Technology and Writing: Impacts and Changes
From decades ago, it is rather proper to assume that act of writing merely required instruments such as pens, typewriters, and of course various forms of parchments on which to write on. However, as technological advancements brought forth and allowed for the use of computers throughout homes and business establishments for making various tasks, such as writing, simpler and easier, it may also be assumed that such tasks were in fact changed in certain ways. To further expound upon the impacts of technology on the act of writing, it is important to point out that the main aspects in which computers have allowed for such impacts and changes are mainly through the availability of word processors and accessibility of connectivity and end-product reproduction. In this sense, the changes brought forth by technology upon writing, may be categorized into three, namely new writing tools, means of connectivity, and of course the development of unique concerns. Therefore, in order to understand such changes further, the aforementioned categories must be discussed.
As previously noted, among the main reasons as to why technology has affected the act of writing would be in terms of the development of new tools for use. In particular, electronic or software based word processors have allowed for easier means to type and to review different versions of a single work or paper (Petelin and Durham 203). Previous means of writing such as through typewriters or through the use of tools as basic as pens, one would not easily be able to delete and add text anywhere as desired. Hence, such previous means of writing are indeed inferior to software based writing. To further expound, through the use of word processors, a specific word regardless of the its placement throughout the paper, may easily be edited without wasting much time and resources (Petelin and Durham 203). In general, and taking into consideration the aforementioned details, word processors enabled the possibility of a writing process that is relatively easier or less of a chore in comparison to previous means of writing. In fact, due to word processors, writing has become faster which of course in turn affected the overall quality of written work (Petelin and Durham 203).
In addition to such advantages and improvements as resulted from the presence of word processors, further enhancements have been brought forth from the development of automated writing assistants integrated into word processing software. To further expound, through automated writing assistants, simple errors in terms of spelling and repeated words have become rather easy to identify as it is automatically indicated on-screen; if the individual permits, it is also a possible that changes and corrections would be instantly applied (Petelin and Durham 203). It is rather evident as to why such a tool may be considered as a valuable advancement in writing technology and in turn most probably has developed potential changes to the act of writing as well. To explain, such technological developments would allow for writers to be less concerned regarding attention to detail and would allow for writers to focus their attention upon other aspects of writing (Petelin and Durham 203). Hence, it is apparent that technology has allowed for the act of writing to be conducted in a more approachable and easier manner.
The act of writing does not merely pertain to the actual manner in which words are encoded and arranged, but also pertains to the way through which the writer intends for the accomplished work to be distributed. As a matter of fact, due to the fact that computer technology has allowed for worldwide connectivity, the potential audience and mode of distribution of written works have been significantly enhanced and furthered (Rijlaarsdam,Bergh, and Couzijn 425). As expected, no longer are writers required to entirely submit or distribute their works in physical form and physically deliver or mail it to an intended recipient; due to technological advancements writers are now able to send electronic versions of their writings to multiple recipients efficiently. As a matter of fact, due to the possibility to post such works throughout the web, which of course is mainly done through the use of computers, the possibility of a certain work being received and read by an unintended recipient has been considerably increased (Rijlaardam, Bergh, and Couzijn 425).
Expectedly, increased connectivity also has direct effects upon the act or course of writing as well. For one, collaborative writing became a relatively easier pursuit since computer based collaborations and meetings allow for discussions that does not require any direct physical presence; such collaborative writing pursuits may in fact be done either in real time or through message boards (Rijlaardam, Bergh, and Couzijn 425). Thus, previous means of actually meeting up and discussing a certain writing project may now be superseded by such possibilities through the use of technology. Another change, that of course directly affects the act of writing as well, is the possibility to further establish and maintain anonymity (Stewart 263). Given such, writers nowadays are no longer considerably limited in terms of the level of honesty that they may express in certain works; in addition, writers now have the capability to completely portray their thoughts throughout their works without worry as much regarding judgment and personal safety.
As noted beforehand, technological advancements also brought forth new and unique concerns regarding the act of writing, which of course implies that negative effects have been developed as well. Among the most significant concerns is in terms of how the process of writing is conducted, specifically in relation to the common structural work flow utilized in such a pursuit. In particular, the classical process of writing would be from top to bottom, or from the introductory portions up to the conclusion, with the advent of word processing technology however, writers gained the capability to write in a jigsaw and a non-linear manner wherein such sequencing is no longer important (Petelin and Durham 203). Such a process may result in the faster completion of a certain work, it would in fact also allow for increased changes of having problematic sequencing and logical flow. Hence, from the presence of such a concern, it becomes apparent that as the act of writing becoming easier improvements in terms of quality do not always follow.
Aside from the abovementioned concern, other issues and potential problems are existent as well. In this sense, the problem of misled perceptions regarding perfection have been furthered through software based writing activities. The reason for such is that the overall work is considerably perfect from a visual sense, due to the lack of marks or erasures the writer assumes that the work is already perfect, only to find out later that significant mistakes that affect quality are present (Petelin and Durham 203). In addition to such, reviewing what is written or assessing the actual content of a work becomes troublesome as well, since the common writer may tend to merely watch out for automated hints of mistakes and errors, while not all mistakes may be detected by the software. Again, the presence of such concerns imply a possible trade-off between speed and quality in certain cases, emphasizing the fact that the changes and impacts brought forth by technology upon the act of writing is not entirely beneficial. Throughout the discussion, it becomes clear that technology, through the availability of computers and different writing software, has indeed made a considerable impact upon the act of writing which may be seen from the various changes, both positive and negative, that such have caused.
