The Role of Reading and Writing in the Age We Live

Reading involves the act of critically analyzing information to understand the meaning. As indicated by (Hass 5), the information being read can be previous, present or future. On the other hand, writing involves placing knowledge into words and texts. Both reading and writing have been critical in humans life as it helps people to understand themselves, other people and the surrounding. Reading and writing are broad learned skills that take some time for people to practice and master. People can learn and write through their cognitive abilities. Scholars such as Joshua Foer, Brian Doyle, and Susan Griffin have contributed significantly to the concepts of reading and writing with their different perspectives. As indicated by Hass (19), the role of reading and writing in the age we live enables people to connect with each other, share diverse concepts as well as knowledge in different dimensions. Notably, it is through reading and writing that people can develop together, ponders on critical issues in the society, advance research and discover their capabilities to undertake specific activities in the community. Even though Doyle, Griffin, and Foer had different opinions about reading and writing, to some extent, they had conventional views on the concepts. Hence, the purpose of this document is to discuss the role of reading and writing in the age we live in by looking at the different contribution of Griffin, Foer, and Doyle.

Written communication is essential as it can be used for future reference. This role of communication is not far from Foer ideas on the role of communication. As indicated by Foer (165), being in possession of written information would end peoples struggle of having to recall previous information. Written communication makes it easy for people to access historical data as one would quickly go through some written document to get information with a guarantee of accuracy rather than trying to remember. It is through thinking and placing the thoughts in writing that actualizes Foers(165) position in as far as the importance of reading and writing is concerned. From Foers perspective, noting down information would last for long in the memory of the readers. Thus they can remember easily. As such, the advancement of writing would positively influence the mind of human beings in the current era and sharpen their ability to think.

Writing and reading are critical as they contain features that people can relate to. This is evident in the perspectives of writing as postulated by Susan Griffin and Brian Doyle who had a disputable stand to Joshua's contemplations. They pushed for diversified thinking instead of the usual guidelines in writing. Both authors indicate that they would instead use their strategies and abilities in moving towards writing thus, pushing for various ways or rendition restricted to the stipulated writing rules. They indicate that writing is critical when one uses their standard of measures in writing the papers. Nonetheless, Griffin (314) held an alternate restricting stand because of the very furthest reaches of conventional methodologies of getting things done. Because of her dissatisfactions, she believed that incorporating capricious structure towards composing improvement brings meaning to writing. Doyle (116) on the other hand, pushed for the autonomous utilization of metaphors while at the same time breaking a portion of the verbalized traditions of writing. Some conventional structures are connected in academic written work and not merely composing as both of them are extraordinary. These traditions incorporate giving summaries, writing in exposition/passages, developing a hypothesis to be analyzed in the structural body, citing, and changes as well as protecting the assumption through proposition or discoveries. These features of writing are critical as they play a significant role in creating meaning where human beings can easily connect with a structure of writing that suits their personalities.

Reading and writing impacts the way of thinking of humans in the age we are living in and enhances remembrance of data. The three researchers agree on this role of reading and writing. They commonly hold that reading utilizes both traditional and unconventional structures. The two structures can be used conversely in writing. Furthermore, the three contended that the improvement of reading and writing would emphatically influence thinking as well as how people relate to one other. Likewise, they believe that reading and writing bolsters remembrance. Values of scholarly written work conventions can be traced to the following protocols utilized in writing. As stated by Griffin (317), writing traditions, for example, summarizing, citing, creating a hypothesis and finding enhances a better comprehension of the information. Some of the fundamental language structure rules for literary composition incorporate, writing in sentences, verbs. Subjects in the sentence should consent to each other, utilize suitable accentuations, and utilize the right vocabulary as well as appropriate punctuation. Moreover Berry (11) indicates that traditions in writing comprise of style, tone, the framing of contentions, formal languages and jargons. These elements outline their specifications. Style traditions, on the other hand, involve numbers and dates, capitals, print improvements and abbreviations. These types of traditions are utilized as a part of writing, and they make it easy for people to understand concepts and relate to them.

