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[ella-long-blog]

How does society shape individuals language and writing?

Society is not accepting of differences, we have all known this for a long time. However, as we continue to grow language is continuing to change, and evolve as well as writing. What used to be considered “broken English” has now become people's daily language. Everyone seeks to feel approval, so they change their language to fit what they believe are society's accepted standards. Writing can be a person's truest form of expression, and can also be the one thing that can hide their personality the most. Society puts people into a category, and does not allow them to demonstrate their writing in a way that is their own. For example teachers allow for little freedom when it comes to writing, they instill a high degree of shame, and disregard the natural methods of language use. 

I personally have always felt that I was not expressive in my writing, but structured, and never truly allowed myself to be comfortable with writing. Young said something that really stuck with me and ultimately summed up how society feels about allowing people to express themselves through their writing in a language of their own. He says "It is the way folks with some power perceive other people's language. Like the way some view, say, black English when used in school or at work. Black English doesn't make it own-self oppressed. There are negative views about other people using their own language" (Young, 2011, p. 2). When Young specifically states "It be the way folks with power perceive other people's language, his use of the word power that they hold that others don't is so important to understanding the meaning of the quote. The power held by society as a whole can be what makes people feel as though they can't speak in a language, or write in a form that is considered to be imperfect. Society demonstrates writing as something that needs to be perfected, there should be no errors, and everything should sound perfect. What Young talks about, which society doesn't, is that people hate what they aren't used to. Society shapes our language to be structured, ordinary, and categorized. This allows little room for freedom when it comes to writing, and expressing oneself. 

Now that we’ve answered how society shapes individuals language, and writing we can take this and apply it to everyday situations. I personally think that societal norms centered around language, and writing can evolve. Society should accept language in its most natural form, as it is, and without having to disregard what is unique to someone. Writing plays a huge role in shaping society, however the language people are writing in is what society dictates. The power some hold that determine what type of writing is grammatically correct, and considered acceptable restricts people. People are told to express themselves through their writing, however are then told what they have written is incorrect. This is where society as a whole needs to evolve, and adapt to accept the language people are using and understand them as they are.

[ella-long-blog]

How Does Society Demonstrate and Perceive the Meaning of Writing?

Society is not accepting of differences, we have all known this for a long time. However, as we continue to grow language is continuing to change, and evolve as well as writing. What used to be considered “broken English” has now become people's daily language. Everyone seeks to feel approval, so they change their language to fit what they believe are society's accepted standards. Writing can be a person's truest form of expression, and can also be the one thing that can hide their personality the most. Society puts people into a category, and does not allow them to demonstrate their writing in a way that is their own. I personally have always felt that I was not expressive in my writing, but structured, and never truly allowed myself to be comfortable with writing. Young said something that really stuck with me and ultimately summed up how society feels about allowing people to express themselves through their writing in a language of their own. He says "It be the way folks with some power perceive other people's language. Like the way some view, say, black English when used in school or at work. Black English doesn't make it own-self oppressed. There are negative views about other people using their own language" (Young, 2011, p. 2). When Young specifically states "It be the way folks with power perceive other people's language, his use of the word power that they hold that others don't is so important to understanding the meaning of the quote. The power held by society as a whole can be what makes people feel as though they can't speak in a language, or write in a form that is considered to be imperfect. Society demonstrates writing as something that needs to be perfected, there should be no errors, and everything should sound perfect. What Young talks about, which society doesn't, is that people hate what they aren't used to.

Writing plays a huge role in shaping society, however the language people are writing in is what society dictates. The power some hold that determine what type of writing is grammatically correct, and considered acceptable restricts people. People are told to express themselves through their writing, however are then told what they have written is incorrect. This is where society as a whole needs to evolve, and adapt to accept the language people are using and understand them as they are.

[ella-long-blog]

An understanding

Starting from early years in school I associated writing with negative feelings. I would read a passage, and write a simple reflection but I found little joy in this aspect of writing. I absolutely loved the reading side of things, and could be consumed into a good book, but I never understood how writing could be somewhat of an outlet for people. How someone could write in a diary, and this simple act be completely therapeutic for them. I still wouldn’t say I’ve gained a love for writing, but rather an understanding. I have a respect for writing and all its different forms. I believe writing is so crucial to our day to day lives, and being able to demonstrate a good writing ability is one of the most important things a person can do. Throughout high school I began to write more in depth stories, but still lacked the passion to write. I would participate in workshops for my specific writing classes, so my teachers could proof my work, and I always strived for acceptable. I'm hoping throughout this class I can gain a better understanding for writing all together, and be able to strive for perfection. I would love to experience a moment where I can complete a writing assignment and feel so very accomplished with my work, instead of just content with how it turned out. I think I owe my lack of love for writing to the way it was introduced to me. I say this because I have always associated writing with work, and not the kind of work I enjoy. Writing has been shown to me as an assignment to complete, a score to receive, a lesson to learn, and nothing more than that. However, I think if I may have been given the opportunity to learn writing from a different perspective my opinion may change. 

