Twouble with Twitter

A YouTube video entitled "Twouble with Twitter" is perfectly hilarious. One skeptical young male does not understand the fascination with Twitter, so his friend takes him to the Twittersphere. The twenty-something male smart enough to question the sanity of Twitter's users spends the entire visit to the unrealistic virtual world. He questions why people find it necessary to post every detail of their lives, and chuckles at the idea that people become Twitter celebrities. I am very skeptical of Twitter, and do not understand why people find it necessary to update their tweets multiple times a day. I enjoy Facebook, and I admit I access the site more than is probably healthy; however, I never take the time to post every detail of my life. Twitter takes privacy and mystery away from its users. I never have wondered who my audience is on Twitter, because I know it is only people in my composition class (or more specifically, only my professor) who have any interest in my tweets about what text people wear. As for other online environments where I write, I never feel differently about who may read what I type. However, I am very careful about what I post online. My relationship to people online is similar to my relationship with them in real life, because I use it simply as a means of communication when we cannot physically be together or talk. I primarily only use Facebook, and I am sure to only be friends with people who I actually know in real life. This eliminates any concern about who may be reading what I post.

The animated video presents logical questions about the online world that Twitter creates. Many active users of Twitter detail every minute of their lives in short bursts of 140 characters or less. I would not go as far as to say that Twitter cannot be a valuable tool; however, the way a majority of active tweeters use the site is concerning. Online security continues to become a bigger issue, and posting every minute of your life for any Internet user to read can be really scary. I think the purpose of microblogging is to communicate with friends in an online space, but the actual use of microblogging is quite different. Sites such as Twitter and Tumblr allow anyone to follow your account, so ensuring privacy becomes a challenge. I liked how throughout the entire video the one male remained skeptical, because I think a common misconception today is that every teenager willingly participates in every social media site. Unfortunately, many people do rely on social networking sites to make themselves happy and feel accepted. But an issue with computers is they allow for anyone, anywhere to pretend to be whoever they wish. I'm in the same boat as the skeptical cartoon. Society must be careful what they post for the world to see.

Rodney Jones Argument

Jones begins his poem Hubris at Zunzal by mentioning the power of language. He claims there is "no image like the image of language," which I interpret to mean that language is more powerful than any other form of communication. He continues the poem describing one night in 1984 that he was on the water, and uses words to paint an image in the reader's imagination. His careful selection of action verbs such as wading and dumped make his poem powerful. Rodney Jones seems to agree that an image of his evening on the water would not be as powerful as his careful description. In earlier posts, you can learn how skeptical I am about images forming arguments. An argument needs to be clear and distinct for it to be effective, and I believe that Jones is correct in stating that language is the only accurate way to distinctly portray anything. I like how he says that language is its tracer, it referring to the night he is remembering. Today many people rely on social media and images to hold on to their memories, but this poem reminds society that language is just as powerful, if not more so.

After reading this poem for the first time, I did not feel he wrote it with the intention of making an argument. It reads as a memory of a night he will never forget, even though it only lives on in his head. An image, or even an array of images, cannot accurately display the power of the ocean. Jones writes about how after dropping the coconut shell into the ocean, it would come right back. For anyone who as ever taken the time to see the beauty of the ocean, they would agree that a picture cannot do it justice. Rodney places language on the same level as the ocean in a way, stating that language is the only way to portray such as beautiful night. He almost puts language on a pedestal, by putting down images before he begins to explain a night that is over two decades ago. I find Jones' approach interesting and intriguing; this poem forced me to reconsider the power of words.

Advice

I feel like I am too young to give other writer's advice. In order to give advice about writing and success, one must consider themselves a writer. I am not a writer; however, I can give advice related to succeeding in the class. Koertge suggests going to the library, and I strongly agree. Whether you're in a composition class, math course, or history class, the library is where you will be most successful. The silence allows you to focus on your assignments and get your work done. The largest challenge in college is finding motivation. Those who succeed are determined, not brilliant. Never be afraid to be the class geek or nerd. Nerds rule the world, just tell yourself that. Laziness will get you no where in life.

My next bit of advice relates to writing itself. Just because you take composition does not guarantee you will become a writer. I may never enjoy writing, but I do it. Life consists of challenges that you may not enjoy or participate in, but you have nothing to lose by participating and doing your work. Although this class did not make me a passionate writer, I accept the fact that this course is required for graduation and could be much worse. Dr. Lay does not ask for much, so do the work that she assigns whether you like the assignment or not. I think that is the best advice I can give.

Are the four letter word projects writing?

I do not consider the four letter word projects writing because they should not include words.  I say they should not include words, simply because many of my peers found ways to sneak words into their videos. The four letter word projects are expressions, not arguments or writing. They convey a message. A successful project evokes emotion, whether positive or negative. The four letter word projects served a purpose, but not the intended purpose for the assignment. Rather the videos prove that a group of images can be powerful, even influential. An argument should be distinct however, with no confusion between viewers. The power of the videos is that each viewer can interpret the meaning in their own way. It's like watching a television show or movie. Every viewer gets something different from the same movie, but a different reaction does not make the movie any less powerful.

Writing to me is a form of expression. Words have the ability to be ordered, almost scientifically, to give an exact meaning. The four letter word projects were intended to form a visual argument. An argument must be clear, distinct, and easy to understand. Images provide a viewer with room for interpretation, whereas words should give little wiggle room for interpretation. Words are exact, and whatever emotion, argument, or point the author hopes to make has the ability to be clear. I believe that images alone lack the ability to make a distinct argument.

Do I really think people read my text or my tweets?

When I wear clothing with text, I expect most people that I come in contact with to take the time to read it. I never wear elaborate clothing with song lyrics or a poem, instead I wear clothing with either a school name or a short, meaningful phrase. Maybe I am crazy for reading everyone's text on their clothes, but I believe most people do. It is human nature to read clothing because it often serves some purpose. People wear clothing that represents who they are. I wear Hofstra clothing, tennis sweatshirts, a marching band jacket, or clothes with short, thoughtful phrases because they represent me. This is not say that no one wears clothing that has no meaning to them (in my hometown, Goodwill clothing is becoming popular). I consider myself to be a very observant person, so I likely read clothing more than my peers. However, I often have conversations with friends and acquaintances about text on clothing. I do not think jewelry or tattoos have quite the same effect, because they are harder to see and read.

The world of Twitter is very different. When I tweet, I only expect Professor Lay to read what I write. My tweets consist solely of my observations of text; therefore, my 10 other followers likely have no interest. I do not like the writing space Twitter provides which is why I choose not to use it socially. Most people expect only there followers to read their tweets, whether they are a high school student or a celebrity. Tweets are successful at portraying a meaning, but in many cases people have no interest in what others have on their mind. It is much easier to post a tweet into the virtual world than it is to wear clothing with meaningful text.

