The Presentations

Showtime happens when the blogger clicks the “post” button. Or perhaps the first time someone clicks on your blog. Everyone in the class is getting at least one click when they present their blogs to the group.

Many of the blogs document very local issues and cultures which don’t make it onto national TV or into the national press. Several journalist bloggers a using her blog to document the steps they take in creating a news story, giving readers the inside story, especially discussing problems getting information for a story. One of the reporter’s blogs is called “Looking for Trouble.” Here are a few of the other blogs that caught my interest:

· “I witnessed What Happened” posts unconventional stories and pictures, including a picture of a man riding a camel trying to get into a bread queue.

· “Laugh” chronicles the adventure of a woman making a first post. She wants to discuss local stories from a humorous or satirical approach.

· “The Southern” is a blog chronicling a theater troop as they travel around the region including schedules and reactions to the shows.

· “The Grandchildren of Abdul Rahim al-Qenawi” refers to the citizens of Qena. The blog talks about history and has a poll asking “would you rather live in the Capital or Upper Egypt?”

· “Egypt in Other’s Eyes” discusses Egyptian ethics, morality and civilization.

· “Mouda” chronicles the stories of people who meet on breadlines and form friendships.

· “The Land of Pottery” talks about the pottery industry in a local community.

· “BS” (I don’t understand the reference, but that’s the title.) is a blog for herbalists and people who use natural medicines.

· “Feather in the Wind” talks about opportunities for youth.

· “Cinderella’s Orchard” where poems grow, features a poet asking for comments on her writing.

· “I want to be a president” the blog of a young woman who wants to be president.
· “The Fans of Ahli” is a football blog.

· “The Diary of an Angry Husband” is self explanatory, except that the blogger is not married.

During the presentation bloggers got tips from the experts on how to make their blogs more attractive. Tarek Atia stressed that a journalist blogger must not abandon his or her journalists’ instincts and training when posting. Many of the trainer’s comments were aimed at improving the bloggers’ focus. The bloggers also got tips on blogging etiquette for their blogs.