(3) We came to a conclusion that both Facebook and texting are forms of writing, which are usually for an expressly communicative purpose. And further, that most kinds of writing are for some purpose of communication.
(4/5/6) We think that it's becoming more common for an individual's voice to be a patchwork of quotations and borrowed ideas. Taking into account technology's effect on voice (making it much easier to borrow ideas from other people), we think it's more difficult for a person to develop their own voice.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Questioning Our Literacy
Facebook and texting is more conversational writing. Writing is a large umbrella with many little topics underneath it, such as conversational writing, scholarly writing, and free writing, just to name a few. People are able, hopefully, to tell when each one is appropriate to use when composing something.
I think, to find one’s own voice, you have to write how you feel comfortable with and in a way that gets the point across. We believe the writer might take bits and pieces of anothers' opinion but not all of it. Once they read some topic, that idea is in the mind of the other person and the writer works from there to construct their idea. Everyone’s voice is kind of a patchwork of others but by doing that, we are able to create our own.
By copying a voice or someone else's voice, writers might not exactly have their own genuinely authentic voice of their own. I think many people would like to keep to the norm, so there is little room for variations in writing. In school, it might be hard to grow a new, unique voice because teachers (at least in high schools and middle schools) try to make their students write in a certain way because some ways of writing might be too “out there.” Not trying to bash the school system or how teachers teach, but sometimes they try to push their thoughts, habits, and ways of writing onto their students.
“It depends on what you open yourself up to…what you experience and even how you’re raised.”
“I think it goes back to what we said earlier… you adopt certain ideas from other readings and use a combination of them to make your own voice. … it really depends on each person because it varies”
The media plays a big role because it exposes societies to certain things that could influence certain behaviours, way of speaking, and even people’s way of life.
I think, to find one’s own voice, you have to write how you feel comfortable with and in a way that gets the point across. We believe the writer might take bits and pieces of anothers' opinion but not all of it. Once they read some topic, that idea is in the mind of the other person and the writer works from there to construct their idea. Everyone’s voice is kind of a patchwork of others but by doing that, we are able to create our own.
By copying a voice or someone else's voice, writers might not exactly have their own genuinely authentic voice of their own. I think many people would like to keep to the norm, so there is little room for variations in writing. In school, it might be hard to grow a new, unique voice because teachers (at least in high schools and middle schools) try to make their students write in a certain way because some ways of writing might be too “out there.” Not trying to bash the school system or how teachers teach, but sometimes they try to push their thoughts, habits, and ways of writing onto their students.
“It depends on what you open yourself up to…what you experience and even how you’re raised.”
“I think it goes back to what we said earlier… you adopt certain ideas from other readings and use a combination of them to make your own voice. … it really depends on each person because it varies”
The media plays a big role because it exposes societies to certain things that could influence certain behaviours, way of speaking, and even people’s way of life.
Literacy and Voice Questions
3. We both agree that texting and online communication, like Facebook, are writing because they communicate, but not writing in the sense that we talk about in school, like novels or academic papers.
4. It seems that the idea of voice and identity as is seen in writing can also be seen in music. One artist may have a similar sound to another, but they still have their own voice. We, as writers, may not have completely original ideas but we can take the ideas and information from others and shape it with our own voice and experiences.
5. A writer's voice can seem more authentic to us, but may not seem so to someone else because that authenticity can be subjective. An example of this could be seen in political writers, who some people respect while others see as biased.
6. Imitation is important in constructing our own sense of self because we can find ourselves in the voices of others, then build off of that. Music, once again, can serve as an example of this because we can relate to lyrics and take those feelings or ideas as our own.
4. It seems that the idea of voice and identity as is seen in writing can also be seen in music. One artist may have a similar sound to another, but they still have their own voice. We, as writers, may not have completely original ideas but we can take the ideas and information from others and shape it with our own voice and experiences.
5. A writer's voice can seem more authentic to us, but may not seem so to someone else because that authenticity can be subjective. An example of this could be seen in political writers, who some people respect while others see as biased.
6. Imitation is important in constructing our own sense of self because we can find ourselves in the voices of others, then build off of that. Music, once again, can serve as an example of this because we can relate to lyrics and take those feelings or ideas as our own.
Literacy and Voice Questions - In Class
1. Well, of course in order to be literate you need to be able to understand what you read and write. However, being "technologically and digitally" literate involves a lot more. If someone doesn't know how to use a computer, they might be considered to be stupid by some people, but they might be brilliant in other areas.
In order to be able to text, you need to be able to to understand "text speak" like "idk", "idc", "ttyl", "omg", and all of the other crazy things people come up with to save time and energy.
Not only should you have a basic grasp on that, but to be technologically literate you should be able to operate and maneuver around a computer. So much of our lives are connected with the Internet that you almost have to be able to understand how it works.
4. So many people use other people's words and ideas on Facebook instead of coming up with our own way of saying how we feel. People post videos, lyrics, movie quotes, or quotes from other people (scholars) who actually can put together their own ideas.
It is difficult to create an original voice just for yourself.
We do think it is possible to use your own voice, but it isn't easy, and it isn't common.
5. People definitely view other people's voices as more authentic than others - and sometimes more authentic than our own. By using someone else's words, we are deeming their thoughts more credible than our own, so we use them in order to appear theway we want to Facebook or on other sites.
6. It is really hard to get around using something from someone. Pretty much everything we say has come from something else. No idea is completely original - chances are, someone has thought about the same thing before. Not to mention, it is must more convenient to copy and paste a chorus that explains how you feel instead of making your own "status."
In Class Questions 2/16/11
1) To be "literate" in our world today a person must be up to date with technology, such as face book, twitter, texting, having a smart phone. Being fluent with all medias.
4) It is hard to find your own voice when you feel like everyone else has already said everything that could be said or done. Just like Mr. Cash said you can take some things that other people do, but you have to do it in your own way. People need to put their own twist on what they do to make it theirs or create some individuality. It is very possible, the challenge is making something seem as though it is your own.
5) Yes, some people project themselves in their own ways better than others. For example comedian's must have their own individuality in order to draw people to them. Also, a persons ethos has allot to do with how a person projects themselves. If you walk the walk, you gotta talk the talk.
6) In order to base who you are you have to look up to someone or have an idol. This sets the foundation for who you would like to be, but you are able to be yourself at the same time. For example, if you want to be a musician, you cannot just come up with your own genre, you have to have something to base your style on.
4) It is hard to find your own voice when you feel like everyone else has already said everything that could be said or done. Just like Mr. Cash said you can take some things that other people do, but you have to do it in your own way. People need to put their own twist on what they do to make it theirs or create some individuality. It is very possible, the challenge is making something seem as though it is your own.
5) Yes, some people project themselves in their own ways better than others. For example comedian's must have their own individuality in order to draw people to them. Also, a persons ethos has allot to do with how a person projects themselves. If you walk the walk, you gotta talk the talk.
