her husband. This blog promises you a feel good
factor as you read through the vivid description of the travels of the author
as well as the sharing of her perspectives about lifestyle and any other
things.
I think the author is a nature and travelling addict (in
a positive way). She takes good pictures and is willing to share her
experiences with her readers. She is also candid in her writings, I enjoyed her
post about parasocial relationships, in which she described her favourite television
characters as her best friends. Not only that, I see her as a resourceful and
creative person as she uses her passion and talent in writing to also do some
freelance jobs through this blog. In the blog, she shares links of her social
media account and welcome the readers to contact her for any job opportunities.
One
of the most prominent features of this blog is how beautiful everything is
arranged. From the blog posts to the images, tags, options, buttons, everything
just fits in so well. It really attracts me how balanced the blog is structured
to sharing personal stories as well as to promote the author as a freelance
author and editor, which I think is very cool because that is my dream job !
I have chosen one blog that I dislike, Crappy Taxidermy,
link: http://crappytaxidermy.com/ . The
content of the blog just turns me off because it displays animals in a not so
proper, or perhaps not ethical way. Though taxidermy originally aims for
academic purpose, but the content of blog is more of sarcasm and for pleasure
alone. I find it ridiculous because the
blog is already 7 years old, and it means that there is a huge following and
reader base. Maybe it is just me, but I cannot see the significance or meaning
of displaying animals in such a manner. You can even request for a certain
animal to be displayed by writing to the admin or author of the blog.
I think the author is either too passionate in Biology or
animals or he or she is just on the weird spectrum. To be fair, the admin is also
dedicated to update the blog posts regularly but I am sorry to say, the blog is
not really my cup of tea.
The most prominent feature of the blog would be the
content of the blog itself, with its visual shocking images. Somehow we are
living in an era where bizarre stuffs are made viral to a point it becomes part
of “news”.
In conclusion, there are many blogs out there that awaits
our exploration. It really depends on one’s personal preference and interest.
But to me, a good blog must possess good write ups and beautiful images. It
must be engaging and relatable to leave a deep impression in the heart of the
readers.
Thank you Joycelyn. I do agree with you that a good blog must possess good write ups and beautiful images. That is what attracts me the most. I think the blog that I like shall not consist too many words and should be filled with more images. Besides that, the blog should be described using simple terms and no deep vocabularies. This is very important because I feel enjoy when I can skim all the texts without the needs to search for the meanings. Lastly, I like blog that is designed simple and not over crowded.
ReplyDeleteHi Esther and thanks for your feedback. I agree that a picture paints a thousand words and simple terms are important to engage the readers. Hence, I think for every blogger, they must know their target audience to set the tone of the whole blog.
DeleteSimplicity is indeed elegance. =)
Thank you Joyce for your sharing. It is great to know more about some fascinated blog that deserve to have a look while in another side, there will also have some blog that give uncomfortable feeling to people.
ReplyDeleteSame with you, i also like to see some blog that post with meaningful word and images and it give me some refreshment and always relate with my emotions. Besides, i also like simple design because that is good to see, if a blog fulled with only word and have many design in it i will choose to look on others instead of continue reading.
Hi Jia Chi, thank you for replying. Yes, the Internet is one of the biggest information centre we could ever imagine. There are so many blogs in the Internet that we could never know.
DeleteI believe it boils down to one's preferences and interest while reading and choosing the blogs they want to view.
Hi, Joyce
ReplyDeleteThe basic characteristic of good blog is interesting. I will follow the blog when the information of the logs is something special and its have its own specialty. Different bloggers have different style to deliver their messages in their blogs. I am also concern about the blogs need to update the blog consistently. It shows the efforts of bloggers for organize the blog wisely. There are the main thing I concern about to attract my attention in long term.
Hi Jessie, thanks for your feedback. I agree with you about the concern to update the blog consistently. As what our lecturer mentioned, if it is not updated consistently, it is not really a blog anymore. This is to fulfill the expectations of the readers and viewers.
DeleteI believe to attract a high viewership of blogs, one need to have a theme that everyone can relate to. It must be creative, valid and engaging.
Dear Joyce, thank you for sharing about such cool and amazing blog (Jane Austen World and The Gallivant). For me, blog is an another platform for people to learn and to experience a different world. Today, social media is overwhelmed with fake news and information. Therefore, a blog with good quality content and writing drives me to read and engage to the blog.
