“Text” is an interesting lens to look at writing through. There are literally brand-new spaces for writing being created by new technology and innovations still to be made in existing spaces.
For this reason, I chose to look at my writing through the lens of text. Specifically, I will note what text-space, sometimes referred to simply as space, the writing was completed on or in. Text-space is used in this paper to refer to where the writing was done, whether it be an email program, a forum application, or on a piece of paper. Also I will be looking at the writing as text. In this paper the term refers to the writing as an object, the physical appearance. If the writing is typed, the text will appear considerably different if hand-written, for example. Text is linked to the text-space in many instances, but these distinctions served me well in the assessment of my writings.
Taking a look at the first writing, chronologically; February 3rd, 6:18pm, I wrote an introduction email to a classmate in my American Literature course who had agreed to be my study partner. I wanted to establish the connection between myself and my email presence as well as ensure that he had my email address. The email appears here:
The significance of this email’s typical appearance could be overlooked, so let me take a look at the above writing from a specific perspective. When considering the relation between the act of writing and text-space there is both the mandate, in this paper refers to the limits which the text-space has inherent in it, of the space and the offering, refers to what can be done in a text-space, specifically any possibilities which are more singular to that text-space, of the space. While all writing completed in a space will f...
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...if the writing is to be read by others I tend to shape the text more deliberately, in standardized ways. Despite text-space and text being secondary in these ways, I have also seen that they do have a notable impact on my writing, which brings up the second pattern of shaping text by the text-space, in terms of mandates and offerings. This is a reality which plays into choosing a text-space. In looking at the pieces of writing here, I have shown that I am aware of the mandates of text-spaces, and I effectively choose text-spaces which will not stifle my writing. When regarding the offerings of text-spaces, it obvious to me, there is potential for improvement. Despite being aware of the offerings, I found that I did not take advantage of them effectively, sometimes as a result of over-use and sometimes a result of not utilizing them, specifically in electronic spaces.
“Style” strives to explain how writers can improve clarity, cohesion, usage, and elegance to become a more effective writer. This book is not meant to be read once, for the full potential can not be achieved unless it is absorbed several times. Packed from cover to cover with real life examples ranging from the worst imaginable to greatly improved, Williams provides a detailed explanation of how to transform any writers work. Charts, graphs, and diagrams may add some confusion but can be helpful for individuals who depend upon visual aids.
In The Power of Writing by Joel Swerdlow, we are presented to the importance of writing to our civilization. Throughout the years written information has emerged as a primary method of communication. Individuals use whatever is available to write to convey their message. Early forms of writing include carving symbols in stone and bone, written leaves, silk, papyrus, parchment and paper. At the present time writing is used in many settings; for example we have books, text messages, online blogs, lyrics, street signs and emails. There are no limits to written information, and most importantly it can be preserved indefinitely. Writing helps me communicate to others, my identity, creativity and imagination. Individually, I use writing to compose lyrics, write about my personal experiences and to connect with my family. In my opinion, writing is an important tool of communication in my personal and professional development, because it gives an insight of my individual ideas.
Bolter, Jay David. Writing Space: Computers, Hypertext, and the Remediation of Print. Maywah: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2001.
The author of “Txting is killing language. JK!!” John McWhorter begins the passage by giving historical background and facts about speech and writing. The first main topic described is the difference
In Peter Elbows’ essay “Freewriting,” he emphasizes the importance of freewriting to improve the writing skills. He suggests writing “at least three times per week” 10 minutes per day in a piece of paper “whatever is on your mind”. Elbow stresses that the writing should be done without stopping, just writing every thought as they come to mind because, in the process, we tend to do “premature editing” of our “mistakes,” “bad writing,” or “unacceptable thoughts and feelings” making our writing “dead.” He explains that in the writing process, we are editing while producing, which it carries an “unnecessary burden” when we look for words and simultaneously worry if they are the correct ones. He believes that our writing skills can be bettered by regular practice of freewriting. The author finalizes that our writing has a voice, which is our “main source of power” that catch readers attention. It depends on us as writers to make it into something better. A voice that will be better heard by the reader.
Bunn, Mike. "How to Read Like a Writer." Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing. Comp. Charles Lowe and Pavel Zemliansky. Vol. 1. Anderson, South Carolina.: Parlor, 2011. 71-86. Print.
The Elements of Style written by William Strunk and E.B. White, and Style: Toward Clarity and Grace written by Jospeh Williams both offer suggestions for establishing the comprehensive application of literary techniques and style. Each book, constructed differently, focuses on various areas of writing through comprehensive basic rules and guidelines. These books specifically identify the basic foundation for writing rules of usage, principle composition and offer suggestions for different types of style approach. The information provided also compels the average writer toward the necessary elements of the writing process through various methods of grammar, punctuation, and style implications. Though they are presented completely different, some of the basic style suggestions found in Strunk and White are somewhat similar to those in Williams. Both books propose that good writing style must consist of: clarity, precision, length, revision, cohesion, and reader sensitivity_all with the application of basic writing rules and guidelines. Although each book can be very helpful to the average writer, the intense amount of instruction may, at first, seem overwhelming.
- Bolter, David Jay. Writing Space; The Computer, Hypertext, and the History of Writing. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Hillsdale, New Jersey; 1991.
...d processor continues to open up new ways of thinking for authors, by broadening what they think about and connecting them to the realm of publishing. Now, messages have become even more informal and common as people use the keyboards on their computers to quickly write e-mails and instant messages. Companies can be linked internationally and quickly due to the fast connections communication has developed though the Internet. Authors also have quick access to other writers’ ideas and the option to post them on the web. However, the word processor has taken some of the charm and creative spirit out of the typewriter. It seems that anyone can be an author with the spell-checking and thesaurus capabilities of the modern PC, as if there is no need for creativity and true talent.
I hear inner Strunk and White voices of “don’t overwrite”, “write in a way that comes naturally,” and so forth, going through my head. I have visions of endless Williams examples and illustrations on clarity. I see weeks of blog writings flashing through my memory. From all of this, I now own and believe in a firm and personal definition of what style is and what good writing entails. William Strunk and E.B. White’s book The Elements of Style, along with Joseph M. Williams’s book Style Toward Clarity and Grace helped lead me to this point, which is: what is the point?
Many different styles of writing exist in the world. Because there are many different writers who write many different ways, and no specific "correct" style of writing, various people find themselves writing in a variety of ways. people write quickly, and others do not write as fast. Some people write en masse and others work one paragraph at a time. Personally, my writing style could best be compared to a wrecking ball. The two may seem immensely different, but – surprisingly – the two share many similarities and, after considering my past writing experiences and encounters, I find that no other image provides as appropriate a comparison to my writing as that of an old-fashioned, demolition wrecking ball.
Any craftsman knows that you need the right tools to complete a project successfully. Similarly, people need the right language and usage to communicate in a positive way. How people write is often a problem because they don’t have the right tools, but a bigger problem occurs when a writer “is almost indifferent as to whether his words mean anything at all” (592). If a writer carries this mentality, why try to communicate in the first place? People need...
Walker, Alice. “Everyday Use.” Literature and the Writing Process Compact Edition. Ed. Elizabeth McMahan et al. Boston: Pearson/Longman, 2010. 157-163. Print.
Humans have a reputation for wasting things: time, money, resources, and even words. When wasted words begin to distract from writing, it is called clutter. In “Clutter”, William Zinsser utilizes figurative language, ethical appeals, and arrangement to reveal the creep of cluttered language into writing and to persuade writers to avoid it.
Angeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Anderson, M., Soderlund, L., & Brizee, A. (2010, May 5). The Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL). Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/