Crayon Writing Transcribed

Vickie JS
"I believe that flexibility  of voice leads to a flexibility in all things" (194).
This can be true because someone with many voices can integrate into many different places, which exposes a person to several lifestyles.

a shaded scribble in blue crayon is to the left of the paper.

a four bubble cloud is drawn in blue on the left of the paper.

three music notes are in the middle of the paper. two single notes and one set of half notes.

Crayon Response

Vickie's response to Zadie Smith was short and sweet. She chose to write a one sentence responses, as if she was responding on a note card with a pencil. The blue crayon served no beneficial purpose, other than it is likely her favorite color or only crayon left. The only images on the page are a cloud like object, 3 music notes, and a little blue scribble. The crayons lack of influence on her writing demonstrates that she feels the text should speak for itself. The abundance of crayons and colors are just for show, and add nothing to her writing. I believe that if Vickie wrote in a pen or a pencil she would have been more expressive. A one sentence response in seven minutes does not take much effort or time. Vickie usually puts much thought into her work, and I find her writing to be beautiful. This response, to be honest, is quite lame. It shows no depth and no real analysis, even though the writer is capable of writing more. The elementary writing object forced her to write as if she was still in grade school.
Knowing Vickie's capabilities, this writing is no good at all. The images provide no meaning, and seem to have no relation to the words she wrote. Her response is about the length of Zadie Smith's quote, and any good writer knows that for every quote, you should have at least three full sentences of analysis. Her response was the easy route, and from what I remember from elementary school, everyone likes to take the easy route. Even one of the best students in the class. To be honest, I do not know if this writing is considered good. I believe the reader should have that say, and because I was given little content and no real analysis, I would not consider this writing good.

Conclusion of Speaking in Tongues

Throughout her essay, Zadie Smith spends much time discussing and analyzing President Obama's rhetoric. As a multiracial American herself, she wants other minority groups to hold on to their culture and preserve their language. I believe she recognizes why Obama's speech has transformed since he was just 17, but she seems disgusted with Americas political system. She writes, "for reasons that are obscure to me, those qualities we cherish in our artists we condemn in our politicians" (Smith 189). Those qualities she is referring to is a strong sense of self, many voices and perspectives. In terms of speech, she struggles to understand why society does not seem to cherish culturally rounded individuals who stand strong in their culture. The rhetoric of a politician must be cookie-cutter. Every successful politician must proclaim their love for God and believe Americans are superior (190). If the American people began electing culturally diverse representatives, American's may lose their sense of superiority to the rest of the world. Smith supports this change, as many should. Politicians are forced to change their accent, lose their slang, and speak so-called perfect English. If artists were this mainstream, they would have no following, few supporters. Artists are encouraged to be bold, stand out from the crowd.

Smith strongly disagrees with the cliched molds that society has formed for politicians and poets. She calls the reasons for a distinction between the two 'obscure' and spends the essay discussing the importance of other languages (189). I like her discussion of Dream City, where many voices fit together. Smith again relates herself to the President, because they both come from a Dream City. Obama was careful throughout his campaign to always say 'we' as opposed to 'I', hoping to prove he is like many Americans (184). Although Smith thinks having multiple cultures and languages is a positive thing, I think she does want a distinction between poets and politicians. I do not think she supports the current political system, but if poets and politicians were one in the same society would never function the same. It is important for political leaders to be relatable, and I think that Smith suggests throughout her essay that coming from Dream City is common, even normal. Politicians should not change who they are to fit societies mold, they should be honest and true to themselves.

Speaking in Tongues Questions

1. Zadie Smith claims, "voice adaption is still the original British sin" (Smith 180). She devotes her entire essay to discussing the loss of many groups of people losing their native dialects, but why does she choose to start with the British? Why is voice adaption a British sin, and not a sin of every minority group in America? Or does Smith simply want to use the British as her first example of a group that often loses their dialect?

2. The essay Speaking in Tongues includes a few examples from other author's books or essays. On page 181, Smith documents the different voice of a girl who lost herself while losing her original voice. Does Smith mean to categorize everyone who loses their original dialect in the same category as this girl who ultimately loses her self? Or is this example meant to prove a point, that the possibility exists?

3. Smith spends much time using President Obama as an example throughout her essay. She took the time to record how Obama spoke when he was just 17 (as documented by himself) simply to make a stronger argument (Smith182-3). She seems to want her reader to relate to Obama, but over the last few years of his presidency, Obama has had a relatively low support rate.Why do you think Smith chose to use Barack Obama as a main example? Does she feel many people can relate with the leader of our country, or do you think that she wanted to use someone who is widely known?

4. Zadie spends time in her essay mentioning her ethnicity, and how she feels she can relate to President Obama. Many people mistake Obama as the first 'black' president, when in fact he is biracial, like Smith (Smith 187). Why do you think Smith took the time to ensure that her reader understood her racial background when discussing dialect? Regardless of skin color, anyone can talk in a non-traditional tongue. Does Smith really care about Obama's skin color, or more about the fact that he has changed the way in which he speaks over his lifetime?

5. Zadie notes the difference in American expectations for politicians versus artists. She claims that the American people "look for the many-colored voice, the multiple sensibility"  when selecting our favorite artists (Smith 189). For a politician to be successful, he or she must have a strong, powerful voice. Why do Americans have different expectations for artists and politicians? Do we view one group above another? In society today, is it still viewed negatively if an American speaks in a different nations dialect?

6. Smith ends her essay with an example of a German man who called her from Harlem speaking with a stereotypical German accent (Smith 193-4). Does Smith believe that Americans view all whites as so-called American speakers, and only racial minorities have different dialects? Or does Smith mention this as simply a reminder, because she spends a majority of her essay discussing the differences between black and white dialects?

What I really think about Twitter...

What I really think about the writing space that twitter affords is that innovators are desperate to get anyone involved in the social media craze. Few people use Twitter simply because it limits the user to 140 characters. In fact, many people who do not enjoy Twitter (such as myself) think the character restriction is a pain. Writing should allow for the author to freely express their thoughts, without a length restriction. New forms of social media are constantly created, and Twitter is nothing more than a popular form of social media. A positive writing space should allow for the author to freely express their thoughts and feelings, or whatever may be on their mind. Twitter demonstrates that power of technology, by controlling users. Many students have had a teacher who preaches "no filler words, no fluff," but 140 characters is less than two full sentences. The small space forces many users to form acronyms to help maximize the space. It reminds me of the beginning of texting, when a majority of users shortened every word to make the most of their texting plans. Young users began talking in a similar manner, making the educated American youth sound uninformed. 
Every form of social media has its limitations, but the sole purpose of Twitter is to 'tweet.' With other sites, restricting the writing space would be less of an issue because users also upload photo's and videos, or directly communicate with other users. Twitter allows for pictures to be tweeted or tweets to be retweeted, but few people would list Twitter as the best form of all around social media communication. Twitter should reconsider the limited writing space it provides to see if the number of active users increases. 

