Some people like essay tests because they provide a chance to provide general information mixed with tidbits that one recalls, which can be easier than dealing with figuring out specific answers. Good writing (or even a sort of filibuster to fill up the space) can in some fashion compensate for the lack of certain key points or details. It also provides a chance for the grader to determine if you truly understand the subject matter at hand, did not just remember facts. Of course, for those with bad handwriting, this is a way to particularly punish the teacher. Finally, it might provide some training for blog posts.
The blog post can be most anything that the blogger -- more prevelant than reality programming -- but this one often works around a particular story or stories that in some fashion can be interconnected in some fashion. A particular event, let's say, can provide a chance to discuss some hobbyhorse or insert some favored quotation. The good blog post does more than cite and put forth some opinion on a particular matter. It plays off it, provides some context and nuance. And/or expresses itself in a particularly powerful way.
For instance, Keith Olbermann covered an offensive NY Post editorial cartoon, bringing in a Rupert Murdoch biographer to discuss the inner workers of the paper.* Likewise, Al Sharpton came on, given its racist connotations. But, unlike this blog, he did not show that the offensiveness of the cartoon fit a trend. [Melissa Harris Lacewell co-writes that blog; she was on Rachel last night. Good commentary, different hairstyle. Seems to be her norm.] Singling out one cartoon in a vacuum would not be as useful or convincing. Context can be key, which is why singling out "liberal" news stories as such is of only limited value. This includes in depth coverage, but letting us know about past offensive cartoons ... that's basic detail stuff.
I'd add that the NY Daily News, its liberal component not as apparent on the opinion pages (Charles Krauthammer dominates the page today, another a-hole does some other days, the editors lean center right as a general matter), has also have some more offensive (if not racist) editorial cartoons of late. Often of a conservative cast, I have seen more than one complaint about them in the letters to the editors. This did not use to be the norm at all. Less movie reviews, mildly annoying; this, tad bit more ugly. Still offers a lot more than the NY Post, on the regular comic page alone.
I often skip over the op-ed material in the center of the paper all the same.
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* The guest firmly said that the matter will not be addressed openly by the paper, though it was leaked that one editor made it clear she opposed the cartoon and was not aware that it was going ot be printed beforehand. The show ended with a news update noting the paper apologized to anyone offended, not that it had any intention to do so, except to those who are only complaining to get on their anti-Post hobbyhorses ("this means you Al Sharpton!" thinly implied).
Charming apology for a cartoon, given loads of free publicity, about the stimulus package involving the police shooting a chimp (not Obama! no!) ala a recent horrible news story.