Made Not Only in Words
I thought that Yancey’s article was a great read. I like that
she includes the histories behind the four quadrants of writing. As I read more of her article I’m beginning to
notice that this style of dividing topics or subgroup topics of composition and
connecting them with appropriate histories is her thing or should I say is her
trademark. Yancey begins the article by talking about the exciting changes that
has and is still taking place in composition. As I read further into her
article I came across a question that that she ask that took me back to the twitter
chat session when we were asked to answer the question how have writing change?
Yancey writes, “Never before have writing and composing generated such diversity
in definition. What do our references to writing mean?” Again, the question
took me back and made me think of the impact technology has had on writing.
Like for example when I think of writing, in any genre or writing for any
matter I don’t simply think of word on paper. I think of sensory. And when I say sensory I don’t mean
metaphorically or sensory details that can only be obtain in the though or mind
when writing on a blank paper. I’m talking about sensory details that are brought
forth by technology and that are instantly accessible, already connected, and
that brings forth powerful reaction and more importantly sensory that has
subliminal influences. For example, like imagery, emotion, voice, and sound,
music that technology brings on. I am able to think about and use these new
forms of sensory details all because I am part of the digital world. Yancey eventually
gave her answer to the question she had asked and also provided her stance on standardize
writing. Yancey writes, “Do they mean print only? That's definitely what writing
is if we look at national assessments, assuming that the assessment includes
writing at all and is not strictly a test of grammar and usage. According to
these assessments-an alphabet soup of assessments, the SAT, the NEAP, the ACT-writing
IS "words on paper," composed on the page with a pen or pencil by
students who write words on paper, yes-but who also compose words and images
and create audio files on Web logs (blogs), in word processors, with video
editors and Web editors and in e-mail and on presentation software and in
instant messaging and on listservs and on bulletin boards-and no doubt in
whatever genre will emerge in the next ten minutes.” Overall in this article I feel
that Yancey is urging writing teachers and the education sector which to her
seems to be lagging behind these new and exciting changes and trends to move in
step with current times, so that writing can continue to evolve.
The Movement of Air, the Breath of Meaning: Aurality and Multimodal Composing
Although, Selfe’s article was a bit long I think the point that
she is making is very similar to Yancey’s article, “ Made Not only on Words.” And
just like Yancey, Selfe also includes the histories regarding composition and aurality. In her article she
basically argues that the current way composition is viewed and taught is
limiting students. She states,
“our contemporary adherence to alphabetic only composition constrains the
semiotic efforts of individuals and groups who value multiple modalities
of expression.” Again like Yancey, Selfe urges educators to move in step with
the different forms of modalities in writing because she states that these modalities
are not only becoming important for human communication, but by doing so educators
can better assist their students in becoming effective communicators in the future.