Why people wear text.

I'm not sure why so many people wear texts on their clothing and on their skin.  Perhaps they feel that such portable writing allows for any person they see have an understanding of why they are and what they stand for. Many students who wear text opt for clothing with subtle messages. A majority of people will wear clothing from their alma mater or a jersey that supports a favorite sports team. It comes as no surprise that most of the worn text is on clothing, as opposed to tattooed on the skin. I find it interesting to note that few people I observed wearing text on their clothing sported meaningful phrases or quotes; whereas, few tattoos lack a deeper meaning. I struggle to understand the purpose of a tattoo, but the handful of tattoos that I observed over the last semester held much deeper meanings. People brave enough to permanently ink their bodies are brave, fearless. It's the wimps who settle for bracelets or jewelry with meaningful messages. 
Looking at my peers tweets, I found that many people chose to tweet funny phrases or thought-provoking messages that people wore on their clothing. In my opinion, a tattoo is more eye-catching then a t-shirt; however, the most memorable texts are the ones that make me laugh. It forced me to think about society today. Quite a few people are brave enough to wear shirts with absurd sayings, but very few would ever even consider putting the same saying on their body. It also makes me wonder, do people ever tattoo funny sayings on their bodies and just place them where few will ever see? Whatever the case, text is nothing more than a form of expression. I prefer to express myself through my clothing rather than tattoos or jewelry, but any form of text worth wearing has a purpose. 

The Problem of Describing Trees

 Haas makes a very broad argument in his short, scattered poem. He argues that trees are too complex for their description to be put into words. Based on his stanza of suggestions as to what a tree is, Haas is confused. His argument is broad because he is unsure of exactly what is main point is. He seems annoyed by people who can describe a tree in a short phrase, because they are far too complex. I did not understand why Haas focused an entire stanza on what some may say an adequate description of a tree may be. This poem demonstrates that words cannot always form a successful argument; however, an image would not be any more powerful. The ability to arrange words in a descriptive pattern that makes sense to the average reader is a talent. After reading this poem, Haas lacks this skill.
Towards the end of his poem, Haas incorporates italics, almost to prove that he does have writing skill. I believe Haas recognizes that his poem can be read as a little scatterbrained, so he attempts to cover his mistakes by including a thought provoking phrase. By forcing the reader to analyze his argument, Haas makes his broad point much stronger. I believe he means to say that if a tree could speak, it would expect everyone to see the deeper beauty in a tree. A dance is not straight-forward, it allows for thought and reflection. A tree deserves the same respect, as Haas tries to convey.

Four letter word

four letter word project

Unfortunately, my four letter word project cannot be uploaded because of conversion errors (or so it tells me). Hopefully you were in class to see my STOP video argument.

can images be more powerful than words?

The power of images cannot be described. "A picture is worth 1,000 words" is the cliched saying about the power of words, but it holds an immense truth. Images of extreme  conditions, whether tragic or brilliant, are often indescribable by words alone. Emotions and expressions speak louder than words. Tears tell their own story. I think of an image of a starving African boy, too frail to move, with a single tear drop on his face. A twenty page paper could not successfully describe the young boys struggles and battle to survive. The opposite also proves true. Laughter and joy can be indescribable. Words cannot compete with an image of an elderly couple laughing together, beaming with happiness. Their story of love and laughter cannot be summed up in a paragraph, paper, or even a novel. Even the most descriptive writer will miss details that one can observe looking at an image. There is this indescribable beauty that comes from combining the perfect combination of words and images. Words can help focus on a specific aspect of an image that may be overlooked without guidance, yet images provide the opportunity for the reader to find interest in an aspect that the writer may have not noticed.

girl / boy equivalences

GIRL
gal
chick
lady
woman
child
sister
daughter
lass
miss

BOY
male
bro
man
brother
fellow
lad
son
dude

Rhetorical Moves

I keep thinking about my project 3 and I'm pretty sure my next rhetorical move will be to expand on my abundance of metaphors. In my rough draft, I focused on incorporating as many creative metaphors as I could, yet I failed to actually explain the deeper meaning behind a majority of them. I think allowing myself to simply explain myself and my story will let my reader understand more about my place. After I expand on the rhetorical moves I have already used, I will compare my place in an abstract way to the essay entitled "Gettysburg Regress." By proving to my reader that my writing is not obscure and useless, it will help to solidify my essay.

Meddy's Video

Inventing Meddy S posted an interesting youtube video on their blog. The short video began with a baby properly operating an iPad (although I believe it was being held upside down). A series of shots then showed the baby struggling to turn a magazine page because it did not operate in the same way technology did. This video relates to class because it shows how society is moving away from the late age of print and into a new generation of writers that will only appreciate technological writing. I chuckled when the video ended, and the filmmaker commented on the effect Steve Jobs will forever have on society. The baby expected the magazine to operate like the iPad, something she learned how to operate. Ironically, a few decades ago technology was critiqued for not being user friendly, and today children view print media in the same fashion. A new generation of reading and writing is beginning, as the youth of society will continue to prove.

Why does punctuation matter?

Punctuation matters because it is part of the English language. The article discussed that for nearly 5,000 years punctuation was non-existent. Although this is a fact, today punctuation is necessary for our language to be the same. When I read a writing that is incorrectly punctuated, I assume the author is unintelligent or uninformed. But realistically, a lack of punctuation is due to laziness. People do not take pride in their work, so they slack of instead of learning the basis of the English language. I do not assume that an author's content is flawed when a paper is incorrectly punctuated, but for me it becomes a distraction. Missing or misplaced commas irritate me, because punctuation matters. Without punctuation, our language would not be the same. Punctuation helps the reader feel the flow to the writing, while it allows the writer to separate his or her thoughts.

Peer Review

I am peer reviewing a colleagues draft of project three, and my first reaction is that this draft is a solid starting point. The author used great examples to support her argument that Philadelphia in the eyes of a local looks nothing like Philadelphia through the eyes of a tourist. To make her paper stronger, I recommend that she uses more rhetorical moves, such as incorporating similes and metaphors to make her examples stronger. Starting in the first paragraph, she successfully used parenthesis helping her to accent what is important about her points. If she takes her strong examples and elaborates upon them her Philadelphia paper will form a strong argument that the reader will enjoy reading.

project 3

I've been thinking about m own draft for project three and I have to tell you Dr. Lay that I am not proud of my essay. This assignment did not come naturally to me. I struggled to find a place that is two shades of grey. My personification and similes might sound forced, because throughout most of the essay, they are.