Reading and writing create feelings and emotions, and as such, readers can have imagery in their mind in which they can relate to. Doyle (118) emphasizes further on this role of writing as he believes that writing is all about using descriptive language to create a strong imagery in the mind of the readers. The descriptive writings leave the audience with some sense of connectedness and new found appreciation for the heart. For example, he offers an example of hummingbird where their heart is often affected their emotions (Doyle 119). It can be noted that values attached to writings include; making writing more comfortable to read by putting it in a form that the reader expects and is comfortable with. They also save time and improve the accuracy of the content as well as its credibility. Elements like metaphors in this sense are used to provide short descriptions such use of PowerPoint in denoting the meaning of symbols or abbreviations. Such metaphors are widely used in writing with several other advances in the current age. Metaphors and similes which are also referred to figurative language are essential in engaging peoples minds to enhance their critical thinking abilities. They are literary devices used to bring the comparison of one thing to another while addressing dimensions and vividness to writing work. For instance, when a millennial is told dishonesty is poisonous. He or she can critically think about how being dishonest can be toxic. There is a direct immense directness or likeness when one thing is compared to the other. Similes and metaphors are used widely in poetry as well as in fiction writing. By examining a thing to another, the author can bring in memory or arouse a particular mood or feeling, depending on the choice of words used which then helps the reader to quickly make connections, establish a theme and add interest to the art of writing. In determining or coming up with metaphors and similes, an author will not struggle with finding ambiguous words but rather the very commonly used words or sayings. One example of a metaphor that has been used in contemporary literature is The Long Goodbye used in Raymond Chandlers work. Metaphors and similes ought to be used correctly to avoid confusion.

The use of metaphors in writing or literature is to bring in a short description or cut brief, long description. But they should consist of commonly used sayings and match the items of comparison correctly to avoid confusion. In findings presentation for a research paper should be presented using personal arguments and in summary, form to have a clear understanding. Use of academic conventions too will bring in neatness of the work and make it easier for the reader to read and understand (Hass 21). From the essays perspective, writing would be made easier by use of conventional forms for quality work. Reading and thinking, on the other hand, entails comprehending information whether in written texts or orally stated form. The act of writing and reading positively has bolstered remembrance through memory boost and grasp. The four of them; writing, reading, thinking and remembering are very vital in this digital time as they are integral to communication, connecting to people, sharing of ideas, exchange of knowledge and many other. In modern time, they form the basis of growth in peoples lives as it is through them; people attain growth and development in all aspects and domains of life. In learning and communication, the four have proved of great importance.

As Griffin would say, the acts of reading and writing remain efficiently proficient, and human beings can always link with one another. In modern times technology has shifted the structure by which people can partake in these two. For instance, Berry (7) says that blogs and social media in one way or the other prepare young people to develop interest and become excellent readers and writers. This can be attributed to the very positive skills and insights impacted by the shifting technologies in digital time. Different digital tools have been used in coloring the acts of writing and reading. Electronic files, books, and templates are now available for students to use as well as online literacy tools that can be used to adjust the complexity of information or file for easy reading and comprehending. Both acts are now shifting to be online as opposed to early times when technology couldnt allow the online basis. It is through the discovery and use of the modern tools such as Google Docs that a student can read an article in both online and offline mode. One can work on different pieces of writing both from home and school. Many digital tools have been widely used to help and support students on how to genuinely read, take well-cited notes to help them remember the content afterward.

In summary, reading and writing play a significant role in the current world that we live in. Other than making access to information easy, reading and writing help people connect andreflect of their life experiences as well as develop critical thinking abilities. The three scholars, Foer, Griffin, and Doyle, have written essays regarding reading, and even though their articles have different perspectives, they have immensely given the insights on how reading, writing, thinking, and remembrance can be correctly done to be integral in learning and teaching. The three scholars commonly argued that the four concepts marry each other and are very important.

Works Cited

Berry, David M. "Introduction: Understanding the digital humanities." Understanding digital humanities. Palgrave Macmillan UK, 2012. 1-20.

Doyle, Brian. Joyas Voladoras. Ways of Reading. 10th ed. Ed. David Bartholomae, Anthony Petrosky, and Stacey Waite. Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2014. 146-149. Print.

Foer, Joshua. The End of Remembering. Ways of Reading: An Anthology for Writers (2014): 160-177.

Griffin, Susan. "Our Secret." Ways of Reading: An Anthology for Writers (2008): 310-359.

Haas, Christina. Writing technology: Studies on the materiality of literacy. Routledge, 2013.