6) In order to base who you are you have to look up to someone or have an idol. This sets the foundation for who you would like to be, but you are able to be yourself at the same time. For example, if you want to be a musician, you cannot just come up with your own genre, you have to have something to base your style on.
Questions 2-16
1. Being literate today means being able to navigate around and actually do what is required with modern technology. Juts being able to do the basics would probably make you literate in that area, especially in looking at older generations.
4. Its more ambiguous to find your voice amongst the crowd, especially when you are active in so many mediums. There are a more influences now than ever that affect your "voice" and they are more easy to access than ever before. Its harder to make a unique voice but having a personal voice is still possible.
5. Obviously voices that dont follow the rules or are on the outside of normal are more authentic than others. People who dont just ramble off all the same word garbage as everyone else seem to be more authentic. Only the people who go directly with the flow seem to have become caught up and less authentic with the devloment of technology.
6.It seems like people use imitation of other to shape what people think about them. They are doing this to shape their outward sense of self in order make others think things about them. The idea being that others will like what they have said and they will be more relateable. Mimicry also show what we identify with and shapes our self to things similar to that.
4. Its more ambiguous to find your voice amongst the crowd, especially when you are active in so many mediums. There are a more influences now than ever that affect your "voice" and they are more easy to access than ever before. Its harder to make a unique voice but having a personal voice is still possible.
5. Obviously voices that dont follow the rules or are on the outside of normal are more authentic than others. People who dont just ramble off all the same word garbage as everyone else seem to be more authentic. Only the people who go directly with the flow seem to have become caught up and less authentic with the devloment of technology.
6.It seems like people use imitation of other to shape what people think about them. They are doing this to shape their outward sense of self in order make others think things about them. The idea being that others will like what they have said and they will be more relateable. Mimicry also show what we identify with and shapes our self to things similar to that.
literacy and voice- in class
4. finding one's voice: Finding something you are passionate and knowledgeable about and be willing to express those thoughts and views with others. Anyone can obviously forge their voice if they are heavily influenced by something or someone else. What makes it originally is by taking the information and opinions of others you've gathered and interpreting it into what you think it means. Its how you put that information out there that makes it your voice.
5. With today's technology, we are exposed to so much knowledge, opinions and voices. We think its impossible to have an 'authentic' voice because anything and everything can influence your ideas. Anything you write was influenced by something else. Especially as college students, when we are assigned a paper, we may take into consideration the views and opinions of the person grading the paper. In my gender and communications class, my teacher is an extreme feminist so when I'm assigned a paper about my opinions about topics that come out of feminist movements, I'm more likely to be influenced by my teacher's voice rather than my own.
6. In today's society, imitation plays a huge role in our lives. I can't tell you how many papers or discussions i've been involved with about 'who is your role model'. As a society, so many of us want to mimic someone we may see on tv, in movies or even a stranger on the street. In the writing aspect, many papers require sources. We are required to include sources of other people's voices, knowledge or life experiences. No matter who you see or what you do, you are influenced by someone or something else.
5. With today's technology, we are exposed to so much knowledge, opinions and voices. We think its impossible to have an 'authentic' voice because anything and everything can influence your ideas. Anything you write was influenced by something else. Especially as college students, when we are assigned a paper, we may take into consideration the views and opinions of the person grading the paper. In my gender and communications class, my teacher is an extreme feminist so when I'm assigned a paper about my opinions about topics that come out of feminist movements, I'm more likely to be influenced by my teacher's voice rather than my own.
6. In today's society, imitation plays a huge role in our lives. I can't tell you how many papers or discussions i've been involved with about 'who is your role model'. As a society, so many of us want to mimic someone we may see on tv, in movies or even a stranger on the street. In the writing aspect, many papers require sources. We are required to include sources of other people's voices, knowledge or life experiences. No matter who you see or what you do, you are influenced by someone or something else.
Joan Didion- Why I Write
I knew I couldn't think. All I knew then was what I couldn't do. All I knew then was what I wasn't, and it took me some years to discover what I was.
As I read Joan Didion's "Why I Write" this line stood out to me.And even though it doesn't represent the reading I wanted to write about it anyway. It made me think about how many people seem to only be able to see themselves this way. Only knowing and focusing on the cant's of their life. I know that I have looked at my life this way and I can say from experience that this can be destructive to a persons self esteem. For example some one who focuses on things like not being able to do well in classes might drop out, when in reality they might be struggling in class but they are doing really well in sports. Instead of dropping out they focus on getting help with their work so they can participate in sports.
Another reason I think it stuck out to me is because it sort of talks about Identity. Because if your focused on the negative then you are going to view yourself in a negative way.Causing other people to also see you in that negative way. In the same way if you focuse on the positives ten so will everyone else.
As I read Joan Didion's "Why I Write" this line stood out to me.And even though it doesn't represent the reading I wanted to write about it anyway. It made me think about how many people seem to only be able to see themselves this way. Only knowing and focusing on the cant's of their life. I know that I have looked at my life this way and I can say from experience that this can be destructive to a persons self esteem. For example some one who focuses on things like not being able to do well in classes might drop out, when in reality they might be struggling in class but they are doing really well in sports. Instead of dropping out they focus on getting help with their work so they can participate in sports.
Another reason I think it stuck out to me is because it sort of talks about Identity. Because if your focused on the negative then you are going to view yourself in a negative way.Causing other people to also see you in that negative way. In the same way if you focuse on the positives ten so will everyone else.
Why I Write - Joan Didion
"...there's no getting around the fact that setting words on paper is the tactic of a secret bully, an invasion, an imposition of the writer's sensibility on the reader's most private space."
How cool is that? I think that is so awesome to think about. Anything I read is "an invasion" into my mind, and every time something I have written is read, I am invading the minds of others.
It sounds like science-fiction or something, but it's true. Every time we read something, we filter it with the knowledge and opinions we already have. Sometimes, though, those things we read can really impact our thoughts and help us to create new ones.
In the same way, each and every time we write something we let the page be the mediator and tool by which we dive into our readers' minds.
That should be why we write: in order to impact our readers' thoughts with our own. Writing is always so much better when it has a cut, clear purpose embedded throughout the words. So why would anyone want to write something that really has no goal or purpose? Such writing is a waste of time.
Writing is not a way of saying, "I have all the answers! Listen to me!" Many times people write to simply develop more ideas and thoughts. Joan talks about a novel she wrote, and how she had so many questions about her characters while writing her book. She kept writing and finished the story to answer her own questions that developed. She wrote in order to discover.
Joan Didion
“All I knew then was what I couldn‟t do. All I knew then was what I wasn‟t, and it took me some years to discover what I was. Which was a writer.”
I can relate to this so much. This whole piece I found myself thinking “wow she’s like me!” Her imagery, the way her mind works, her way of writing; how she starts her novels with no idea where the novel is going. I enjoyed this reading a lot. I think her point is that her reason to write is not controlled by her. I believe she is saying her mind that she doesn’t quite understand is the reason she writes. She writes to better understand the way she interrupts things. I too find myself doing this.
