Faculty Resources - English:

Conventions for Student Posts

Dear Class Members,

Part of your grade in my class is determined by both the number and quality of your online contributions. I encourage you to post often and enthusiastically. However, as part of our class conventions for decorum, you need to use the following formulas:

For agreement: "Bobby/Sue/Mary/Joe/etc. says_________________. I agree with him/her/them and further think/argue__________________________."

For disagreement: "I see your point that _______________________, but I believe/argue/think that ____________________________________."

You don't have to be this exact in use of language, but you did need to state the other person's position/argument, as you understand it, before stating your own. This tactic will both allow the person to correct you if you've misunderstood his/her point and ensure that our online conversations remain civil.