Journal 1

Writing has always in my mind been a tool that connects people to one another by presenting ideas and concepts and situations which are universal. Writing has different purposes; in Bitzer's piece he highlights the historical significance of writing and how it can address real life situations for the purpose of expounding on them. In Estrem's essay he speaks on the merit of fictionalized writing.

Writing is a way for audiences to stay on the same page, pun intended, and it's useful for allowing audience members to verify their feelings on a subject matter. By reading what others have written about a situation -- whether it be historical or personal -- we can better form our own opinions and feel more secure in them when they are validated. That was how I have always approached writing and why classic works of fiction are still read today. Bitzer mentioned that historically significant speeches (like the Gettysburg Address) are still studied today because they represent historical situations that are still relevant, and I think that's true but can be expanded to mean that these speeches are still remembered so that we can remember how we felt about the situations they were addressing.

The best pieces of writing are defined by the purpose of the piece, and the significance of the situation. The audience it is being addressed to also has a say in writing, because writing is primarily a tool of connection.