Why Cite?

Citing is important because it establishes credibility and recognizes the original thoughts and research of other authors. Citations allow the reader to further investigate external sources and confirm the validity of the blog. Referencing sources is a vital part of encouraging conversation in writing and building discussion. It shows that the author can build upon the ideas of others.

Our group will use a modified version of the MLA format. Sources that can be publicly viewed online will be linked by keywords within the blog’s text. Citations, marked by superscripts and footnotes, will be included for sources that are in print or cannot be publicly accessed online. In order to make the citations more relevant and practical, we will not include the city of publication, date accessed, or medium of publication in the written citations. Photos citations will be listed at the bottom of the post and will only include a link to the original photo source.

Our readers, high school and college students, will be most familiar with the MLA format. They desire concise information that will quickly lead them to the source of information. Younger readers don’t find it necessary to know the city of publication, date accessed, or medium of publication because these items are not crucial in order to locate the source. We believe our version of the MLA format will be efficient and well-recognized by readers.

Meet the Challengers

Greetings, collegiate bloggers! We’re excited to share with you our research throughout the semester. You may not be an expert about the topics we will discuss, but we hope to take you on our journey as we also become more knowledgeable. We hope to spark your interest and encourage discussion about controversial issues. We are writing to those who share our interests and values. Our posts will be well researched, professional, and conversational. Each of us will publish independent posts on similar topics, but with different viewpoints.

We are a group of five young women enrolled in a collegiate English course at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Our goal is to create a collaborative blog regarding three specific topics: natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. As growing writers, we hope to achieve familiarity on new topics. Although we are all our own beings, we strive to weave our opinions and topics together to become one blog. As science majors, we tend to be well-researched and direct with information. We want to sound scholarly and professional while still connecting with our readers.

Becca Mitchell
I am a sophomore at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill studying Exercise and Sport Science, and I hope to pursue a career in physical therapy. In my free time, you can find me relaxing on the beach, exercising, or reading a good book. In my college career, I have taken a course in research writing which will help me to collect credible sources to use in my writing. As a new blogger, I hope to share the research that I find along with a few of my personal opinions. In the new age of technology, everything is fast-paced and efficient. Therefore, I will do my best to be as clear and concise as possible.

Andrea Stewart
I'm Andrea, and I'm a first-year student at UNC-Chapel Hill, not far from my home in Hillsborough, North Carolina. I am passionate about the environment and the outdoors, so I plan to pursue a career in environmental science and computer science. I appreciate sophisticated and thought-provoking writing, and I have taken several advanced language and literature courses. However, I believe sharing my ideas with you on this blog will be what truly expands my writing skills. Research papers have been my favorite type of writing, especially my reports on the American public educational system, renewable energy in Europe, and the role of DDT in developing countries to eliminate malaria, but I am looking forward to showcasing other styles of writing as well!

Laura James

I am Laura James from Raleigh, North Carolina, but I currently live in Chapel Hill, North Carolina where I attend the University of North Carolina. I am in love with (and maybe even a little addicted to) solving problems. I often feel as though I am surrounded by a world full of patterns and numbers. Therefore, it is not surprising that I plan to major in either chemistry or mathematics at UNC-CH. Although I am a science oriented person, I am confident that I will enjoy researching and sharing information on subjects other than science such as social science and humanities. Writing a blog will definitely be a new adventure for me, but I hope to grow as a writer throughout the entire process.


Taylor Cummins

My name is Taylor Cummins, and I am a freshman at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I came here to major in biology or chemistry and hopefully go on to medical school or dental school; I’ve always been a science orientated person. I have taken many classes throughout my educational career that have led me to combine science and another one of my loves: writing. I have taken advanced placement writing courses in conjunction with my natural ability as a writer to create my foundation as a blogger. I am not able to brag about my appearances within the blogging field, but hey, everyone has got to start somewhere. While my accomplishments might be a short list, I assure you that it is my duty to bring forth objective research twisted in with some subjective opinions to create a healthy and conversational blogging atmosphere.

Taylor Smith

Hey! My name is Taylor Smith. I was born and raised in Lexington, a small town in North Carolina. I was a former member of the tennis team, and participated in Spanish, Culinary, and National Honor Society club. I am now excited to start my new chapter in Chapel Hill, where I will attend UNC-Chapel Hill for my freshman year. I am planning to major in a health-science related field to continue my pursuit in helping others and to gain more knowledge in the science field. Even though I have taken advanced writing courses, I still feel as I am a developing writer. I am a growing blogger and will contribute my best research and opinions to better your knowledge.