posts to pages to chapters
-
I’m wanting to ‘translate’ a Ph.D in a format that people might actually be able and even inclined to read. Small-manageable-posts offer part of the solution –my question is whether I could then copy and paste them onto pages and collect them into chapters—to get around continuity problem for anyone interested enough to read it like that. I’ve read WP’s various FAQs on posts vs pages and books–what’s still not entirely clear to me is whether this double unfolding can all be managed on a wordpress.com blog. Sorry if this is a question with an obvious or readily available answer–cos if so can’t see it. yet another neophyte
The blog I need help with is: (visible only to logged in users)
-
You could just have a static page to index your posts.
If you want a more elegant (but a little confusing to set up) structure:
I’d suggest that you use Categories to group your posts into a a hierarchy for each chapter:
Chapters
—Section (dated January 1)
——Post (dated January 6)
——Post (dated January 5)
——Post (dated January 4)
etc.
Section (dated January 7)
and so on…
You could then add a static index page listing your chapters and sections.
You’ll have to play with the dates on posts to get them to read in chronological order. When a reader selects a chapter, (parent category) all the child categories (section), and grandchild categories (posts) will come up, with the most recent on top. So if you don’t want your posts in reverse chronologic order, then you’ll have to fudge the dates a little.I’d open a private test blog and use lorum ipsum to mock up how your posts will look and allow you to experiment. This will take a little planning.
So if you write your
first post on Jan. 1, date it as Jan. 6. (the first item in your first section)second post on Jan 2, date is Jan. 5 — mark it as a sticky so it will be on top (the second item in your first section)
third post on Jan. 3, date it as Jan. 4 — remove sticky from previous, new post sticky
(the third item of your first section)third post on Jan. 4, date it as Jan. 3 — remove sticky from previous, new post sticky
(the fourth item of your first section)
and so on…You can also use categories and tags to specify various subjects of interest.
I hope that this is not too confusing? -
ummm, well a little, given my current know-nothing status, seems like cutting and pasting onto a page would be easier, if it’s possible–great idea to have a private test blog–I seem to learn tech stuff best by doing so…I can try out the options including your suggestion there. do I need to set up a separate account for the text blog?
thanks so much for taking the time to respond in such detail–encouraging! -
No, don’t set up a separate account. You’ll find it much easier to get to your test blog if it is available easily under “My Blogs” on top.
Just go up to “My Blogs” and select “Register a new blog” -
The reason I suggested using posts is that they have much more SEO than static pages: search engines like to update dynamic content. By using categories and tags readers will find things they are interested in—I’m sure your dissertation has lots of interesting things; as you said you want to present it so people will be inclined to read it.
Pages can’t be tagged or categorized, and aside from their titles, readers won’t necessarily be inclined to take a look.
The other reason for my suggestion is that since your paper is finished (?) you should be able to plan how many days you would need for shortish readable posts and copy-paste the text (any pictures?) in sections so you can figure out how to date each one to appear in book-like order.
Your sections and chapters may not pull up in the chronologic order you like, but readers could select them from your index page and then read a group of posts. -
thanks–could I do it as posts and pages–i.e. leave the posts as posts so they remain dynamic, but have copy them onto as pages as well? sorry if I’m being thick here, which I suspect I am–trying, perhaps to have my cake and eat it to.
The PhD is long since finished (and very long as well) but I’m trying to re-write in the vernacular as I go (a daunting task) that’s why I can’t plan around what exists with any precision. Also, as I’ve been drafting my first post, I am beginning to appreciate the value of images—for helping ground the abstract in something concrete–they now seem indispensable–which changes the shape of the writing even more. -
Yes, pictures would be very useful. As you said about using a test blog to learn, hands on experience is useful. Pictures are similar. I really like your header image. Just opinion here, but it is intriguing.
As for posts and pages having the same content, search engines will ignore both: duplicate content tends to make you look like a spammer.
Perhaps you really want to publish your paper on pages by chapter. Then make posts with pictures and vernacular comments on your dissertation. You could quote yourself (briefly) and link to the original article. Make posts that would share your passion on the subject and offer a more accessible version (an explanation) in them.
I think your question is both technical and philosophic/personal, and it is about what you want to make of your blog.
By the way, your header image makes me want to ask what you will be writing about?
-
that’s seems like another good idea–I can think of sections that could work that way very easily–others not so well…but then your original suggestion of a static page index of posts would work as well. so maybe some combination of the two. This whole endeavour takes the idea of work-in-progress to the max. new ‘private’ experiment blog goes up tomorrow.
the short answer to your question about topic is race and ideology, history and memory–like all short answers doesn’t tell you much does it!
I love my banner image–it’s taken (with kind permission) from the work of Spanish urban artist Suso33 …my first post writes out from his images—they are wonderful.
thank you so much for your encouraging help and I’m sure I’ll be back. -
the short answer to your question about topic is race and ideology, history and memory–like all short answers doesn’t tell you much does it!
Yes, the short answer does not tell much. I think that is what your blog will be about: the long answer.
Life is making my time short but I will look at your header image reference. I’m looking forward to your first post! -
and on the odd occasion that life isn’t making my time short, I know for sure that time is making my life short.
Couldn’t resist a peek at your site…wow and yum–had to pull out right after making an evernote of the first up Mentaiko Spaghetti or the experimental blog won’t get up.just wanted to thank you again for both the ideas and encouragement to get started on this new tech journey.
-
Lost time is never found again.
Before I started, it seemed I had to cook anyway so I might as well write about it, and now it’s all experimental.You are welcome and if you need more answers, the forums are here!
- The topic ‘posts to pages to chapters’ is closed to new replies.
WordPress.com Forums 