As previously noted, among the main reasons as to why technology has affected the act of writing would be in terms of the development of new tools for use. In particular, electronic or software based word processors have allowed for easier means to type and to review different versions of a single work or paper (Petelin and Durham 203). Previous means of writing such as through typewriters or through the use of tools as basic as pens, one would not easily be able to delete and add text anywhere as desired. Hence, such previous means of writing are indeed inferior to software based writing. To further expound, through the use of word processors, a specific word regardless of the its placement throughout the paper, may easily be edited without wasting much time and resources (Petelin and Durham 203). In general, and taking into consideration the aforementioned details, word processors enabled the possibility of a writing process that is relatively easier or less of a chore in comparison to previous means of writing. In fact, due to word processors, writing has become faster which of course in turn affected the overall quality of written work (Petelin and Durham 203).
In addition to such advantages and improvements as resulted from the presence of word processors, further enhancements have been brought forth from the development of automated writing assistants integrated into word processing software. To further expound, through automated writing assistants, simple errors in terms of spelling and repeated words have become rather easy to identify as it is automatically indicated on-screen; if the individual permits, it is also a possible that changes and corrections would be instantly applied (Petelin and Durham 203). It is rather evident as to why such a tool may be considered as a valuable advancement in writing technology and in turn most probably has developed potential changes to the act of writing as well. To explain, such technological developments would allow for writers to be less concerned regarding attention to detail and would allow for writers to focus their attention upon other aspects of writing (Petelin and Durham 203). Hence, it is apparent that technology has allowed for the act of writing to be conducted in a more approachable and easier manner.
The act of writing does not merely pertain to the actual manner in which words are encoded and arranged, but also pertains to the way through which the writer intends for the accomplished work to be distributed. As a matter of fact, due to the fact that computer technology has allowed for worldwide connectivity, the potential audience and mode of distribution of written works have been significantly enhanced and furthered (Rijlaarsdam,Bergh, and Couzijn 425). As expected, no longer are writers required to entirely submit or distribute their works in physical form and physically deliver or mail it to an intended recipient; due to technological advancements writers are now able to send electronic versions of their writings to multiple recipients efficiently. As a matter of fact, due to the possibility to post such works throughout the web, which of course is mainly done through the use of computers, the possibility of a certain work being received and read by an unintended recipient has been considerably increased (Rijlaardam, Bergh, and Couzijn 425).
Expectedly, increased connectivity also has direct effects upon the act or course of writing as well. For one, collaborative writing became a relatively easier pursuit since computer based collaborations and meetings allow for discussions that does not require any direct physical presence; such collaborative writing pursuits may in fact be done either in real time or through message boards (Rijlaardam, Bergh, and Couzijn 425). Thus, previous means of actually meeting up and discussing a certain writing project may now be superseded by such possibilities through the use of technology. Another change, that of course directly affects the act of writing as well, is the possibility to further establish and maintain anonymity (Stewart 263). Given such, writers nowadays are no longer considerably limited in terms of the level of honesty that they may express in certain works; in addition, writers now have the capability to completely portray their thoughts throughout their works without worry as much regarding judgment and personal safety.
As noted beforehand, technological advancements also brought forth new and unique concerns regarding the act of writing, which of course implies that negative effects have been developed as well. Among the most significant concerns is in terms of how the process of writing is conducted, specifically in relation to the common structural work flow utilized in such a pursuit. In particular, the classical process of writing would be from top to bottom, or from the introductory portions up to the conclusion, with the advent of word processing technology however, writers gained the capability to write in a jigsaw and a non-linear manner wherein such sequencing is no longer important (Petelin and Durham 203). Such a process may result in the faster completion of a certain work, it would in fact also allow for increased changes of having problematic sequencing and logical flow. Hence, from the presence of such a concern, it becomes apparent that as the act of writing becoming easier improvements in terms of quality do not always follow.
Aside from the abovementioned concern, other issues and potential problems are existent as well. In this sense, the problem of misled perceptions regarding perfection have been furthered through software based writing activities. The reason for such is that the overall work is considerably perfect from a visual sense, due to the lack of marks or erasures the writer assumes that the work is already perfect, only to find out later that significant mistakes that affect quality are present (Petelin and Durham 203). In addition to such, reviewing what is written or assessing the actual content of a work becomes troublesome as well, since the common writer may tend to merely watch out for automated hints of mistakes and errors, while not all mistakes may be detected by the software. Again, the presence of such concerns imply a possible trade-off between speed and quality in certain cases, emphasizing the fact that the changes and impacts brought forth by technology upon the act of writing is not entirely beneficial. Throughout the discussion, it becomes clear that technology, through the availability of computers and different writing software, has indeed made a considerable impact upon the act of writing which may be seen from the various changes, both positive and negative, that such have caused.
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