Journal 1: Writing

Writing is the process of stringing together a series of coherent symbols that can be used to convey an idea or message. The symbols may be arbitrary in the grand scheme of things, but, depending on what your society agrees upon, they are essential in communicating. The composition of those arbitrary symbols produce what is known as text. Without text writing wouldn’t be able to exist. It is the only mode of transportation any sort of writing has to communicate. Text is the technologically reproduced representation of language.  Text and writing go hand in hand because one without the other would lead to a lack of communication, which is essentially the point of writing.  Whether it’s communicating to others or yourself, writing only exists so that an idea can reach out and be understood by someone. But the different ways we can communicate is what writing continues to do. There is no specific rulebook for writing. As long as you are finding a way to communicate with your words, you are writing. This free form of communication allows writing to be more than just a means of reaching out to someone. It is also used as a way of expressing oneself. Through expression, writing allows words to be manipulated and warped into a new perspective and context. Words that create our reality are changed and therefore our reality has changed as well. All thanks to writing.

Key Terms

Communication: The main reason why people write. Writing communicates ideas or thoughts we have to either others around the world or ourselves.

Text: the technologically reproduced representation of language. Allows for writing to have a medium to convey a message and communicate.

Language: System of communication that uses words, which were agreed upon by a community or society, in a coherent/structural and conventional way.

Expression: An internal motivation that drives an individual to write. When writing, an idea or message is being expressed.

Style: Style goes a step beyond communication. It is how an individual structures their message when writing. Style can add an extra layer to someone’s writing and is what makes writing such a creative field.