I grew up in a chaotic household with my parents, 3 younger siblings, and 2 dogs. I would describe the language in my house as loud, fun, and loving. It has definitely always been very comfortable to speak freely, and in a language that could be considered a common everyday language. Growing up in such a comfortable environment has caused me to be very outgoing, especially when meeting new people. In school I have always been very open to answering questions, and comfortable when giving presentations. However when it came to writing I always seemed to be stuck looking at my blank piece of paper, brainstorming ideas of what to write about. I never knew what language to write in, if it should be more sophisticated, delicate, or expressive. There are so many different varieties of writing that it can cause me at times to feel consumed with confusion. My earliest memories of writing were in elementary school, where my writing was very sloppy, and unsophisticated. Throughout my later years in school, I have worked on growing my vocabulary, to perfect my writing. I don’t by any means wish to say I am perfect at writing, because I definitely am not. However, it is a skill I strive to be good at. I personally believe that writing, although I do not enjoy it, is one of the most important life skills a person can have. To be successful in life, to eventually have a good job, and even to possess good people skills a person should be educated in writing. I have one exception when it comes to writing, a form or writing that I truly blissfully enjoy. 

I have found little love for writing, but the one exception I would say for me personally is birthday cards, letters, or any form of thank you note. I say this because something as simple as a letter can connect two people from so far away, and be so impactful. Birthday cards have always been my favorite things to write because I get to express my love for the people I care about. There is nothing better than a detailed birthday card to describe a friendship, or love for a family member. I have always put as much detail into a birthday card as I possibly can, because it is one part of writing that I truly do enjoy.. Thank you notes are so important, and people write them every day. A letter to a boss, friend, family, a work colleague, teacher, and so many more. Countless amounts of thank you cards are written for so many different reasons. Something as simple as saying thank you on a card, and writing a little description is a form of writing that I think is so important. For people to understand the concept of these simple forms of writing I personally believe is something that will allow them to be more successful in life. I wish I could have a strong passion for writing as much as I do for reading, but I enjoy escaping into the words of others, instead of listening to my own. Given a choice between writing, and reading hands down I would choose reading. The act of reading can be so emotional yet so truly exciting at the same time. As a result of reading I have grown as a person, and discovered so much about myself. This is one reason why I have so much respect for writers, and a deep appreciation for their passion to express themselves in a book. I understand the purpose of their work, and as much as I do not possess the writing skills I hope to someday I am so thankful that I get to read about it. As I’ve grown as a person I have begun to see writing from a different perspective. I have grown an understanding, and respect for those who have a passion for writing, and ultimately for writing itself.

[ella-long-blog]

Images and Titles

Part 1: TITLES 

A single word: understanding

A question: can you understand some forms of writing, and not others?

A line or phrase from the essay: I still wouldn’t say I’ve gained a love for writing, but rather an understanding

A call for action: Writing is so crucial to our day to day lives, and being able to demonstrate good writing ability I personally believe is one of the most important things a person can do.

A central image: the connection between writing, and understanding 

Use of alliteration: writing can wistful, at times weakening, and ultimately well-balanced

Combine two of the titles above, with a colon (:) between Understanding : Writing can be wistful, at times weakening, and ultimately well-balanced

Alt text: A woman is seen sitting in a scenic, and tranquil place writing.

What work will this image do in your Personal Narrative?  What purpose will the image serve? Will it surprise the audience? Will it provoke a strong emotional response? Does it support an important point?  Something else?

This image is supposed to demonstrate the positive, and simple moments that come along with writing. How this simple moment can be so impactful for one person, and not at all impactful for another. This photo demonstrates one person's complete bliss, while another has no connection to the photo whatsoever. However, a person may have no connection to this image, but still have a complete understanding of writing and its importance. I think it will surprise the audience that I chose this photo, because I have clearly demonstrated throughout my essay that I do not have a love for writing, but an understanding. This photo stood out to me because I personally found it very therapeutic, and tried to envision myself in this scene. I want my audience to understand both points of views I have been describing, and gather somewhat of an understanding of the opposing sides, to determine their thoughts.