When she says, “In short I tried to think. I failed” This is what happens to me when I’m trying to write a research paper or something I have no interest in what so ever. I find myself getting caught up in the words thinking about how dull and bland they are. When I have to write for a class I do just this, I think. Thinking only leads me to failure and un-satisfaction. I find that when I let the words flow then revise what I have written when it is all out onto paper I am most satisfied. This to me is Didion’s point.
I can relate to this so much. This whole piece I found myself thinking “wow she’s like me!” Her imagery, the way her mind works, her way of writing; how she starts her novels with no idea where the novel is going. I enjoyed this reading a lot. I think her point is that her reason to write is not controlled by her. I believe she is saying her mind that she doesn’t quite understand is the reason she writes. She writes to better understand the way she interrupts things. I too find myself doing this.
When she says, “In short I tried to think. I failed” This is what happens to me when I’m trying to write a research paper or something I have no interest in what so ever. I find myself getting caught up in the words thinking about how dull and bland they are. When I have to write for a class I do just this, I think. Thinking only leads me to failure and un-satisfaction. I find that when I let the words flow then revise what I have written when it is all out onto paper I am most satisfied. This to me is Didion’s point.
Shared Motivation
I think I could understand Orwell and why he write better than I did with Joan Didion's reason. I got the impression that Orwell wrote so he could have an escape from his lonesome life. He used this as a way of challenging himself, too. The easier pieces of work gave him no satisfaction. "To begin with there was the made-to-order stuff which I produced quickly, easily and without much pleasure to myself." I agree with him whole heartily because I write to take myself somewhere else or to free my mind of nonsensical thoughts, but that is my free writing. I enjoy writing other papers and essays because it helps me think and it challenged me, yet entertains me. "When I was about sixteen I suddenly discovered the joy of mere words, i.e. the sounds and associations of words...and the spelling ‘hee’ for ‘he’ was an added pleasure." Skipping around in his reading, I found that Orwell wrote for himself. He wanted to write, not to please others, but to please himself. Once again, I agree with this statement. I want to write for myself and write in my own style, even though I will cave into what others want (such as teachers) once in a while.
I can understand Joan's troubles, though. She talks about being distracted, and that I can relate to. When the time comes, I can and will sit down and focus, but before the final countdown begins, I will dillydally as long as I can with other, more eventful things. The one thing she said, though, is that writing is an act of saying "I." I don't agree with this whatsoever. In high school, I had to write a persuasive paper for something I did not believe in. I wrote that paper because I had to, but I did not say "See this topic MY way" or "Think the way I do." I did it because it was a chance to expose the reader to a different mindset, but it doesn't have to be my own.
I can understand Joan's troubles, though. She talks about being distracted, and that I can relate to. When the time comes, I can and will sit down and focus, but before the final countdown begins, I will dillydally as long as I can with other, more eventful things. The one thing she said, though, is that writing is an act of saying "I." I don't agree with this whatsoever. In high school, I had to write a persuasive paper for something I did not believe in. I wrote that paper because I had to, but I did not say "See this topic MY way" or "Think the way I do." I did it because it was a chance to expose the reader to a different mindset, but it doesn't have to be my own.
Why I Write
I think it's cool that Didion pieces together her novels rather than writing them completely from beginning to end. Instead, she fills in gaps. It doesn't matter how you write something as long as you have a finished product when all is said and done. She writes whatever comes to her first. She writes fiction, and not everyone has the brain for writing fiction. She's very keen to her surroundings, or at least her characters are, and I think that she captures those descriptive moments well. It's interesting that she makes up a scene, and then she creates the characters bios. Also it's a bit humorous that she's basically saying that the only thing she's good at is writing. That's why she writes. I think she has this impulse to write and to keep "pictures in her mind" and to turn those pictures into words and scenes.
I have to admit that if you don't follow along closely in the the Didion piece you can get lost easily. Or should I say, I, Allison, can. I found myself rereading Why I Write because, at first, I just skimmed it. One minute she's talking about things shimmering, and the next, she's talking about cannibalized Fairchild F-227s. Maybe she's too descriptive. Sometimes I just want her to get to the point. I don't always need to know that her character's sandals are sticking to the asphalt(we get it, it's hot outside), I just want to know what her thoughts and intentions are as she's walking on that asphalt.
I have to admit that if you don't follow along closely in the the Didion piece you can get lost easily. Or should I say, I, Allison, can. I found myself rereading Why I Write because, at first, I just skimmed it. One minute she's talking about things shimmering, and the next, she's talking about cannibalized Fairchild F-227s. Maybe she's too descriptive. Sometimes I just want her to get to the point. I don't always need to know that her character's sandals are sticking to the asphalt(we get it, it's hot outside), I just want to know what her thoughts and intentions are as she's walking on that asphalt.
Motives
Something that I find very true coming from both Didion and Orwell is their admitting of writing as an act of manipulating one’s mind. Whether a piece of writing is informative, aesthetic, or straightforwardly persuasive, all writing is meant to be read by someone. I liked Orwell’s story a lot more; although I have a bias from reading and thoroughly enjoying 1984.
Orwell stated that motives for writing usually fall under four different categories, and it is hard to tell which ones influence us the most sometimes. However, he admits that he knows which one ‘deserves to be followed’, which is writing with a political purpose. I personally welcome the idea of changing hearts and minds through writing or other means—it can be powerful, and its effects are at times immeasurable. I also think that egoism is always a motive in almost everything that people do, whether it is weak or strong. It doesn’t always have to be in expected ways, such as gains in approval, reputation, or recognition—it could be to make oneself wiser, to test ones limits, or to be a part of something bigger than ones self.
Just the thought of Orwell reminded me of a comic I bookmarked a while ago, which can really make you think if you haven’t thought about it too much before: http://www.recombinantrecords.net/images/2009-05-Amusing-Ourselves-to-Death.png
Orwell also mentioned his upbringing, and how his loneliness as a child attributed towards some of the reasons why he welcomed writing as a medium. I think that it is interesting, just reflecting on my life, how a lot of the negative instances in my life had more of a positive impact than all the good things that have happened. In fact, a lot of good things that happen to me have some negative consequences that go with them. I think that there is some kind of slippery slope effect that starts at ones childhood and can stick with them for the rest of their life. A lot of important development happens then, and it really can define us in that sort of way.
side note: I was suppose to post on Monday, but I went into this week thinking that Wednesday was the day for me to post (looked at 3/14 instead of 2/14.)
Orwell stated that motives for writing usually fall under four different categories, and it is hard to tell which ones influence us the most sometimes. However, he admits that he knows which one ‘deserves to be followed’, which is writing with a political purpose. I personally welcome the idea of changing hearts and minds through writing or other means—it can be powerful, and its effects are at times immeasurable. I also think that egoism is always a motive in almost everything that people do, whether it is weak or strong. It doesn’t always have to be in expected ways, such as gains in approval, reputation, or recognition—it could be to make oneself wiser, to test ones limits, or to be a part of something bigger than ones self.