A sentence starts out like...

A sentence starts out like the beginning of a wooden roller coaster. It takes time to load all of the passengers and check for safety, like it takes time to compile the ideas for a sentence and ensure that the content makes sense within the context of the writing. A sentence begins slowly. Roller coasters seem to take forever to reach the top of the first hill. The suspense is often nerve wracking and uncomfortable, just like the beginning of a sentence. By the end of the ride, passengers are excited, and often want to take another ride. Once a writer finishes a good sentence, they are anxious to start their next one. Over time, a writer may even be brave enough to try other roller coaster, maybe less shaky as they work their way to smooth, steel roller coasters.

What is Michael Wesch's argument?

Michael Wesch's video argues that technology has more of an impact on youth than traditional forms of learning. Students wrote using pen and paper to provide statistics about their education, their time, their priorities. Every few points were written on a laptop, a detail that caught my attention. Wesch argues that society is beginning to change, but he recognizes it will take time. The fact that not every student was using a laptop in class to make their statements represents this fact perfectly. I found the video to be a unique and creative way to make the viewer think. I thought about my education, my priorities, my time. The video noted that the information is on the blackboard, and is always at the front of the classroom. Even as technology progresses, teachers will always hold the information students need. The way we receive the information is what will continue to change over time.

My relationship with my reader

I often don't know my reader, beyond my teacher for an assigned piece. I rarely write with a single reader in mind, because i recognize that my audience changes. I fear my reader. I hold back, fearing harsh judgments. The more effort I put into my writing, the more vulnerable I feel, the more nervous I become when others read my work. I work to fill my pages with colorful descriptions and powerful verbs, trying to impress my reader in a way. My relationship with my reader is like that of a musician with their audience. Musicians pour their hearts out in their lyrics. They make mistakes, face critiques, but they stand strong with what they produce. Even with my worst paper, or dumbest response, I still support my thoughts. I think musicians feel the same way. After what they feel is their worst concert, they will face harsh critiques, but they will also have those fans who support them regardless. When writing, I just want one reader who respects my thoughts, my writing. I look at my teachers as the one unconditional fan, who even on my worst day will support my effort, while every other reader disregards my writing altogether.

Home might be like...

Home might be like an iPhone. It is filled with modern technology, much of which is rarely (if ever) used. You may want to take your home everywhere, but no one does. A home may store thousands of games, but its highly unlikely. A home might be like an iPhone if every important document is locked inside. If a family only communicates at home, it might be like an iPhone. A home might also be like an iPhone if it needs an expensive case (say a high-class fence) to keep it from being broken. But for those who live in the real world, your home is probably not like an iPhone.

home is not like..

Home is not like a good Broadway musical. Instead of being nearly perfect, home has flaws. When I leave a room, more than a set changes. People do not break out in song and dance. Home is not contained to one stage. A home can have many performances, many emotions. Home is not like Broadway, there is no fee. Home does not have a maximum number of seats, and a home does not fill up every night. On Broadway, the actors work to make a general connection with everyone, not a personal connection with each member of the audience. A home is not cheesy. A home offers real emotions, real like issues. A good musical makes the audience want to return, but a good home makes the visitors never want to leave.

Coney Island of the Mind

I began watching this short video with no expectations. The author, presumably young at the time, chose to have an older man read her work, an bold decision that paid off. As a young writer, I often want to hide behind my work, but when good, I expect credit. Having an older man tell her story of the "dreamland" Coney Island is to her inspired me to think about the amusement park I grew up going to. In the story, the author admits the amusement park will never fit the definition of sweet and heavenly. To be honest, what amusement park does? For the author, Coney Island offers pleasant memories of rides and food. The honesty felt real, the emotions were not faked. The man reading the poem felt much older, but when talking about the practicality of taking the F train, and pigging out on the food available (a Nathan's sign appeared in the video for more than a few seconds) it made the words more believable. No adult will trust the "old memories" of a teenager just beginning their life. A man who lived decades travelling to Coney Island will offer much more credibility.
The young author focuses on the idea that the real Coney Island may only exist in our minds if we allow ourselves to dream. I am not from the area, and therefore have never been to the well-known amusement park. I, however, would venture to say that the amusement park lacks thrill from the rides, and is not a huge attraction for locals. She writes that the "imperfections make it real," which I can relate to my childhood amusement park. Sure too many people cram into the park, they only offer fried food, but for her, Coney Island is where her first date may haven been. Or where she first went on a roller coaster. Whatever it may be, Coney Island is what you make it. If I went with friends, it likely would have little meaning to me. However, for the author, it hurts to say goodbye, so she returns because it is her dreamland. Everyone, whether willing to share or not, as a special place that is not perfect, but offers something unique to them. Coney Island is filled with history and tourists, but every visitor has a different view on what the amusement park has to offer.

First Thoughts

Home is like a farm. For me, almost literally. In Amish country many of my friends live on farms, but  its just figurative in my case. Farms are huge open spaces that anyone can walk through if they really wish, but few people ever take the time to go through. Farms can be peaceful and relaxing, a place you want to be. They can also be stinky, and you just want a break from doing work (like cleaning and doing laundry).

inkshedding

Bolter claims mediums of writing attempt to outdo their competitors. Today, the goal is immediacy. The iPad exemplifies this perfectly, because it incorporates a computer and an e-reader (such as a nook or kindle). The device is compact, yet powerful and incorporates both a writing space and a writing place. In other words, the iPad allows for the user to use the device as an e-reader, as well as a word processor through applications that include basic word documents and social media sites. Bolter notes that transparent media separates us from reality. With the use of blogs, writers can read and share with people across the world. Social media offers an immediate experience, while the writing space continues to evolve. All forms of technology continue to build off of each other. The iPad evolved from the laptop, as an even more compact form of technology. Writing itself will remain the same; however, the way we utilize writing will infinitely change. As the writing space changes, communication begins to change. The way in which people communicate has moved from a personal act to one in which people hide behind a computer screen or telephone. As text messages become more popular and advanced (faster, more interactive), the definition of writing has expanded into the world of basic communication. A text is a writing space in which people rely on written word to express what was traditionally said in person. The writing space will continue to evolve, and as with any advancement, new inventions create new controversies.

A super rough copy of my Bolter essay

Megan Andrews

Composition 001

Doctor Lay

21 October 2011

What is happening to writing?

            As society moves through the late age of print, the name given by Jay David Bolter to the current state of writing, the threat of technology on the writing process becomes more evident.  “The shift to the computer…threatens the definitions of good writing,” Bolter boldly states as he begins to write his winded opinions about the impact of technology on writing (Bolter 4). The writing process must constantly be challenged, along with technology itself. The advancement of writing continues to challenge the modern definition of technology, while making writing more prominent in society and more widely utilized.

