In order to keep our exchanges respectful and scholarly, please read and observe the guidelines below:

Keep it civil. Say please and thank you, and avoid typing in all caps ("yelling"). Focus on ideas, not people. No personal attacks or name-calling of any kind.
Keep it scholarly. Remember, this is academic writing. Statements and conclusions should be supported by citations or evidence. Check your spelling and grammar. Avoid sarcasm and irony, because these depend heavily on non-verbal cues (e.g., tone of voice, gestures, facial expressions) and are easily misunderstood. Please do not use profanity or other language that does not belong in academic writing.
Keep it relevant. Please stay on topic. Read what others have said before posting so you aren't being repetitive. If you want to refer back to an earlier posting, provide a short quote (no more than a few lines; use quotation marks and cite the author) so we don't have to spend a bunch of time searching the previous postings.
Keep it brief. Focus your thoughts, and figure out what you want to say before you start typing. Make your point, provide supporting information or details, and explain any implications. If someone asks you to say more or explain a bit further, do so kindly.
Keep it "real." Sometimes people will say things online they would never say in person because the greater social distance allows us to feel less accountable for our words. Before posting, consider whether you would say the same thing in a classroom, with all of the same people in the room together. If you wouldn't say it there, please don't say it here.