Just the thought of Orwell reminded me of a comic I bookmarked a while ago, which can really make you think if you haven’t thought about it too much before: http://www.recombinantrecords.net/images/2009-05-Amusing-Ourselves-to-Death.png
Orwell also mentioned his upbringing, and how his loneliness as a child attributed towards some of the reasons why he welcomed writing as a medium. I think that it is interesting, just reflecting on my life, how a lot of the negative instances in my life had more of a positive impact than all the good things that have happened. In fact, a lot of good things that happen to me have some negative consequences that go with them. I think that there is some kind of slippery slope effect that starts at ones childhood and can stick with them for the rest of their life. A lot of important development happens then, and it really can define us in that sort of way.
side note: I was suppose to post on Monday, but I went into this week thinking that Wednesday was the day for me to post (looked at 3/14 instead of 2/14.)
"Why I Write" by Joan Didion
“Let me tell you one thing about why writers write: had I known the answer to any of these questions I would never have needed to write a novel.”
Didion is not the first writer I have seen say something like this. Like Didion did not know who the narrator would be for her novel, Jay Asher has said that he didn’t know who the speaker was going to be in his debut novel, Thirteen Reasons Why (an interview in the bonus material of the book). He had to see where the story took him and then revise. It turned out that the book goes between the speaker, Clay Jensen, and the audio of the tapes Hannah recorded for him and 12 others. Laurie Halse Anderson said about her popular book Speak (in an interview in the platinum edition) that she did not know in the beginning where the story was going. She said that the girl, Melinda, came to her in a nightmare and was trying to tell her something and she just had to write it down. Just as the reader doesn’t know until later in the book that Melinda had been raped, Anderson said she didn’t either.
I think it is really stirring, these author’s pull to write. They have images and voices in their heads that they can only get out through writing. This phenomena, of course, does not apply to all writers or all forms of writing, but is interesting.
I also thought it was interesting how Didion said that she couldn’t think. She said that she focused on concrete images or the “peripheral.” It’s strange to think that someone who is clearly intelligent, having written multiple novels, feels that she fails to think because she does so differently than others.
I also thought it was interesting how Didion said that she couldn’t think. She said that she focused on concrete images or the “peripheral.” It’s strange to think that someone who is clearly intelligent, having written multiple novels, feels that she fails to think because she does so differently than others.
Joan Didion Why I Write
I thought her article was alright, when most people write they do write to persuade. I do agree with her when she says writing is an act of saying I, I tend to do this a lot when I am writing a paper I sometimes use the words I and like a lot, and I get off subject and start to write the paper about myself and what I think of the subject or different things. Your basically getting the opinion of the writer and how they view the subject they are writing about.
I can also relate to her when she says that she has a hard time focusing on either what she is reading or writing i think that is very common. It is hard to sit and read an article or a whole book because sometimes you get distracted. Writing definitely can bring some of the biggest distractions, just a simple mark on the wall can take your focus and attention off what you are doing.
The rest of the article she talks about comparing writing to maybe imagery. I don't think I imagine pictures when i am writing i just try to stay on topic and focused. I don't see how seeing pictures and images is going to help.
I can also relate to her when she says that she has a hard time focusing on either what she is reading or writing i think that is very common. It is hard to sit and read an article or a whole book because sometimes you get distracted. Writing definitely can bring some of the biggest distractions, just a simple mark on the wall can take your focus and attention off what you are doing.
The rest of the article she talks about comparing writing to maybe imagery. I don't think I imagine pictures when i am writing i just try to stay on topic and focused. I don't see how seeing pictures and images is going to help.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
joan didion- why i write
I thought this article was very interesting. It made me think back to things I've written in the past and how my intent was always to get the reader to see my stance on a subject. I'm not sure that I agree with her when she says writing is always used to persuade but I certainly see where she is coming from. When we research a topic we are about to write about, we typically search things we already know about the subject. Or if we have a strong opinion about a topic we are more likely to spend more time research the side you agree with than the side you disagree with. While both sides could be represented in a paper, you write with your heart and with more knowledge on what you believe and you write purely on facts you've gathered about the other side. Even if it's not a research paper, even if its just a paper like the one we recently turned in, our personalities, views, and opinions are all throughout it whether you mean it to or not.
I also like the way she describes herself as a writer. "By which I mean not a “good” writer or a “bad” writer but simply a writer, a person whose most absorbed and passionate hours are spent arranging words on pieces of paper."
I also like the way she describes herself as a writer. "By which I mean not a “good” writer or a “bad” writer but simply a writer, a person whose most absorbed and passionate hours are spent arranging words on pieces of paper."
Joan Didion-Why I Write
I thought Joan Didion's excerpt was very interesting. I'm not sure I agreed with her opening statements where she says that writing is always used to persuade, but the more I think about it, the writer is trying to express their opinion in a logical manner, so that the reader can ultimately understand what they're trying to convey, so I guess that is fairly true. I guess I interpreted the main point of the article as the fact that you can try to study various writing methods and attempt to think about writing so abstractly, but unless what you're writing about isn't truly personal to you, it won't be effective. I can definitely agree that writing has to be personal and have meaning. I like how she describes the way some of her mental photographs "shimmered" and that that is ultimately what inspires her writing. I think everyone can relate to seeing something that probably has no real emotional meaning to anyone else, but for some reason the image strikes them or has some effect on that specific person. It is a very interesting insight into her writing process, and something that I'd like to try to use with my own writing.
Joan Didion
I like this article a lot. In short I tried to think. I failed. This is resonant with me. I like that she focuses on specifics, on real things, rather than on abstract intellectual ideas. It was insightful to read what she wrote about the significance that images have in her writing. I've been trying to articulate something similar to that, in talking or thinking about images I get from reading. I'm not sure why, but it seems more common for people to get intellectual when they talk about reactions to something read...the perception/interpretation of some supposedly greater and more universal meaning than the one that is simply there, that is the image in the reader's or writer's mind. Not that there's anything wrong with that. I think it's important and meaningful sometimes. But it also leads to a lot of bullshit intellectualism that doesn't really mean anything. So it's nice to read something simply recognizing that specifics are the most important thing.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Why I Write
In this weeks reading Joan describes her writing background in writing. In the first few paragraphs, she said that she use to have a hard time focusing on what she was reading and writing and focusing on the more tangible things. I can relate to this because when I am either reading or writing I get easily distracted by things such as facebook or television. It is easy for me to stop writing and go on facebook chat, I find it more interesting and more fun, but writing is what is important. She continues on to talk about how she graduated and what she had to go through to get there. I took this story as a way of perceiving and staying focused on what's important in life than finding the easy way out.
In-Class: Why Write?