            The infinite changes to writing began before any document was ever officially scribed. Before any writing form becomes popular, people are criticized for their ‘absurd’ ideas. Think of the first man to suggest using blood to write in a cave, or the first man to suggest standardizing an alphabet. At the time, society likely harassed these brave men. It takes time to adapt to change, although many would argue the great benefits change has on society. Countless forms of writing were used before the mere invention of paper. After paper, the typewriter is the next prominent advancement in writing. These inventions make history today, being credited as some of the best inventions of all time. Yet, centuries ago, challenging the practicality of a rock as a writing surface was viewed as irrational.

            Looking to more current times, the computer shows a similar type of progress. When the computer was first invented, society was stunned. Thirty years ago, no average citizen would have listed the current capabilities of a computer. They were unthinkable. The average citizen questioned computers--their accuracy, speed, reliability, capabilities. Without skeptics, what incentive would exist for improvement? Society is right in challenging advancements, challenging technology. Writing itself challenges the definition of technology. As Bolter notes, technology is more than just a machine, it also includes skills (15). Using this definition of technology as a reference, the continuing advancement of the writing space, which currently includes word documents, blogs, e-mail, and countless other virtual places, constantly expands the writer’s skills.

            A decade ago, a computer was still a luxury. Electronic writing was possible, but not necessary to succeed in school or even the workplace. Pen and paper represented writing to the average citizen, not a computer and a keyboard. Today, however, the perception of writing has evolved. When assigned an essay, people log into their account as opposed to opening their journal. In a decade, Microsoft Word replaced spiral bound paper as the primary aid for writing. Advancing the way in which a formal paper is written is just the beginning of the impact computers have made on the writing space.

            Social media, over the last few years, created a brand new place for people to express their thoughts and feelings through written word. With the creation of sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr, people around the world can meet on one world wide web page and share what they wish about their lives. Each site listed differs in their own way, allowing electronic text to reach an even broader audience. Prior to the late age of print, textbooks and printed novels were the only forms of writing accessible to a majority of citizens. Some people kept personal journals, or came across poetry once in a while, but for the most part, textbooks were the only way information was spread throughout society.

            The creation of social media opened the door to writing in an entirely new light. Twitter gives a user 140 characters to express whatever they wish, while Tumblr uniquely offers a blog accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world. Tumblr expands the definition of writing, allowing for quotes, text, images, videos, or any combination of the above. Social media cites help “to regard the mind itself as a writing space” (13). A computer acts as a tool for expressing the thoughts and ideas that form in the mind on a surface that allows for sharing among other readers. The internet aids writing, it does not allow for technology to do the writing itself. Facebook offers another unique writing space, because it allows for both public and private communication with friends. People often critique the computer as technology that controls writing, yet no technology can function as a writing space without people to control them (17). Facebook allows for primarily social writing, but similar to the idea that the more you read, the better reader you become, the more you write, the better of a writer you become.

            Arguably the strongest benefit of social media sites has little to do with what is actually written. Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr, along with countless other social media forms, allows for more people to take part in writing. In the early age of print when paper was a modern creation, everyone wanted to get their hands on it and take part in the newest advancements. Although computers themselves are not the newest advancement in writing, the relative infancy of social media sites helps them to strengthen their popularity. The more people who take advantage of social media sites, the more prominent writing will become in society.

            As more members of society begin to appreciate the wonders of writing, the more people there will be to critique its advancements. As Bolter wisely writes, “When one medium sets out to remediate another, it does so by claiming to do a better job” (26). The obvious truth in this statement allows for a deep analysis of the evolution of writing. When the computer was first invented, and the ingenious Bill Gates invented Microsoft, the writing space changed for what society currently views as ever. Yet, this new space for writing will eventually be overturned. Likely not in the next few decades, or maybe even centuries, but ultimately the computer is bound to be replaced. Again, look to ancient times. It may sound pointless to think about, but everything in society ultimately gets replaced. The invention of a computer proved that there is a better way to write papers, and the keyboard helped to replace many of the issues and criticisms of the typewriter. The computer challenged the typewriter, claiming to do a better job, by offering new advancements. The same can be seen when the typewriter was first invented. Although it lacked the flexibility the computer now offers, the typewriter helped to speed up the writing process and refashioned the writing space for a majority of writers.

            This refashioning of the writing space may occur when a dominant technology is challenged (22). Although the definition of technology remains debatable, assuming that writing is a technology, when paper first challenged the very traditional form of writing on bricks and rocks, the writing space was refashioned. In more modern times, the electronic replacement of paper is evident.

            It is clear writing continues to advance and reach a broader group of people, but debate continues about how beneficial electronic text is to society. Taking an optimistic approach, electronic writing allows for text to be flexible and easily accessible to the majority. Electronic writing can “continue indefinitely,” largely due to hypertext (27). The creation of the World Wide Web allows for countless links to be embedded into web pages, further not only the writers’ capabilities, but also the power of the information presented. Using Wikipedia as an example, hundreds of thousands of links are embedded to help give as little, or as much, detail as one may be searching for. For ironic purposes, if you search writing on Wikipedia, it displays one web page that includes an overview of writing, its history, and countless links to various sources as well as deeper definitions of terms used throughout the article. If reading the web site for a research paper, the World Wide Web offers hyperlinks so the reader can access as little or as much information as he or she may want. The internet not only allows American readers and writers to access, as well as change this information; it allows writers from around the world to access the online encyclopedia in their respective languages. This versatility proves that the writing process continues to evolve and offer more possibilities that did not exist just a few years ago.

            As you can see, the advancement of writing is indefinite. Similar to any technology, as long as critics continue to voice their opinions, writing will never stop advancing. Regardless of a personal definition of technology, there is no debate about the improvements of the writing space over the last few decades. The invention of the computer and the keyboard allows for a faster, more complex writing space that is user friendly. The flexibility that word processers offer makes writing painless, as well as opens the doors to new styles of writing, as seen through social media sites. Writing continues to advance and reach a wider audience, allowing for more critiques of the writing space. Hundreds of years ago, before the typewriter or a computer, the writing space had a limited definition. Today, the opportunities are endless, and the writing space will continue to advance and evolve as long as humans are alive to write. 

