• Start with a greeting and/or the person’s name
• Be positive, interested, and encouraging.
• If you disagree, be polite about it.
• Be on topic – connect with something in the post*** (see examples below digital footprint)
• Aim for correct spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Use a polite, conversational tone.
  • No texting language like “lol”
  • No “Hi! Visit my blog! Bye!” comments.
• End with a question that will help to keep the conversation going.
• Re-read your comment before you hit ‘submit’
• Keep your privacy: no personal or identifying information about you, your family, or your friends. Don’t give out last names, school name, phone numbers, user names, or places and dates you can be found.
• Remember, anyone in the whole world can read your posts and comments. Once it’s there it’s there forever,  part of your digital footprint.

 

 

***Examples of HOW to comment:

• Compliment the writer in a specific way eg. Hi Ben, you’ve described your cat so well I could see her clearly in my mind!
  
• Refer back to the content of the post eg. I didn’t know Manx cats don’t have tails.
• Add new information eg.  Did you know that Sphinx cats don’t have hair?
  
• Make a connection. Maybe the post reminds you of something you’ve done or heard or have. Share that connection! eg. Our dog lost his tail in a car accident but it didn’t seem to bother him much.
• Try to end your comment with a relevant question so that an interesting conversation can develop. eg. Do you think cats and dogs without tails have more trouble keeping flies away or showing emotion?

 

 

Guidelines adapted from: http://huzzah.edublogs.org/commenting-guidelines/ and http://mcnallymumblings.edublogs.org/student-blog-guidelines/ with thanks