We can learn almost anything from books, articles, and documents. We can provide others with our ideas and thoughts in various styles, as well. It is obvious that writing is an effective form of communication. More so, however, I think writing is a form of expression. Poetry, novels, speeches, letters; these things can give us much insight to a person’s beliefs or personality - as we discussed some last class with the Obama speech. Writing can be therapeutic, too. Keeping a journal, putting down on paper what you couldn’t possibly say out loud. With the growing popularity of social networking sites and online journals, however, communication and expression are coming together in a whole new way. Books, speeches and other types of writing have communicated ideas in an expressive way for a long time. However, we haven’t seen published diaries and private thoughts portrayed quite the way they can be now through blogs and status updates. We can connect with others with similar experiences and beliefs around the world. Today, this is why many people write: to connect with others.
Why Write?
Thinking broadly about writing, it is probably the most effective way to communicate information. I think the reasons why different people write are personal to the writer...there is a lot of variation in the details. I would guess that the most universal reason to write is the need to communicate something. Again, what exactly that something is can vary a lot, but I think that the need for communication is probably the most common underlying inspiration to the writer.
Why Write?
Writing is a form of expression. Some may hate it, some love it and some really not care either way. I personally love it. I write to relieve stress, for enjoyment, to express my feelings to someone, to just put an idea I have onto paper, but most of all I write for me. I am all for writing. Why? Writing is a way of life for me. I do it because of the joy I get out of it. I do it to express myself to people in a deeper way. I think writing is healthy, it helps me get things out of my head that maybe I can’t say to someone or just don’t want to. It helps me clear my mind. That is why I write.
Why Write?
I think that writing is good for the mind. It helps people to better understand things. Kind of like a learning tool. I don’t like to write but I feel that’s it’s a better way for me to express myself instead of talking. People tend to interpret your words their own way when reading your work. You can give a lot more detail about a subject then to try and verbally explain it.
Writing could also be looked upon as art some people take it very seriously. I think that it could be a skill, something that takes a long time to master. Not a lot of people are great at it but writing is good because it is another form of expression.
Writing could also be looked upon as art some people take it very seriously. I think that it could be a skill, something that takes a long time to master. Not a lot of people are great at it but writing is good because it is another form of expression.
Why Write?
When asked the question, "why write?", I think to myself that there a number of different reasons to write. People write to educate, to entertain, to enlighten, and to express one's self. All these are different reasons to write but I think all these authors have one common thing and that is that they are inspired to write. Even in a class such as this where we are recpuired to write, we are looking to pass this class and further our education. I believe all writers must have some inspiration as to why they write about what they write. Whether they write about biology, sports, or legal issues; all writers must have some kind of inspiration.
Why Write
One of the main reasons to write is to communicate. Even with telephones being around for so long, a lot of people's favorite ways to communicate with others are through texting, Facebook, and Email. Partly because you get to plan out what you're going to say. Some people feel more comfortable, for instance, writing someone a letter, instead of communicating by telephone or in person. They may even say more through their writing than they do through their words said out loud.
I write because I have to and because I want to. There's no way around it for 99% of anybody whose ever been or ever will be successful. Writing is just a part of life. A reason I like writing is that even if it's a research paper, you can still be highly creative. You get to choose the words you write and it's freeing.
I write because I have to and because I want to. There's no way around it for 99% of anybody whose ever been or ever will be successful. Writing is just a part of life. A reason I like writing is that even if it's a research paper, you can still be highly creative. You get to choose the words you write and it's freeing.
Why Write?
As I said in my blog post about Joan Didion’s reason for her writing, I can agree with her reason which is to sway the reader’s opinion towards your own, to change their mind. You want to have what you’re writing provoke some thought out of your readers.
Another reason to write would be to get out onto paper what you can’t say in person. Writing can be a great way to express yourself and your ideas. From writing a novel, a short story, a thesis or even a poem can be a great way of expressing yourself. I know that I can express myself in writing better than just having a conversation and I’m sure there are a lot of people who are the same way as me.Why Write?
Writing is such an important and integral part of human communication, that it's absolutely imperative that you clearly and consicisely convey your message. Writing serves as both a practical and expressive mode for communication. The more practical way conveys a clear, defined message, whereas with expressive writing, the message is open to interpretation. Whatever kind of writing it is, I feel it's important to express your own thoughts and knowledge no matter what you're trying to say. I feel it helps us to understand things when written down, for example, directions. It's much easier to write directions down than to explain them verbally. As far as the expressive part goes; that has go along with your identity. However you want to convey a message is up to you and only you. It reveals something about you.
Why Write?
I find it important to write because it is a great way to get your thoughts and emotions out. Sometimes when a person is going through a hard time it is beneficial to them to let their feelings out on paper even though it is not for other people to read.
Another reason why people write is to tell others of a story or an expierence that people will find interesting. People like to read about other people and expierences they have gone through so it is good to write so that people can enjoy and appreciate what you have went through.
The last reason why I think it is a good idea to write is to persuade people to a particular idea. You can find a lot of persuasive writing in campaigns when trying to persuade voters on a candidate to choose. There are many different reasons why people should write and I think that they are all equally important.
Another reason why people write is to tell others of a story or an expierence that people will find interesting. People like to read about other people and expierences they have gone through so it is good to write so that people can enjoy and appreciate what you have went through.
The last reason why I think it is a good idea to write is to persuade people to a particular idea. You can find a lot of persuasive writing in campaigns when trying to persuade voters on a candidate to choose. There are many different reasons why people should write and I think that they are all equally important.
Why Write?
There are many different ways and reasons to write.You might write to help you remember, by writing a list of things you need or writing down an idea so you can work on it later. You might write a paper so you can share your knowledge and research with others. You might write a story to show your creative side. You might write down your thoughts just to get them out of your head. Everyone writes different things at different times for different reasons. So why do you write?
Writing lets you put your thoughts out in front of you.
It lets you share information and knowledge with others.
Writing helps you organize your thoughts, your knowledge,and your ideas.
Writing lets you put your thoughts out in front of you.
It lets you share information and knowledge with others.
Writing helps you organize your thoughts, your knowledge,and your ideas.
Reasons to write
Writing is an alternative form of expression that has good and bad attributes to it. One of the benefits of writing is that it can be edited and redone, where other means of communication and expression don’t have the luxury of getting polished. Now more than ever, writing is useful because it can be easily distributed and copied through email or copying machines. Writing can also be easily referenced, and there is less of a chance of miscommunication this way instead of relying on memory with vocal messages.
A big part of writing is that generally people feel more comfortable conveying information this way instead of spoken word. Public speaking is a very common and dominant fear in many people, and also involves other things to worry about when trying to get a message across, such as body language, tone of voice, posture, and confidence. Writing takes the message down to the simplest form, leaving out the other factors.
A big part of writing is that generally people feel more comfortable conveying information this way instead of spoken word. Public speaking is a very common and dominant fear in many people, and also involves other things to worry about when trying to get a message across, such as body language, tone of voice, posture, and confidence. Writing takes the message down to the simplest form, leaving out the other factors.
Why Write?
