Journal #1

Writing is an art that requires the author to both convey his or her desired information or purpose, and hold the attention of the reader in order to be effective. This is a common theme throughout all genres of writing, though writing can be an art or a simple way of expressing information. In either sense, writing inspires knowledge. It facilitates the giving and receiving of what is arguably the most valuable thing on this earth. As Heidi Estrem says in Writing is a Knowledge-Making Activity, "Writing is often defined by what it is: a text, a product; less visible is what it can do: generate new thinking," (Estrem 1). This passage highlights the ability of writing to pass along and cultivate ideas from person to person. In this spirit, Heidi Estrem says, "Writing is both relational and responsive, always in some way part of an ongoing conversation with others," (Estrem 2). As different people interpret writing in unique ways and can contribute their own knowledge regarding the subject, each person gains a different experience from reading, especially in creative literature, which broadens the reach and possibility for new knowledge and experience to be gained from writing. I have been told by many a teacher that the simple act of writing down information helps to commit it to memory. This direct connection between the hand and the brain is explored in Heidi Estrem's comment, "We write to think," (Estrem 1). Just as writing facilitates knowledge, it is a tool for learning.

Writing Key Terms:

1. Text

2. Information

3. Art

4. Expression

5. Passion

6. Communication

7. Persuasion

To determine these words, I considered the many different facets of writing, so the words represent different uses and genres of writing. The words text, information, and communication represent the more technical, practical, and necessary uses of writing. Art, expression, and passion represent the creative side of writing. The word "persuasion" represents the side of writing that is involved in politics and advertising. Each quality of writing is found in a different rhetorical situation. Lloyd Bitzer says, "Although rhetorical situation invites response, it obviously does not invite just any response. Thus the second characteristic of rhetorical situation is that it invites a fitting response, a response that fits the situation," (Bitzer 10). He writes this meaning that writing must vary depending on the response that is required due to the unique rhetorical situation, as shown by the examples of different varieties of responses in the key terms above.