Strunk and White: First Impressions

Call me a prude, but I like the structure in The Elements of Style. I am very partial to strict rules (please don’t analyze me!). Since I like the book overall, there are many rules that I find helpful. My favorite rule is # 16 in An Approach to Style. This rule is well explained. I believe what Strunk and White were getting at is for writers to be specific. On the other hand, there is a fine line when it comes to this issue. #16 is always the rule I struggle with. Sometimes I forget to cite examples that will clarify exactly what I mean. And I have been in those situations where I would try and work out a sentence that sounded extremely awkward. Whenever I read this rule I don’t think that it’s vague. Somehow #16 clicks in my head and makes sense. The reason I need this rule is because I always need to be reminded that I can always clarify. I also like rule #17, Do not inject opinion. I normally write academic papers without injecting my opinion or the way I personally feel. The Invent Your Own Technology assignment felt wrong to me. I actually inserted a great deal of my personal opinion, but maybe the assignment called for this type of writing because it was mostly a reflection of my experiences. So audience also must be considered with this rule. Strunk and White makes clear that writing must have a purpose and if, “…you have received a letter inviting you to speak at the dedication of a new hospital, and you hate cats, your reply…does not have…to cover the full range of your emotions” (Strunk and White 80).

Headings in chapter III is written in a way that would help people that use typewriters. I feel like this rule is dated because of this. Stunk and White write, “On succeeding pages, begin near the top, but not so near as to give a crowded appearance” (Strunk and White 34). On computers, the headings are set in advance, so there is no need for me to manually adjust the headings unless it is for a particular reason. The sentence, “Leave a blank line, or its equivalent in space, after the heading” (Strunk and White 34).

In terms of what Strunk and White may look like, I always envision Sherlock Holmes and Watson; two very upper-crust white men. Strunk taught at Cornell in 1919, and because of this, I simply do not believe Strunk is a female. Ong discusses in A Technology that Restructures Thought the role of “diglossia” in language and on society. Strunk and White are in a position where they can make decisions about language and have those decisions change the way society feels about how English is spoken. Their stamp of approval or disapproval can inadvertently create biases against people that do not subscribe to their ways of thinking, in terms of language. It must be nice to have so much influence.

Peer Reveiw Recap, Part 1

I have never used Google Documents before. This sort of peer review process was very different for me in that respect. However, some things were still the same. People commented on what I wrote and left me suggestions for change, like normal; only the method had changed.

Using Google Documents is definitely a time saver. Last Wednesday I suggested using Google Documents to my group in PLSC 314. We all were having a difficult time synchronizing our schedules so that we could work on a project. The flexibility of using this process was very encouraging. It was like using Microsoft tracking, but everyone has access to it. Since I am familiar with tracking, once I started editing with Google Documents the process was a piece of cake!

I cannot really think of anything that did not work for me, but I wish I would have understood sooner how to actually view the documents. I didn't really get why a link to the document had to be emailed. I thought we had a class group that was setup to view each others' documents. So I was a little lost there. The advice I would give is just to remember to use Gmail addresses and not to go through the emich accounts. This makes finding the documents a lot easier because users can choose whom will be able to view documents by clicking share.

Final Verdict: Google Docs Rocks!

"Writing Technolog Project"

My writing technology, as you can see, was created by combining flour and water. Once I had my paste I could then write my message on a hard surface.

"My Writing Technologies"

I use a variety of writing technologies on a daily basis. The most common of which are pens and pencils. These tools are easily affordable and widely available. At the time of their invention, I am sure their purposes were a part of a very complex system of communication. Now, I click the pen or sharpen the pencil and instantly indicate what I mean, in writing. I also use electronic writing tools, such as computers. I punch the keys on a keyboard and my message is printed in Microsoft Word. But there are other types of electronic writing technologies, like my cell phone (text messaging), or a paging system (using telephones).

The most common writing technology I use is the computer. I write messages on the computer at work, school, home; I write papers and e-mails. I never really thought about how much more writing I finished using a computer until my handwriting became unrecognizable, or I have a blank moment when trying to quickly write message. At work, we have switched to a new computer system that allows clerks to complete all orders. Before, we would write all day long. The days would become so busy and filled with paper work. My hand would cramp from all of the writing over. Now, everything is ordered and checked off in a few clicks. The new computer system has saved so much time that now we (the clerks) are becoming bored.

Of course I learned to write in English using a pencil, but my first electroninc writing was done on a Brothers electric typewriter. At the time, that machine was awesome. It could even erase. Now, I use computers for everything. I am very versatile when it comes to choosing a writing technology. I can use any tool. I do love writing with a pens and pencils, computers, and I'll even resort back to a typre writer if I have to. I guess I would avoid scratching messages on a wall with paperclips. That would be a bummer.

"My Writing Technologies"

Blog post 3: "My Writing Technologies"
The main purpose of the first writing project is to see the connections between "writing" and "technology" as both concepts and practices. Now, while the writing assignment asks you to "invent" a new writing technology and reflect on that process, this prompt asks you about the writing technologies you use all the time.
What are they? What sorts of writing tools do you routinely use for your own writing? How have your writing tools changed over the years? And what sort of writing tools do you avoid using?



On a daily basis I'd say that I use a variety of writing technologies. The most common of which are pens and pencils. I use these tools in class while taking notes, at work, for personal reminders and entertainment (i.e, doodling). Pens and Pencils are the cheapest of writing technologies, in my opinion, and less complex. I also use electronic resoursces. The electronic writing technology I use the most is on a computer. The computers I use all have writing applications, like Microsoft Word, Works, and Notepad.

What is Style?

I will try to answer the question, “What is style?” by taking a look at my own. I assume we are talking about writing style. My writing style, for the most part, is academic in nature. I have written mostly essays and research papers. Through this style I am able to disseminate information on whatever I am researching or believe is interesting. Style is the form one uses to get information across. I guess writing this way, on a keyboard or PC (even blogs) can be considered a certain style, just like the font and type of script. Did the cavemen have their own style? Or the Egyptians? Maybe something that was created out of necessity took on a style of its own. It's possible.

I don’t believe that anything can be style, though. If something does not have a purpose or reason for being created, then it’s just there and has no meaning. But, I could see a person arguing that that is there style and there is no meaning for anything.

Getting Started

This is my first blog post of the semester. I have worked with Blogger before and I really like using it. I hope to use Blogger in the future for my students, maybe like an online journal. It will keep me tech savvy, and hopefully, make my students believe I am an exciting teacher. So... let's try some different fonts and colors here. And... let's try and insert another picture...

I like psychedelic sunflowers.