I think the best aspect of writing is the fact that you can take an idea and make it concrete by putting it onto paper or by typing it. It's the medium we use to take imaginary things and make them real. It's also a great way to share ideas with other people. Ever since the creation of the printing press writing has been the number one way to communicate different ideas to the rest of the world. Even though there have been many technological advances since, we still use reading and writing skills every single day, and the world has become a much more advanced place because of the sharing of ideas through writing. I enjoy writing because I think it makes me a more creative person and I like to express myself through my writing.
Why Write?
I write on a daily basis because I like to put my thoughts down on paper (or on a computer screen) so I can look at them. Whether it is a list for the grocery store, or a brief blog about something, I enjoy writing because I can look back and remember things. No matter what it is, writing allows me to go back and further analyze my thoughts.
I'm not usually concerned with whether someone else is going to be reading what I write or not. I write for me, simply because I like it. I doodle all the time, but most of my "doodles" are words, phrases, lyrics, or something else I'm thinking about. I write constantly, and most of my writing is done just so my brain can get some air.
As for academic writing, I write because I have to. :P
Writing One Thought at a Time
Why Write? That's a pretty open-ended question? I write a lot because it sometimes help to put your thoughts onto paper/blog/computer/etc instead of letting them float around in your mind. I have a folder full of writings, most of them are just rambles and rants that sometimes makes a point and sometimes just expresses an emotion I need to get out. I don't want to waste a thought, so I always try to put something down on paper.
George Orwell included this in his entry about writing: "I knew that I had a facility with words and a power of facing unpleasant facts, and I felt that this created a sort of private world in which I could get my own back for my failure in everyday life." I liked his idea of a "private world" because I think writing can help create that. It is just a way for one's own thoughts to come to life, even if no one else sees them.
George Orwell included this in his entry about writing: "I knew that I had a facility with words and a power of facing unpleasant facts, and I felt that this created a sort of private world in which I could get my own back for my failure in everyday life." I liked his idea of a "private world" because I think writing can help create that. It is just a way for one's own thoughts to come to life, even if no one else sees them.
Why do I Write??
I basically write for only one reason and that is for the assignments I receive in my classes. I am not much of a free writer and I do not write in my spare time. I feel like sometimes I should, in order to better understand myself. Also I feel as though it could be beneficial so that I can see how I was thinking at that particular moment. It seems as though my thoughts are very negotiable, as my opinions and perceptions can be swayed depending upon how I feel. I like to be unpredictable because I feel as if I do come predictable it is to easy for people to read me and understand who I am. I like to keep people on their toes and always wondering what I will do next. I believe writing can ultimately help me discover who I really am as a person.
Why Write? in class assignment
There are many types of art forms and one of them happens to be writing. There are many uses for writing and help an individual express themselves. Some write to say things they normally couldn't say outloud, some write in journals as a way of therapy, some write to get noticed (such as an author), while others write only when forced to do so. I think writing is a very unique way of expressing yourself whether it be through a blog such as this or a fiction story you write solely for fun. It can be very helpful in exposing one's vocabulary, practicing grammar and puncuation or researching and expanding on a new idea.
Why Write?
The most obvious and excellent answer I can think of to this simple question is that we write to communicate. Wether to tell a fact, or a lie, create a story or take a note. All of the things we write are for communication. Whatever we write is always meant to be used. Wether to remind ourselves, or to inform others, our writing tells somone something. I find that writing is often the most simple form of communication because it is literal and everthing about it is pronounced. Writing is how the world saves and trades information with others and with future generations. So if you ask me “Why Write?” I would have to say because without written language we’d never have gotten to this point as a species, let alone as individuals.
In Class- Why Write?
Writing to me is a form of speaking. Sometimes if you write down all the thoughts and ideas that are going through your head and you write them down and go back to them it will help you logically understand how you were feeling or thinking. If you write down thoughts and ideas, you are more likely to organize them better. We learn through all different kinds of writings. Anything we read in our everyday lives makes us more intelligent. If no one ever wrote things down we would not know anything. But becuase people write books, articles, journals, blogs ect. We all gain knowledge from that. Overall, it makes us wiser and brighter as an individual human being.
Why Write?
Writing is another form of communication from the writer to the reader(s). Sometimes thoughts and words one would normally speak to one another is better be written down just incase the person can't get that thought out quite yet. I write alot of things down all the time in books, notes, homework, tests, because trying to remember them doesn't work out. However I do feel that writing is a more formal way of speaking, as well as a way to get information down that is important that you do not want to forget no matter what.
Why Write?
People write for many different reasons. Writing is a way for a person to put ideas and thoughts or information on paper so that other people can read it and gain information from what was written. People write as a way to communicate and share news with each other, whether it is electronically or pen and paper. Others may write simply because it is enjoyable for them. While for some writing is a way to express yourself through your words. This form of self expression could be through the story of a novel by the writer having one simple idea and expanding on that to create a plot and details. Another way would be if someone was very passionate about a cause or a specific topic, writing about it would make people more aware of something that they were not before. This could be enough to persuade someone to see the writer’s side and possibly agree with the writer.
Why Write?
There are many reasons to write, more than can be covered in 125 words. But more important reasons are commutation, and for recorded history. You can write to get your message across to someone or to a group of people. It’s a way to show them what you’re thinking or what you know. Writing for recorded history is tremendously important, it’s a way to learn from the past culture and events. Writing can also follow a more entertaining route. We write down our stories fiction and non, and past them down from generation to generation. A lot of the time people write just to remember certain thoughts they had, to later go over them or use them as notes for a writing they are working on.
why write?
I write because I have a lot going on in my head. If I were to just leave it all there, jumbled together, the confusing mess it is, I would never know exactly what I was thinking or feeling. Writing for me can be liberating. Writing can free the mind from all the questions and concerns it has. It's like when people tell you to write a letter to that someone you are mad at or whatever, but don't give the letter to them, just throw it away. The act of physically writing it down, putting everything out there on the table, discovering new emotions and questions along the way, is enough that actually sending the letter to that someone is no longer necessary.
I think that is a great example of writing's liberating capabilities. Sometimes I even avoid writing because I know that along the way I will put something down that maybe I don't want to deal with at the moment. That is the beauty about writing, everything you feel/want to say is already in your head you just haven't discovered what it means or maybe you just didn't have the courage to address it, but writing forces you to. Writing is very powerful that way.
Plus, sometimes saying things aloud just isn't enough to get people to understand your point, see your side, know how you feel, etc. Writing for me can be far more structured and thought out than spoken word. Sometimes I get flustered or I just can't come up with the right thing to say, so writing allows me to take my time and devise meaningful and clear thoughts.
I think that is a great example of writing's liberating capabilities. Sometimes I even avoid writing because I know that along the way I will put something down that maybe I don't want to deal with at the moment. That is the beauty about writing, everything you feel/want to say is already in your head you just haven't discovered what it means or maybe you just didn't have the courage to address it, but writing forces you to. Writing is very powerful that way.