Chapter 3 argument, group two

This group argued that print text needs to be corrected and changed because it was defected. I really liked how they began with a dictionary definition because it helped to support their argument. I do not recommend beginning an opinionated paper with a definition, but for this purpose it was successful. The strong view that print must die definitely causes much debate, but they did manage to use valid examples to support their radical statement. I also like how they acknowledged new technology usually replaces old, and did not go to the extreme of saying always. The RIP format seems interesting because looking to the past, we see that it is very rare that anything in the past completely dies. There will always be those who choose to ignore the advancements in technology (such as those who refuse to purchase a cell phone, because a landline still places calls). I like how Bolter calls hypertext a remediation, not the death however. During their analysis, they said that "you can't rip the internet." With that statement, I would argue there will eventually be a way that for a majority of society replaces the internet even if they do not physically damage every computer. One aspect of their prezi that distinguishes them from the other groups is the fact that they chose such a strong argument. When writing my paper, I will likely take a strong stance on my argument, much like how this group did. As far as memorability, their prezi will stay in my mind more than some of the others (that I already forget), primarily because of their strong stance that was well supported.

Chapter 3 argument: group one

This prezi had an ingenious path design to help accent their argument. The group views writing as a never ending path, and argues that writing will continue to advance. Although I believe many of their examples had many layers of analysis, the group failed in my opinion to demonstrate their knowledge of Bolter's text. For example, the yellow book example they used in attempt to show printed text cannot easily be re-arranged fell short for me. I liked their interpretation, because it is true print text does not have the accessibility of electronic text; however, the example was absurd. I found it ironic that one of their videos could not be embedded into their prezi. Just a few slides after mentioning the interconnections of the electronic writing space, a glitch in the advanced technology appears. I think it is important to note that without an issue, the remediation of print would likely not occur. They showed an example of an issue with print text (the immobility of the writing space), yet I highly doubt that they intentionally tried to show a glitch with the modern writing space. This small issue itself may never be fixed, but it shows the writing cycle and advancement of writing is a never-ending process. A final point in their argument that caught my attention was the idea that it takes time to appreciate the current state of writing. They used Van Gogh's art as an example, but I would consider using text messages as an example. Many people today may argue that their lives would not be the same without text messaging, but when it first was invented, a majority of phone users failed to use texts, and those who did, likely did not recognize their future potential to change society. Overall, this group selected great examples, but the viewer must take the time to further analyze their never-ending path argument to fully understand the power of Bolter's text.

Taylor Mali

Taylor Mali's poetry can be found in numerous forms on the internet. I watched two, one in which Mali spoke the poem in front of a small crowd, and one set up like a prezi, with a recording of Mali playing as the words appeared on the screen. The poem itself stay constant between the two versions, yet I took a completely different meaning away from each short clip. When I watched Mali deliver the poem wearing a geeky scrabble t-shirt and jeans, it allowed me to see the type of man stating the truth through poetry. With the added visual of hand gestures, it helped me to focus on what the author wanted to emphasize. In the print version, although very interesting, I found myself more focused on reading all the words as they were creatively arranged, and it took much of the meaning away from the poem. Although in the text form different fonts and sizes were used to help accent the important phrases in the poem, seeing every word appear in a non-traditional form was too overwhelming for me.  I chose to watch the print version first, so without the prior knowledge of the type of man Taylor Mali is, it allowed me to make my own prediction. I noted his appearance early on in my entry because it stuck with me throughout his entire performance. If I were to stand and read his poem, a majority of the audience would take a different meaning away. Live, Mali successfully uses hand gestures along with his diction to accent the main points in his poetry. Although his voice sounded identical in the print version, with only words in front of me, I struggled really listen and focus on the words of the poem. This exercise proves that style really does impact meaning of a writing piece. One person's interpretation of an essay, novel, or even poem can easily change by simply viewing the text or only listening to the words.

John Edward Weidman

Author John Edward Weidman spoke to the Hofstra community, spending a majority of his time reading an excerpt from his latest, unpublished novel. The African-American, Pennsylvania native published over twenty books, with countless awards to demonstrate his credibility. A creative writing professor introduced the older author, stating how his realistic diction makes his writing approachable. One book she referenced was written in the perspective of an African-American male, who speaks as a true black teenager would. He writes in slang, making his voice realistic, something I took to be important for Weidman. After hearing the short excerpt from a published book, I was unsure what to expect when he began to speak. He spoke professionally and intelligently, like one would expect from an award winning author. His latest work, tentatively titled Fathers and Sons, uses his own style of voice to paint a vivid image of what life was like in 1955 for a controversial African American family. He began from the beginning, reading about the background of what becomes Louis Till's life. The book stresses racial inequality at the time, talking about the murder trial of Emmett Till. The young man was killed because he whistled at a white woman, and his killer was acquitted. The audience could hear the emotion in the authors voice, because as an African American man who was presumably alive during the mid 1950's, he was reading about a topic close to his heart.
Before Weidman began reading, he briefly talked about how he loved teaching. He spoke on the importance of teachers in his opinion, and said how he loves to share his opinions with others. Speaking to a group of about half faculty or staff, he called them heroes. I think Weidman writes in a more informal voice that people feel comfortable reading because he wants to teach his readers about what life once was life. The book he read from was what he called 'half fiction, half non-fiction.' He uses a realistic voice for his characters and for his story, making his story more credible. I often write in a very formal voice, using the same type of descriptions as Weidman does. I often laugh at people who write in the exact style they speak, but Weidman proved that you can be a fluent, intelligent speaker and successfully write in an informal tone.
One observation I made while the author spoke was about the number of African Americans in the room. Weidman attracted a relatively large crowd to his reading, some fans, others students. But I took notice of how few black men and women attend the reading. Hofstra is a pretty diverse school, and  knowing that Weidman is a black man himself and writes in a stereotypically 'black' voice, I was shocked to see how few African-Americans attended the event. Likely, there is no significance in this observation, but I only counted five in the entire room. I would venture to guess Weidman writes to inform primarily the minorities who were greatly effected by the racial inequalities during the civil rights movement. Overall, I enjoyed Weidman's presentation and the opportunity to hear a professional writer's work in the editing stages.

What is the argument? Chapter Two, Group Two

This prezi demonstrated a more advanced thought process in my opinion, offering a large image to view as a kind of summary, yet I still do not agree with their argument. This group also argued that writing is a technology, offering the reference to Bolter's text where he uses the term 'techne' to describe technology in a broader sense. The image of a computer formed by the videos, quotes, and analysis' was very creative and helped to enforce their argument. Although creative, I personally hated the design. I struggled to follow because I was so caught up in trying to read the jumbled words. I think the design of a computer could have been used with the text more spread out, to help keep the general argument while making the entire presentation easier to follow. This group made an interesting argument, saying that humans are essentially a part of technology. I understand how humans help make writing a technology, but I do not think they expanded on this interesting point enough to make it valid. One part of their argument I enjoyed was when they focused on the fact that technology cannot function as a writing space without people. This not only makes sense, but also helps to argue why writing could be considered a technology. Overall, I enjoyed this prezi because the support to their overall argument that writing is a form of technology was elaborated on and explained.

