The document provides 8 rules for writing good forum entries: 1) Respect other users and focus on arguments, not people. 2) Quote specific parts being discussed. 3) Include links, images and videos. 4) Use spacing to separate ideas. 5) Use paragraphs to separate each idea. 6) Provide logical and sound arguments with facts. 7) Use a casual and conversational tone. 8) Check for spelling and grammar errors. It then provides examples and explanations for each rule.

1. HOW TO WRITE A GOOD
FORUM ENTRY

2. INTERNET FORUM -new form of communication
-its own set of RULES.
1: RESPECT: NEVER ATTACK THE PERSON, focus on the argument.
2: QUOTES for precision.
3: LINKS, images, videos for variety.
4: SPACING for clarity.
5: SHORT PARAGRAPHS.
6: LOGICAL, sound argument.
7: CASUAL, conversational tone.
8: CHECK! For correct SPELLING and GRAMMAR
Match them to the following paragraphs.

3. • In casual conversations (spoken or written), direct
address and use of "you” is common and reasonable.
However, be very careful: very often posters don’t
realise they can be interpreted as showing
contempt for other posters’ opinions.
Example 1: -wrong: "You just don't get it, do you?"
-right: "You got it all wrong, I’m afraid. I mean..."
So always be careful to avoid in any way attacking the other posters
or their character. If the poster is wrong, then prove them wrong by
attacking their argument with good counterarguments. Just that.
RULE: 1. RESPECT

4. • When someone makes a point worth responding to, either to agree
or disagree with it, quote only the specific part of the post to which
you are responding.
Example: If I read this post:
Example 2
Roses are orange.
Violets are green.
and I just want to claim that roses are actually red, I would quote
only the part about roses:
Originally Posted by Example 2
Roses are orange.
Well, actually, in my experience roses are red.
RULE: 2. QUOTES

5. RULE:
• Curiosity and desire to break up the
monotony of reading a text will make
people happy to click on links, look at
pictures, and watch videos.
3. LINKS

6. • Put spaces between each paragraph, your
writing will be easier to read.
Use double spaces between paragraphs to
signal a new, but related topic.
Use triple spaces or larger to denote any
large shift in focus.
RULE: 4. SPACING

7. • Each idea within a topic should have
its own paragraph. Another idea
which supports a topic should start a
new paragraph.
RULE: 5. PARAGRAPHS

8. • Do your best to support your argumentation.
Proving a point adequately is not easy. But
basically, try to present the relevant
evidence, better in the form of facts, figures,
and outside sources.
RULE: 6. SOUND ARGUMENT

9. • contractions
• personal pronouns
(though remember to be respectful when addressing others directly)
• parentheses
• idioms, clichés
• banter and light sarcasm (if subtle and respectful enough)
• clearly intentional misspellings and dialect
• bold text and italics to signify a tone of voice
-bold text implies strong, serious statements
-italics are an emphasizing stress on a particular word or phrase.
RULE: 7. CASUAL TONE

10. • Written errors are always a problem.
Misspellings and incorrect grammar are annoying to the reader.
A single misplaced letter may impair communication.
There is no good excuse for misspelling words
RULE: 8. CHECK

11. DOS
• Language reflects daily
conversation
• Reasons & examples
• Opinions
• Personal anecdote
• Suggestions, advice
• Rhetorical question inviting
response
DONTS
• No argumentative linkers
• No formal language