How to write a
good forum post
How the forums work

You will read the question/topic

You will write a response and post your ideas
 More

ideas to come about this
You will reply to 2-3 (or more) other classmates
 Minimum

of 2-3 sentences
This is basically and online discussion
Posting expectations/reminders

Be kind and professional when replying and use
complete sentences.

Finish responses with questions to keep the
conversation going.

Write the paragraph in the proper format

Remember the rules of your AUP as they apply
here
Set up of a forum post

See Moodle for example
Sample response for Intro forum
post
My name is Mrs. Bartley and there are many different things
to know about me. First, I use technology every day. I use
it to take attendance, create projects, check assignments,
and to learn about what is going on in the world.
Secondly, I really like to read, which might not be surprising
as I am also an ELA teacher. Finally, I like to bake sweet
treats. I love anything with chocolate like cake, cookies,
and candy. I am a busy person but when I get time I like to
relax with a good book or make a yummy treat.
Rubric

See Word Doc

We will break down the rubric in the remaining
slides
5-7 quality sentences



5-7

Need at least 5 but may go longer if needed.

You can even go more than 7 sentences if you need to in
order to fully explain your idea
Quality

Not short and choppy.

Have compound/complex sentences (combine ideas)
Example:

I like cake. Cake is good. Cake is sweet. Cake is chocolaty.

I like cake because it tastes sweet and chocolaty which
makes it so good to eat.
Topic sentence

1 sentence that tells me what the paragraph will be about.

You can usually echo part of the question in your response.

It needs to be broad enough to cover everything you will
discuss in the paragraph.

If you make it too narrow, your paragraph will be off topic.

My name is Mrs. Bartley and there are many different things to
know about me.

Too narrow: My name is Mrs. Bartley and I use technology in a
lot of different ways.

Doesn’t include the idea that I will discuss reading and
baking.
Supporting details

Be sure to clearly answer all questions asked.

Give examples and explanations to support
yourself.
Concluding statement

One sentence that wraps up your ideas.

It sometimes echoes your topic sentence. It can
also sum up your ideas almost like a mini
summary.

I am a busy person but when I get time I like to
relax with a good book or make a yummy treat.
Questions answered

Did you clearly answer all the questions?

Did you explain your ideas?

Ties in with supporting details
Grammar/Mechanics

Correct spelling, grammar, capitalization,
punctuation, etc.

Common mistakes:
 Capitalizing
“I”
 Capitalizing
the start of sentences
 Check
spelling
 Using
punctuation
 Clear
ideas