Plus, sometimes saying things aloud just isn't enough to get people to understand your point, see your side, know how you feel, etc. Writing for me can be far more structured and thought out than spoken word. Sometimes I get flustered or I just can't come up with the right thing to say, so writing allows me to take my time and devise meaningful and clear thoughts.
In Class: Why Write?
I think it is important to write in order to convey one's thoughts and feeling. It is a means for someone to make a point which is tangible for everyone to visualize as well as understand the meaning behind what the author is trying to say. Writing also helps people to release everything they have bottled up inside. It is very cathartic. It is also important for keeping records of things that are important or were once important to someone or some culture. Writing helps people come together all around the world. If writing did not exist and we only communicated to one another through word of mouth, then many people all around the world would be limited to half stories which have been changed a thousand times over the years.
In class blog, why write?
I feel that there are many different answers to this question and I feel that every single person in the world is going to have a different response to it. I feel that writing things allows you to express your ideas and your opinion and anything that you want. And you just want to get your opinion down on paper and also you want to share it other people. You want them to read what you write and see if they have any comments for you or anything to add or even something that they do not agree with. A very good way to get your voice heard is to write it down and publish it and share it with the world to see what you were thinking about or what was on your mind. alot of people just need to get something off their chest and one of the best ways is to just write it down.
A&P - For Last Week.
I can definitely relate to this short story as I have worked in a grocery store for five years. I work at Kroger back in my hometown, which is about 2 and ½ hours away from Kent. I have kept my job and seniority for the past years and I plan to stay with the company while I continue to get my education.
In my days of working a lot of what is said I could relate too. When working in the summer it is usually slow and I wait at my register scoping my store for any good-looking girls my age. As he mentioned the store is like a pinball machine, you may spot a cutie and then she is gone and you never know where she is going to pop back up. If I were in this particular situation, I would have handled it differently, instead of quitting. I too would have told the girls to cover themselves up when they come to my store because they were not at the beach. This may be because I have been an employee for such a long time and I do not care as much if I tell people how it is because the truth is what people need.
Overall, I cannot believe that he quit because his manager embarrassed the girls, and the fact that his mom and dad were family friends of the managers. It really just does not make much sense, and it almost seems as though he wanted to quit in the first place and was looking for an excuse. In the end, he is left with his white shirt, no job and no girls.
In my days of working a lot of what is said I could relate too. When working in the summer it is usually slow and I wait at my register scoping my store for any good-looking girls my age. As he mentioned the store is like a pinball machine, you may spot a cutie and then she is gone and you never know where she is going to pop back up. If I were in this particular situation, I would have handled it differently, instead of quitting. I too would have told the girls to cover themselves up when they come to my store because they were not at the beach. This may be because I have been an employee for such a long time and I do not care as much if I tell people how it is because the truth is what people need.
Overall, I cannot believe that he quit because his manager embarrassed the girls, and the fact that his mom and dad were family friends of the managers. It really just does not make much sense, and it almost seems as though he wanted to quit in the first place and was looking for an excuse. In the end, he is left with his white shirt, no job and no girls.
Why I Write?
Why I write by Joan Didion was an interesting article. I agree that when you start to think about why you write it has that position that you want to impose yourself to someone. It's interesting to think that it can actually be aggressive writing because your putting your words/thoughts down on paper meaning it can in fact sound harsh or even so subtle that one might not pick up on the crudeness of your own writings. I like How Joan goes on to state in this reading because it seems to be proving that writing in such manner is aggressive. She states her facts sound and clear. To me personally I feel that Joan was more agressive to the self rather than to the reader or person who would interperet the reading. Joan uses many phrases like "I didn't, I won't, I can't," which I think can give the reader that aggressiveness of the writer towards them self.
Why I Write
In our reading selection this week, Joan Didion talks about why she writes. I like how, at the beginning of her essay, she says that writing is almost a hostile act, telling people to listen to you and change their mind to see it my way. I thought that was a very good explanation of the purpose of writing something. Subconsciously, I’ve found myself doing this exact thing; trying to sway the reader to my side.
Why?
My favorite part of this article was the idea that the writer is infiltrating the readers mind, their most private space. Putting ideas into peoples heads, and using abstract concepts to come up with your writings.
Taking abstract thoughts and tieing them to real things is what I usually what I do just the same as our auther this week. I like how she decides to travel around to get inspiration and gather ideas and concepts to help her write. It makes me happy to think that someone has such a passion about them to work for their art.
Using picture to express ones thoughts in the mind is such a great analogy for what actually happens to me when I attempt to write. In the long run though, it makes sense that no one knows what process writers use. However, going to the extent of writing a novel is sort of silly.
Taking abstract thoughts and tieing them to real things is what I usually what I do just the same as our auther this week. I like how she decides to travel around to get inspiration and gather ideas and concepts to help her write. It makes me happy to think that someone has such a passion about them to work for their art.
Using picture to express ones thoughts in the mind is such a great analogy for what actually happens to me when I attempt to write. In the long run though, it makes sense that no one knows what process writers use. However, going to the extent of writing a novel is sort of silly.
Why I Write.
In this week's reading, Joan Didion talks about her reasoning behind writing. She states that her inspirations come to her through things that puzzle her. Things that make her think why, who, what, and where. I think this was a very good perspective on writing. It makes it more interesting for the audience and for the writer as well. This style of writing gives people the effect of what she called "white space". White space allows for the audience to draw up there own conclusions and make their own assumptionsof what is going on with the character or the story. This style like she stated is not abstract, it just allows for the audience to draw their own opinions. There are no double meanings when she talked about the lights on the bevatron. She literally just wanted to know if the lights were on in the bevatron. I think its a simpler form of writing but is just as effective.
Why I write
"I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking, what I'm looking at, what I see and what it means." I love this quote by Didion. I think this quote rings very true to most writers (and when I say "writers" I mean anyone who feels compelled to put words onto paper). I know that when I choose to write, maybe in a journal for example, it is a process that unfolds as I am actually writing. I discover what it is I really want to say, what I truly feel, what I think I understand and what I still feel unsure about.
If you've yet to create a picture in your mind, full of images and words and actions then you can't possibly write meaningful, passionate work. Everything will just be useless words designed to make the reader happy when indeed writing is really "the act of saying I," so the writer has to have an image in their mind already in order to create the voice of "I." That is waht Didion is saying, that we have to have a story in our mind about the way we think things should be except that the image in our mind is incomplete and so we write to uncover the answers/meanings of our mind. If we already knew the answers, we would have no business writing in the first place.
That voice of "I" is exactly what Johnny Cash talks about in his interview. He was told he was a "song stylist" becasue he took another singer's song and made it his own. He stayed true to himself. Cash heard the song with his ears one way and in his mind another and so he sang it in a way that would make it unique to him. Cash had no way of knowing how acceptable his way would be until he actually put it out there.