What is the argument? Chapter Two, Group One

In their prezi, they made the argument that writing is a technology. They used examples such as the purpose of a phone, while showing its advancements over time. Today, phones are more user-friendly and have many different purposes, rather than simply making a call. A telephone is more obviously considered technology in our culture, but they showed how writing is also a technology because the purpose of writing is the same today,evan as it continues to advance. Their prezi began by stating that all arts and trades that require skills and tools are technologies. By this definition, they argue that writing is a technology, because a writing tool or electronic device is needed along with the ability to form thoughts. The group of girls focuses on how writing changes along with culture, using an image of socialite Kim Kardashian blogging as their primary example. This argument had legitimate support, as Bolter explains in chapter two; however, I still do not believe that writing is a technology. The focal point of the presentation was the fact that "writing is a technology that is an active part of culture and the social world." Although their prezi demonstrated this, I do not understand how something that continues to improve and requires tools and skill is a technology. I believe it is too broad of an argument to be efffective, and it must be considered that electronic writing is not the only form of writing used today. People still use handwriting to take notes and I would argue many edits are done by hand first, then placed onto an electronic device. This is a general weakness I see in their argument, and I think they should have thought on more specific terms to make their argument more effective.

Am I afraid of writing?

In a sense, yes, I am afraid of writing. I fear the judgements and critiques that come along with publishing any writing (such as in this public blog). When I do take the time to write, I feel like I have to prove myself to my readers. I carefully select every word, in hopes of sounding both informed, while keeping an approachable voice. No one wants to be judged or harshly critiqued when doing anything. For me, writing is vulnerable, and my thoughts and opinions have some special meaning to me, making it harder to have others reject my work. Publishing even one crappy piece of writing gives anyone the chance to give me a label. I know when I read a thoughtless piece of writing filled with linking verbs and a lame analysis, I judge the writer. I label them as lazy and uninformed. Why would I expect my readers to hold back judgement? This is why I fear writing.
Jacques Derrida takes writing so seriously, I questioned how serious he was. When I write, I do not over-analyze every word or argument I have. I do not fear being negatively viewed because I took a controversial stance or because I may have a different opinion than one of my readers. To me, a good writer can organize their opinions and analysis in a way that is easy to understand. I do not take writing as seriously as Derrida because I see no reason for the extra stress. A majority of writers will never change their opinion based on my essay, but I put in time to prove to my readers that my thoughts are valid, even if not what they consider correct.

Bolter Chapter One Prezi

http://prezi.com/cpbafxzd2x99/bolter-chapter-1/

Is writing a technology?

Michael Wesch's video challenged me to think about technology and its place in society today. I do not believe writing is technology. Technology aids writing by allowing anyone to re-type and rearrange words in countless ways, changing the meaning of the writing every time. Writing is powerful. Writing allows people to freely express themselves, whether in an online blog, through poetry, or in the form of a novel. The presentation and arrangement of words can redefine what a person means, believes, or even wants.
Technology, however, overpowers writing. Technology controls writers, giving them the resources necessary to master the art of rewriting and editing. Before computers, students may have spent a week hand writing the perfect essay. Today, students spend five straight hours typing, editing, re-typing, re-editing until they compose a final draft. Technology sped up the writing process, making it more accessible to amateur writers. Authors no longer need the perfect vocabulary, with one click a thesaurus now appears in a word document, allowing for any author to sound as well educated as an English professor. Take a minute to think, is writing more powerful than the technology it's written on?

True Confessions

Conciseness. Trimble makes three recommendations, and conciseness is the one I feel I struggle most with when writing. I tend to get carried away with expressive verbs that help to create a vivid image for the reader. I don't like to consider my writing filled with fluff however. I carefully pick and chose my words, but one could argue that my essays could use some trimming. I think conciseness is the most challenging recommendation of the three. Anyway can write in e-prime if they try hard enough (e-prime writing uses no linking verbs, for those who never faced the challenge of writing an essay without is, was, or were). I would argue that not every writer can successfully write a concise paper. The challenge lays in picking what descriptive 'babies' the author feels comfortable killing. In my case, I never really want to kill any. I will re-word a description here and there, but rarely do I feel comfortable removing entire sections that I spent precious time piecing together. In a free write like this, I am not supposed to be concise, I am simply told to write for a specific amount of time. A challenging exercise would be making a point in 100 words or less, or something of the sort. On many college applications they forced applicants to make brief statements, and looking back, mine sucked. I likely focused on using action verbs, opting to write formally as opposed to using an approachable style. Trimble talks about phrase-stretching. For me, phrase stretching is not the only way to struggle with being concise. There is a difference, in my opinion, of being overly descriptive and stretching a phrase. I will agree that often times, less is more. My high school grammar professor took pride in teaching students that using an occasional fragment is acceptable. In fact, brilliant. Short, sweet, to the point sentences (unlike this one), help to emphasis a point. Emphasis on main points is necessary to become a successful writer, but I like to follow Trimble's recommendation of using vigorous verbs to emphasize my writing.

closer prezi

http://prezi.com/agv7eb_wsill/closers/

Geico Commercial

The Geico commercial on Anna's blog caught my attention because of the genius hints marketers placed in the short advertisement. Attempting to sell car insurance, the commercial features a mother taking her daughter to daycare with robots. Stressing the idea that many Americans struggle to cut costs and save money, the mother shrugs off the fact that her child is suffering. Most people have some emotional connection to children, wanting at the very least to keep them safe. Geico markets around to the average American, using their famous 'fifteen minutes could save you fifteen percent or more on car insurance' slogan.
Targeting families short on time and money makes their unrealistic view of families struggles seem relate able. Everyone wants to save money, and by putting an average woman--not too fat, not too pretty, not too skinny--as the face of their product, it allows consumers to feel like they could benefit as well. 

A boring glimpse into my writing process

Unlike Chel White's painful process, my process is much shorter and less complicated. I often push the topic to the back of my mind, in an effort to keep myself from stressing over what exactly I want the focus of my paper to be. I allow my mind to act freely. I focus on living my daily life, with the hope something will inspire me. White's long, complex process seems irrational to me, almost as if he tries too hard. By allowing myself to act freely, my writing process tends to begin with a pretty pathetic rough draft. Usually not long after a paper is assigned, I already have the thoughts that will drive my paper, so I allot the rest of my time to researching, editing, and rewriting. I give myself plenty of time to edit my paper, so I am never stuck at my desk five hours before an assignment is due stressing over the quality of my work. My process is neither painful or painless, it's more natural I guess you could say. The pain comes when I force thoughts or ideas on myself. Those who know me well can tell you I am a rather uptight person, not one who often breaks the rules. My writing process demonstrates this, I follow the structure I am given, never allowing myself to reach a point where I want to drive off a cliff like Chel. My relaxed, semi-structured approach to writing could by called boring by some, but nonetheless, it gets the job done.

