Communicating with Cantu

Blog Comment Etiquette 

1.      Share comments that make sense to others.Give the extra effort needed to communicate your thoughts. Move beyond time-waster comments like “cool”, “I agree with you” or “you rock!” It leaves the impression that you are simple-minded and cannot think for yourself. In addition, other people will not respond to your thoughts if they cannot understand your point. Stop and think about what you want to say. Use good grammar and check your spelling. Keep in mind that others cannot see your face or hear your voice, and therefore, the risk of misunderstanding increases. 

2.  Keep your comments to a reasonable length.You can usually share what you want to say in a paragraph or two. Often, someone else may have said the same thing you wanted to say, so be cautious about repetition. 

3.      Identify your sources.When using material from other authors, provide a link and/or reference. This gives the author recognition and gives the reader an opportunity to read in more detail, if desired. 

4.      Stay focused on the topic.The temptation to run off in a tangent will always be there. However, out of respect for the blog author, stay focused on the topic presented. If you feel it is necessary to move to another topic, ask the blog author for permission to move in another direction. 

5.      Remember your comments are a reflection of you.You never know who is going to read your comment. It could be a parent, an employer, or someone in authority over you. It can be a friend…or an enemy. Keep in mind that you should not write something that you would never say to a person face-to-face. 

6.      Recognize that opinions are subjective.The truth is, you will disagree with others and others will disagree with you. No one has a perfect understanding on any given topic. It is okay to express opinions, but when responding to a topic on which you disagree, focus your disagreement on the topic and not on the person writing the opposing viewpoint.  

7.      Remember the “Golden Rule”.

What you say will impact other people. It can also come back to impact you. Therefore, choose to live by “do unto others as you would have them do to you” rule. Focus your attention on helping other people understand the topic. Approach a discussion as an opportunity to learn from others. Give others the benefit of the doubt when reading comments.

Taken from MAISD Tech. Integration Series, 2008.