We all communicate one way or another. Some communicate well in writing, others with verbal communication, and even some with their hands. No matter our communication tactics, we all are communicating. Even those that say they do not communicate, are still communicating. Communication is all around us. We do it daily. Non-verbal communication is huge. For an example, I am writing this blog post and the reader, if there be any out there, is reading it. My question to the reader is, "am I enthusiastic about doing this assignment or am I simply completing the task assigned to me because of contrived means?" I will let the reader be the judge, but motives are not transparent on paper. Writing can be interpreted one way or the other depending on the readers own perspective, even if the outcome was not intended by the writer. Emotion on paper is harder to see than visible emotion. To me that is simply a difference in face to face interaction and screen to screen or page to page interaction. My preference is to talk face to face. That way, when I see bewilderment on my audiences' faces, I can intervene and modify my delivery to get my point across. I can not see the readers face, therefore, I cannot modify my delivery to make things clearer for the viewer or explain more fully a concept not understood by the reader. This is a con to writing, but there is a purpose to writing that I feel is sometimes unseen.
Writing to me is something that I do for me personally, this blog can be accessed by others, but I feel like it is more helpful to me personally than to the reader. I do not consider myself to be a great writer, but it allows me to reflect and to analyse my own views and perspectives. That is my view on writing. In most cases in education, I do not feel that writing is important for the reader. Nevertheless, it is for the writer.
I remember writing assignments that I had in school. Did I write about Baja racing so that Mr. Qualls would know more about it? Was the effect and use of creatine pertinent to Dr. Morache? Did Dr. Whitesides, a weed scientist, really need to know my thoughts about how to treat an infestation of Canada thistle? The answer is no to all of the above! Writing in school is primarily for the writer, and not so much for the reader. There are forms of writing that can be very appealing and helpful to the reader, however, I am not talking of this type of writing. Writing assignments in school generally fit the mold that I am discussing. I enjoy writing when it is something that I enjoy thinking about and brainstorming. Assignments that were tailored to my interests were the assignments I enjoyed the most. Writing is putting one's thoughts on paper. If I don't enjoy the thoughts, I enjoy the writing even less.
Communication is all around us. We all communicate in a unique and personal way. Writing is one form of communication. It is not perfect, like all forms of communication, it has its flaws. Yet, the benefits that I see are more personal than public. Writing can be therapeutic to our students but, they need to know the purpose of why they are doing it. If this step is absent, and students feel they are writing just for a grade, the benefit of writing will be greatly diminished.
This is a very articulate blog post. You define the complexities of different kinds of communication and their purposes well. We read, write, and speak for different purposes and as teachers helping our students understand these purposes and then assigning relevant assignments for them and us will be important for increasing literacy in our classes.
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