Heineken Commercial

Heineken’s commercial posed many thought provoking questions. From a feminist’s perspective, I found it quite odd the women were never shown with the beer. Advertisers took a very stereotypical look at society, leaving women with the shoes, clothes, and jewelry while the men had a closet full of beer. Females are half of the world’s population, so I find it shocking that the marketers only placed their product with the men.

Although I will agree with the idea that men cherish beer far more than women do, completely ignoring women’s appreciation of beer seems foolish to me. Some women may view the commercial and be offended, while others will just forget the commercial or only remember a small group of men cheering of a closet full of Heineken. I find the most successful commercials to be ones that appeal to a wide range of viewers. Obviously, a beer company will not target children; however, women may very likely purchase a quality beer. 

Commercial

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pnjtxfIJDE

Heineken Questions

1. Are the clothes in the woman's closet designer?
2. Who were all of the houseguests?
3. Is it significant that we see the women first?
4. What country was the party in?
5. Why were they showing off closets?
6. Why is the name of the beer never said?
7. Why are the women never seen with the product (beer)?
8. Who is the target audience?
9. Why are the men and women separated?
10. Why does only one woman speak?
11. Why do the woman stop cheering when they hear the men?
12. Is the beer only accessible to the affluent in society?

AT&T questions

1. Why Hansel and Gretal?
2. Why the rapid change from day to night?
3. Why the repetitive music?
4. Why did the characters not talk?
5. Why were the children so young?
6. Who was the target audience / target consumer?
7. Why are they in a big city looking for a cottage?
8. Why such a long fairytale in a 32 second commercial?
9. Is AT&T selling the GPS feature, or a phone?
10. What makes AT&T's GPS the best?
11. What do the breadcrumbs represent?
12. Why are they sharing a phone? (Why don't both kids have a cell phone?)

AT&T commercial

Thirty seconds seems too little time to successfully brand a product, yet AT&T seems to master the art of creativity in their ‘Hansel and Gretel’ commercial. The idea that children can own and operate a cell phone still seems quite surreal to me; however, the two young children, presumably eight years old or so, successfully could use the GPS feature of a phone to navigate throughout a city. The ingenious idea of using dated characters that are easily recognizable to sell a modern piece of technology helps to connect people from all walks of life. Whether elderly, young, rich, or poor, everyone relates in some way to Hansel and Gretel.

Casting young children in a cell phone commercial allows the viewer to rethink modern times. A decade ago, elementary school children never dreamed of owning a cell phone, yet today cell phones top their Christmas and Birthday lists. The idea that AT&T continues thinking to the future helps them remain a leading cell phone carrier today. Within thirty seconds, advertisers reached multiple audiences while selling not only a phone but also a ‘new’ feature. The youth of the characters shows not only that younger generations have a use for cell phones, but also the ease of use for the advanced features, such as the GPS. 

pantene commercial

While observing the Pantene commercial, I noticed many miniscule details that highlight the advertisement’s theme. Marketers carefully placed many small details in the four minute commercial, hoping to capture the viewers attention. For me, the one second detail that caught my eye happened towards the end, when the sole Asian man stood alone applauding for the violinist. Seconds later, the beautiful, deaf student received a standing ovation from the crowd.

The first man’s impact on the audience is notable because in society today, it seems everyone searches for the leader in the crowd. Society must learn to take a leap of faith, much like the young musician did. Despite bullying from her peers, the gorgeous violinist with the perfect hair made her dream a reality. The man brave enough to show his love for the deaf performer was an inspiration to the crowd. The man inferably stood because he could relate to the deaf outcast, likely because of racial inequalities. Those who waited to stand may have felt obligated to applaud, may have thought she was talented, or may have been jealous of her perfect hair. Pantene, of course, focuses on the latter of the possibilities and wants the audience to recognize the effect a new shampoo can have on any girl’s image.

focused free write--trimble

I agree with Trimble's statement, writers are like warriors. A majority of writers, whether amateurs or professionals, devote much of their time defending personal beliefs with countless arguments. Most writer's hope to inspire thought or challenge a reader's opinion with their work. Important to note is Trimble's advice, always write with the reader in mind. Regardless of how strong an argument may be, it is important for the author to be conscious of the reader's needs.  A talented writer will inspire thought, while being open to opposing beliefs or viewpoints. No one wants to read a page of nonsense with no factual basis, which is why a writer must be ready to defend their beliefs in a professional manner.

So here I am at Hofstra and I am blogging. Writing online makes me feel like a geeky teenager who has nothing better to do on a Friday night. I associate these blogging sites with anti-social teenagers searching for a place to let out all of their thoughts. Quite frankly, I do not understand the purpose of spilling your heart or mind out on the internet. Counselors have a job for a reason. I guess there are quirky people who have intelligent things that may or may not be worthwhile to read. Yet again, I am not one of those people. I would much rather waste my time watching sappy chick flicks or playing on my iPhone. Blogs remind me of the movie How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days. Although Andi doesn't write a blog, she writes a column for a magazine, in my mind it is all the same kind of silly writing. Useful for few, and useless for the majority. If you cannot tell, or I guess I should say if you are still reading at this point, I am not much of a writer. Talking for twelve minutes on the topic of my choice would be much easier. I could show some emotion, you could hear some inflection in my voice. This however, is nothing more than the sound of my fingers tapping away at keys trying to waste some time. Back to the beginning for a minute. I'm currently sitting in a nice part of Hofstra, my dorm hall (which may I add is the newest on campus). Hofstra offers so many great opportunities to experience life outside of farmland, where unfortunately I am from. So although I may not be thrilled about blogging, I am ecstatic to be out of Amish country.
While continuing my post, I can't help but think back to elementary school typing class with those nasty orange keypad covers. I almost wish I never learned how to type, it would make this long, rambled mess quite a bit shorter. Unfortunately, I mastered Mavis Beacon after years of practice. I rarely use my typing skills for anything other than school papers and facebook messages however. Facebook is a stupid phenomenon. The more I think about how ridiculous the concept of social networking sites are, the more I feel it necessary to check mine. I often wish that I was alive before cell phones and internet so I could know what it is like to wait for information. With technology the way it is today, even if I try not to be informed, I am forced to know at least the "top news" if I step outside my home. Living on a college campus among thousands of chatty teenagers truly does make the task impossible.
If anyone is still reading at this point in my compiled nonsense, thank you. As much as I hate to admit it, part of me did enjoy seeing how fast I could type over the last twelve minutes.
:)