The forum name is provided in the "General" section. Optionally, a description can also be written.

Select the forum type. The forum type changes how the forum behaves.

A single simple discussion
Each person posts one discussion
Q and A forum
Standard forum displayed in a blog-like format
Standard forum for general use

Optionally, select availability dates. The due date is shown to students. Students cannot post after the cut-off date. Use a later cut-off date to allow late submission.

Optionally, select attachment and word count options. These determine how many attachments can be uploaded, the size of the attachments, and showing the word count within any given reply to the forum. 

Site upload limit (200 MB)
200 MB
100 MB
50 MB
20 MB
10 MB
5 MB
2 MB
1 MB
500 KB
100 KB
50 KB
10 KB
Uploads are not allowed

Optionally, select subscription and read tracking options. It determines how they want participants to receive notifications to the particular forum. Additionally, read tracking helps participants know where they last left off in the forum discussion.

Optional subscription
Forced subscription
Auto subscription
Subscription disabled

Optionally, select discussion locking options. These options will lock discussions after a certain period of time if no replies have been made or if outside a date range.

Do not lock discussions
1 day
1 week
2 weeks
1 month
2 months
3 months
6 months
1 year

Optionally, select post threshold for blocking options. These options prevent participants from sending multiple replies within a given timeframe ranging from 1 day to 1 year. 

Don't block
1 day
2 days
3 days
4 days
5 days
6 days
1 Week

To enable grading, select an option for whole forum grading. 

Select "Save and return to course" or "Save and display" once you are happy with the settings.

Setting Up a Weekly Discussion Forum