BLOG OR ESSAY?
Structure, Freedom, and the Joy of Going Nuts
Blogs wander. Essays march. For individuals in Maryland and DC, this reflection explores how blogs and essays differ in purpose, structure, and emotional tone—and why both have a place in the writer’s toolkit.
Are these two things the same?
A blog is short for “weblog,” which sounds unique to the computer and the World Wide Web. A blog is a written piece intended for distribution through the computer onto the Web. An essay is also a written piece intended to communicate something of substance. Essays are often a part of early writing education, helping the student understand logical structure and use structure to communicate a serious purpose.
Now let me ask this again: Are these two things the same?
The blog has no particular purpose or structure. It could be a written item or a string of pictures, as long as some words accompany it. Its unique characteristic is its intent to distribute. Now that sounds dangerous, but I mean that the blog is designed to be posted on the Web. The essay appears to have a clear intent to communicate in writing. The essay must have a topic sentence, a supporting narrative, and a conclusion. Essays also come in particular structures or intents. They can be narrative, descriptive, expository, argumentative, persuasive, or informational. Wow! Lots of choices!
Essays also have a process of development that is specifically taught. The essay requires five steps: planning, drafting, revising, editing, and proofreading. Essay writing sounds quite purposeful.
As you will recognize from my past and this blog, blogging has no specific structure. I can roam anywhere, take any time I want, and land somewhere without connection to my beginning. In other words, bloggers can go nuts! Furthermore, the blog does not have to have any intent other than smashing a bunch of words together. A blog can be a real mash-up as the blogger goes nuts.
Speaking of nuts, do you have a favorite nut? If I had to choose just one, I actually prefer the mixed nut can, but if I had to choose just one, it would be the cashew. My husband, on the other hand, goes nuts for pistachios. Now, I don’t like my nuts to be green, as that makes me think they are tainted or infected with something. And those shells are sharp. He once thought of collecting a bunch of them to throw into the garden, so that the sharp edges on the shells would cut the bunnies’ feet and send them racing from the garden. You guessed it. It did not work, and that saved me from ordering a container full of cashew shells. You can do that! Who knew?
See. A blog can go anywhere.
Want to explore how blogs and essays differ in structure and creative freedom? Visit Influno’s guide to blog vs essay writing, AskAnyDifference’s comparison of blog and essay, and EssayJob’s breakdown of essays vs creative writing.
If you’re reflecting on writing style, creative expression, or communication skills, therapy can help. Learn more about individual therapy in Maryland and DC or explore therapeutic approaches that support insight, creativity, and voice.
By Dr. Gloria K Vanderhorst