Journal 7 - Magen Mack

I still define “writing” as a central method of preservation.  It functions as a large sector of communication as well, but that communication can be spread across time and space unlike most other methods. “Writing” is a process that exists in physical space and that is how it is preserved.  I define “editing” as condensing and clarifying of writing to create the best texts possible.  I define “composing” as creating that can involve different materials, texts, etc.  “Composing” is not restricted to writing, but it includes it. 

Some key terms that I find necessary for defining writing, editing, and composing are audience, purpose/exigence, circulation, and design.  Audience is one of the most important parts of writing, editing, and composing.  Knowing the intended audience for a work changes how it should be written, what should be left in/taken out (editing), and what should be included in the composing process.  Purpose and exigence stem from this knowledge of audience.  Knowing who you are trying to impact and what you are trying to say are integral parts of writing and composing.  Circulation is most important regarding editing and composing.  These are the pieces that determine how a piece of writing (or any text) will be received.  One of the most important parts of circulation is design.  How a text is designed is central in how it circulates and the audience that will be interested in it. 

Project two impacted how I understand and integrate design in my composing process. I had the chance to use design in manipulating my text into a shape to resemble another symbol.  This added to the importance of design in composing/writing/editing to me.  The use of design also impacts how something is taken in by the audience.  I had to change some of the lines and arrangement (editing) in order to make the design work. 

Outside of this course I have learned very strict definitions of writing, editing, and composing.  Coming up through middle high school I learned very specific academic definitions of these three amorphous terms.  But in college I have gained a broader understanding of the complexities of these terms.  I base my entire definition of writing as preservation on a class I have taken while at FSU. 

Since week two of this course I have added circulation to my theory of composing.  I did not previously consider circulation as a part of composing, but rather something that followed composing.  This is not a correct understanding because how a piece is composed directly impacts how it circulates.