Learning by Doing: Making Personal Rules

Using brainstorming or mapping, develop the list of rules only you know that you need—rules to bring out your best as an online student or writer. For example, do you need a personal “rule” about checking for your USB drive, card, or portable hard drive after every computer session on campus so you don’t lose your work? Or do you need a “rule” about backing up files? List your rules in an e-mail message to yourself. Then sum up the most important points, using your software’s word count tool to limit this statement to the 140 characters allowed by Twitter for a “tweet.” If you wish, also note your “rules” in your cell phone notepad for quick reference along with your online course PIN number, if needed. Return to standard English—correct grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and complete words, not abbreviations—for material submitted to your instructor.