To begin at the end, there are myriad ways in which technology determines style. First, we select tools such as writing instruments (there's a descriptive term for the technology of pencil and pen), then we select a medium in which to express our thoughts, and finally we form a discourse community, which is dependent on the technology selected.
Available technology determines if we IM sans discernable grammar or tweet for 140 characters. Our audience is important as we write. We observe the norms of the discourse community, as Baron notes, in our writing for the virtual community. If we violate the norms of style to which the community is accustomed, we are flamed nearly instantaneously. This has the effect of helping us to self-regulate our style.
Some of us write to think, some of us write to remember, some of us write to empathize in tragedy or great joy. We mix both public duties and private thoughts in the stream of words that symbolically represent ideas otherwise fleeting and inscrutable. Our style emerges from the choice of graceful or clunky phrases, our mastery or ignorance of contemporary grammar rules, and our purpose in putting writing tools to work.
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You write, "Some of us write to think, some of us write to remember, some of us write to empathize in tragedy or great joy."
ReplyDeleteI really like this statement. In addition, I would say that we write to transmit information, to remain in contact, and to impress employers at annual evaluations. I am sure that every member of our class could add to this list because we are all different.
Hi Gina,
ReplyDeleteYour post is a brief and clear response to the prompt question. I agree with you on the three ways in which technology determines style. I would like to use an example to help illustrate your point. For instance, when computer is used as a thinking tool in the writing process, it is inevitable that the computer has changed our way to communicate ideas in writing.
Xiling