A Thing: The 4th One. (Communication.)

Ever been in a situation that you felt uncomfortable or uncertain in, just because you weren't entirely sure what was happening?  You have, haven't you?  And it's not a good feeling, is it?  Yeah,  I didn't think so, either.  However, you, me, and everyone else who agrees are all in luck, because there is one tool that will remedy those uncomfortable, uncertain situations just as long as you put it to use!  (Communication.)

Let's talk about communication on the internet--specifically in the blogosphere.  On the web, communicating generally occurs in the form of what surfers (of the net, not the sea) call "commenting". For those of you who are intimidated by the concept of commenting:  Don't be.  It's just like talking to someone, in person!  You just get the bonus of unassumed proper grammer and a typing-muscles workout.

If you still haven't warmed up to the concept of commenting, let's think for a second about why it's important.  In the blogosphere, you're going to be dealing with a bunch of writers, and as the Blue Skunk Blog says, "Writers like knowing that they have been read."  Commenting is your way of letting bloggers know you've been reading!  It's just as important as communicating in person is!  Let's talk metaphors.  Analogies, maybe.  Commenting is to the Internet as replying is to real, in-person life.  If someone spoke to you, and you listened to what they said, but instead of replying, you just stared blankly at them, how do you think that'd make them feel?  How would you feel if someone did that to you?  Reading a blog post and not commenting is the equivalent of that blank stare!  Don't be a blank-starer--comment!  

On a quest to eradicate internet-equivalent blank-staring (and to complete my assignment), I went on a commenting spree through five blogs of other students at my school, and two blogs outside of our community.  To give you an idea of what makes and makes for good commenting here is a list of who I chose to comment on, and why:

1. Tori Hickman's 23 Things:  I commented on Tori's post because I saw that she'd supported me by commenting on a post of mine, and wanted to do her the same courtesy!  Returning the favor of commenting is kind of like a way of saying "Thank you for listening!  I'm listening, too!" or maybe giving someone an e-fistbump.  
2. Rand's 3040 Reflections:  I left Brionna a comment because I wanted to encourage her.  Her post voiced her anxieties surrounding creating and maintaining a blog, and I wanted to send her a comment that would assist in motivating her to stick with it!  I wanted to send her a virtual pat on the back of sorts.  
3. Maultbay's Blog:  I was immediately drawn to Brittany's blog because I know her, personally.  I left her the comment because I liked a point she had brought up in her post, and wanted to let her know.  I figured she deserved a quick "I agree!", and wanted to give that to her!
4. Moran's Blog:  I decided to leave Saifir a comment because her blog title caught my eye.  It was like a glint in the sifter!  It included a pun (I am a sucker for puns, by the way), and I was compelled to read the post following it, because of it!  The next natural step was to comment!  I might compare to a gold star, internet edition.  
5. Teaching's a Journey:  I commented Kaila to give her a criticism sandwich!  I found an aspect of her post which I wanted to give positive feedback on, and an aspect which I had a suggestion for.  It's important to give constructive criticism, if you think of it.  It's just the web's version of "realtalk"!
6. Dane's Education Blog:  I stumbled upon Dane's blog and was so impressed by it, that I simply felt compelled to leave a general positive comment expressing my approval of the blog!  It was just my pixel-y way of saying "Great job!".
7. First-Year Teacher:  I discovered Maggie's blog through one of my peer's, read through several posts, and almost-immediately wished to express to the author that I was looking forward to hearing more from her.  I wrote up a comment telling her so, just to send her a figurative thumbs-up.

All of these blogs drew me in, in one way or another, and somehow coaxed a comment from my powered-by-Blogger "mouth", but not just everyone that's floating around out in the blogosphere is going to be as eager to comment as me!  You might want to consider some tactics to improve the communication between yourself (if you choose to blog) and your readers!  Try reading this article by Darren Rowse, if you want to learn about some techniques that can help you tempt your readers to get talkative!  Remember:  Communication is key--so is commentication!