"When you work with self-performed texts, you work with texts in which the lyrics (the what) cannot be separated from the music (the how). You also realize that, as is the case with academic writing, if you
are not there to perform the text, the lyrics and the music have to be encoded. That is, in academic writing, you must not only say what, but also how. You must not only make an argument, but also make it with eloquence, a human touch, and polish. Great composition writing must not only be clear and analytical, but also phrased with music. One of the ways to get students to a place where they truly understand the importance of "how words are said" is to work with self-performed texts in which this distinction is literally embodied and personified."
When I first started writing in my college classes this was a concept I tended to struggle with. Having the ability to place the way I meant something to be read into the way it was written. Throughout high school having mostly the same teachers every year read my work they had learned my pattern and style of writing and were able distinguish key tones and phrasing from the pages of writing with me having to make it obvious. In college then this came as a shock that I needed to be more active in my means of communicating the feelings and true meanings behind sarcastic phrases and connections between stories. I enjoy the idea that writing has an essence of performance behind it mainly because sometimes its easy to forget that all writing for school isn't merely a deed to be done for a good grade. Well its that too. But especially in this course the freedom we're given is a chance to truly use our skills to entertain and make a performance of the topic we've chosen to more easily educate others.
On a slight side note I loved that one of their examples included AOL messaging and the use of sarcasm over it. I can remember many times getting in trouble for not quickly enough putting a emoticon up after saying something. I wonder how papers would change if we started allowing things like that and lol or haha in them. Actually I really hope that never happens.
Part of that performance too is about getting grades, even in your boring and routine papers. one of the things that helps me write academic papers is to make it a bit of a game; see how close I can mimic the style the teacher will be looking for. Often I will be mocking the tone in my head, but not letting that come out on the page. Quite a few of my papers in other classes are deeply sarcastic in that way... but because the sarcasm never shows through, it becomes a tool to help me perform the way I'm expected to.
ReplyDeleteOn a side note, I totally wish we could use emoticons in papers. I've had to edit out accidental smiley faces before.
Kyle Knox
Hi! I totally agree with what you said. Of course we are all writing (in college) for a grade but that doesnt mean that you cant take the requirements assigned and creatively making it your own so that you convey the message they want while having an personality or even an artistic flow to it.
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