ReplyDeleteWith the given opportunity, I would like to share a Malaysian blog that I found that it is interesting and inspiring. Sue Lynn, one of the most experienced Malaysian blogger. Her blog includes food, travel and fashion. Please feel free to pay a visit, I believe that everyone can related to the colorful lifestyle topics on her blog. Link: http://www.bangsarbabe.com/
Thank you.
Dear Sok Fern, thanks for your feedback. Thanks for sharing about the Malaysian blogger, Sue Lynn. Indeed, food, travel and fashion are three main topics that people love to explore and learn. I will definitely browse through your recommendation soon and let you know what I think ! =)
DeleteThanks Joyce, remember the very first time I read about Pride and Prejudice. I found the book in an abandoned box while my neighbor moved. I felt magical and always craved books from books. Back to the day we don't even know what is blog, we can only learn in the ocean of books in library. Now, many blogs enable people to know more about those classic literature. I do appreciate that but still concern about one single thing. What if less and less people care about those words and emotion? What if technology eventually beat words? I hope we can always worship those amazing classic even it is not from blogs but in the texture of paper smells like memories.
ReplyDeleteHi Winnie, finally someone who actually shared my passion towards classics ! I have and will always have a soft spot for classics because they first sparked something inside of me to love reading and writing.
DeleteI am definitely a more paper person when it comes to books as well. Though it seem that technology is leading for time being, I believe words and emotions are eventually what humans really crave. They feed our souls and light up our lives.
Hai joyce. Perkongsian yang sangat menarik. Saya tidak pernah melayari mana-mana blog sebelum ini kerana tidak beberapa yakin akan apa yang ditulis. Namun, selepas membaca pengkongsian anda buat saya rasa perlu mengikuti beberapa blog. Thank you joyce
ReplyDeleteHi Amirah, thanks you for your response.
DeleteDo share with us after you explore several blogs. Thank you once again =)
Hai Joycelyn. Thank you for your sharing. Sejujurnya saya jarang melayari blog sepanjang kehidupan saya. I dont know why. Maybe it is because of my personality, yang hanya suka melihat benda formal, contohnya SIARAN BERITA... hahahaha.. Seingat saya, saya hanya pernah melayari blog peguam sahaja, itupun pun kerana saya ingin mendapatkan beberapa informasi mengenai perbicaraan di mahkamah. Kalau saya nak tengok benda-benda yang lain, saya jarang ke blog.. Tapi apa yang saya tahu, decoration/font is very important to attract people to read the blog. Hal ini demikian kerana, blog menjadi pengganti kepada buku pada zaman sekarang, manusia lebih suka membaca blog berbanding buku.. Almaklumlah, zaman teknologi, zaman abad ke 21.. Hehehee.. It is only my opinion, jangan marah saya yea.. hehehe
ReplyDeleteHI Aini, thank you for your honesty hehe. Yes I agree with you that decoration and font are important to attract people to read and continue to read the blog. First impression does matter. It is sad that books and blogs have become some sort of a rival as you discussed earlier.
DeleteI love both but books remain my first love. =)
Hi Joyce,
ReplyDeleteReally nice and glad to know about this blog. I'm not the person always seeing the post from other bloggers. (honest statement). But, before this since i'm form three students only several blogs i will follow. Not remember for nowadays. (short memory). I like to mentioned and share the quotes for describing the blog review from Jane Austen says that "I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! ..when I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library". In short, i will just look and interested for blog that have kind of real life experiences, about travel, something like backpackers, it's quite good imaginary mind for me how to go thru more read about their blog. colourful and powerful images also give me more impression when i see the particular blogs. So, hopes that the meanings of "read" what you see and "look" what you do in this life can related for the bloggers. Read and read is really interesting. I'm prefer to read the book rather than blogs for several blog only i will see nowadays. That's all. Thank you!
Hi Ruzimah, thank you for your reply. Thanks for sharing a quote by Jane Austen. I guess both of us are both the paper type. I appreciate your honesty and views on books and blogs. Both blogs and books should be explored in great depth.
ReplyDeleteThank you joyce for sharing your blogs. The ability to think clearly and generate ideas is one of life’s most critical skills, yet one of the things you don’t get taught in school.
ReplyDeleteI write blogs for many reasons and here's one: Blogging fills that void, helping me grow my thinking muscles exponentially. I've learnt to reflect deeply on my life, the society; engage with others intellectually, appreciate the strengths in arguments and point out the flaws in them; appreciate the tiny distinctions between what, why and how; the nexus and disparity between excuses and justifications, and so on.