If you've yet to create a picture in your mind, full of images and words and actions then you can't possibly write meaningful, passionate work. Everything will just be useless words designed to make the reader happy when indeed writing is really "the act of saying I," so the writer has to have an image in their mind already in order to create the voice of "I." That is waht Didion is saying, that we have to have a story in our mind about the way we think things should be except that the image in our mind is incomplete and so we write to uncover the answers/meanings of our mind. If we already knew the answers, we would have no business writing in the first place.
That voice of "I" is exactly what Johnny Cash talks about in his interview. He was told he was a "song stylist" becasue he took another singer's song and made it his own. He stayed true to himself. Cash heard the song with his ears one way and in his mind another and so he sang it in a way that would make it unique to him. Cash had no way of knowing how acceptable his way would be until he actually put it out there.
A&P
1. I interpreted the ending as Sammy having a quick reality check of what he had just done. Looking back at the store, he realized that he really had just quit his job because he wanted to impress the girls that had gotten yelled at for wearing only bathing suites into the store. After he quit he realized that the girls did not care that he quit because Lengel had embarassed them and since he knew Sammy's parents, Sammy probably knew that his parents were not going to be pleased at all about the situation.
2. I disagree with Gilbert Porter because the Sammy overreacted somewhat to the situation. He quit because Lengel told the girls that they were innapropriately dressed and needed to wear clothes over their bathing suits. Lengel wasn't embarassing the girls because they should have had shoes and clothes on. Sammy just wanted to impress the girls by sticking up for them and then by quitting. Only to realize that the girls did not care and were gone by the time he walked out.
4. The story was very descriptive and had many details. The specific details helped me actually picture the story as I was reading it. All the descriptions relate to the story's identity because they are all from Sammy's point of view and everything that he saw, with out any other person's side of the story.
2. I disagree with Gilbert Porter because the Sammy overreacted somewhat to the situation. He quit because Lengel told the girls that they were innapropriately dressed and needed to wear clothes over their bathing suits. Lengel wasn't embarassing the girls because they should have had shoes and clothes on. Sammy just wanted to impress the girls by sticking up for them and then by quitting. Only to realize that the girls did not care and were gone by the time he walked out.
4. The story was very descriptive and had many details. The specific details helped me actually picture the story as I was reading it. All the descriptions relate to the story's identity because they are all from Sammy's point of view and everything that he saw, with out any other person's side of the story.
Why I Write by Joan Didion
The way Joan Didion described writing was very different. It made me think of writing as actually interesting rather than somewhat boring. She explains it as a way of getting your point across to other people and getting them to listen to you in a completely different way. You can make the reader listen to you, make a point and persuade people to see your side, and cover up any aggressiveness towards the reader just in the words you choose and the way you arrange those words on the paper.
"Why I Write" was a very good title for Joan Didion's, even though she stole it. It stated in three words what she was going to tell you with a very good explanation. She did make me want to keep reading what she had to say like when she talks about shimmer and all the descriptions of pictures in the mind. She describes what goes on in her head while shes writing and how she makes sense of the pictures in her mind. I thought it was really interesting not only why but how Joan Didion writes. How she starts from the pictures she has, which have no meaning yet, with out any idea what the plot is even going to be. Then with however many pictures she has she makes them into pieces of the novel and builds off of them. With all those pieces she fits them all together on paper and turns it into a novel.
"Why I Write" was a very good title for Joan Didion's, even though she stole it. It stated in three words what she was going to tell you with a very good explanation. She did make me want to keep reading what she had to say like when she talks about shimmer and all the descriptions of pictures in the mind. She describes what goes on in her head while shes writing and how she makes sense of the pictures in her mind. I thought it was really interesting not only why but how Joan Didion writes. How she starts from the pictures she has, which have no meaning yet, with out any idea what the plot is even going to be. Then with however many pictures she has she makes them into pieces of the novel and builds off of them. With all those pieces she fits them all together on paper and turns it into a novel.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Why I Write- Joan Didion
I like how she talks about how “She” writes in her papers, and I like the way she talks about grammar being “shimmer” it gives you a perspective that the grammar and the way your pronounce things makes a difference in a paper and changes the way you read a paper as well. The way she speaks about a picture giving her all the answers, and she isn’t the one looking for the answer. She sees a picture and narrates about it. It almost like she has an idea and a place and a picture all in her mind, and then she makes up a story and people to go along with it. Like the lady at the airport she made up, but she really did go to an airport. I think the fact that she didn’t know who any of these people were explain to her why she made the title of this “Why I Write” because she is the one making up all these different people. Not so much how she writes.
New Media Literacies
The new media literacies is a set of skills that everyone needs to use in today's culture; to function in the current media environment. Whether it's a computer, cellphone, we are constantly interacting with an ever-changing, high-paced technological culture. These skills will help society become creative artists, better citizens, and good workers in society. Before other modes of media, consumers really had to pay attention to what was being conveyed. During the 90s, everyone apparently retired to Portland when they were young and put birds on things as art. Nowadays, people are becoming the consumers and producers of their own artwork and blogs, via internet, etc. People are their creators to what they want conveyed. Instead of interpreting the different artists, we ourselves are the metaphoric artists. We are now finding out that we have to tap into our own identities. These skills are for the real-world. They are used to help us find ourselves in a manner of expressing who we are in a societal environment.
Two Readings and a Couple Videos....
The point of the readings and videos we read and watched this week are directly related to the class theme of identity. Why I Write by George Orwell, in my opinion, dealt with what exactly influenced him to become the writer that he eventually became and how writing is horrible but there is something about writing which drove him to keep writing otherwise he probably would not have. Why I Write by Joan Didion also dealt with her personal style of writing which apparently was more about remembering and describing exact details than about the deeper meaning behind it all. The video New Media Literacies had people from MIT talking about how the media world is rapidly changing pace from producers and consumers being totally separate entities to the producer and consumer being one in the same using mediums like YouTube and Facebook to get their ideas to the rest of the world. The final video was a short interview with the awesome Johnny Cash. He talked about how a teacher told him not to try and imitate anyone but to make any song his own. I think that all of these materials brought up a good point on how we as individuals need to find our individual voice as a writer or a person in general.
Why I Write
I thought the interview with cash was a very cool little thing to watch. He was just explaining how when he would sing other peoples songs he would sing them in his own way. He knew it was not his song, and he knew he would not be able to sing the song like the original singers could, but he just wanted to sing it in his own way and he became very famous doing that. As long as you do things in your own way and not the same way other people do it, you are making yourself stand out and get noticed. If he would have just tried to copy how the original person sang it, then noone would have wanted to llisten to him. But since he did it his own way, he became very popular.
The other short video was about the new medias that people are dealing with today. It was a lot different back in the day but now everyone has so many different ways of getting in touch with someone else. And people are learning new things and trying to create new ways of media and to get information or advertisement out every single day.
After reading the “why I write” I was left a bit confused. At the end she had the twist that she really had no idea why people write and if she did she wouldn’t have to write novels about it. She was writing her novels based off a picture that she had in her mind and wrote based off that
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