Four Letter Word Project: HOPE revisited

Four Letter Word Project on Hope

Final Product

Blog 12/12

"You who asked for advice, listen: When the tower falls, be like that child. Laugh so loud everybody in the world frowns and says, "Shhhh." Then start again."

These words from the end of a poem by Ron Koertge, explain perfectly my advice for anyone beginning WSC 1 with Dr. Lay. She forces you to not only think outside the box, but to write and compose in ways that are far beyond that box's boundaries. She teaches like this poem - writing is certainly not a clean, linear process, but instead one that spirals and moves in all directions.

My advice to anyone starting out would be to release any fears or preconceived notions about writing. I have found that my best writing comes when I stop worrying about what I am going to say, and just say it. It also helps if the subject matter means something to you. So, make EVERYTHING mean SOMETHING. Also, do not be afraid or even hesitant of the writing processes suggested to you. Yes, some may seem strange, but take advantage of them - they really do help you to see things in a new way. At one point in the semester, Dr. Lay gave everyone a piece of paper and crayons. We had to respond to a question using this medium, instead of the usual blog space or a pen. The resulting products further explained and explored a previous subject of conversation regarding visual arguments. In answering a question about flexibility of speech, we also discovered more about visual creations.

Never be afraid of writing anything too strange or too silly. Write with all your heart and spirit and never look back. Create. Explore. Innovate. Write.

Blog 11/12

Are the four-letter word projects writing? (What is writing?) Or, are they compositions, inscriptions, or something else?

In the most unconventional way, the four-letter word montages are writing. Even though there are no words or traditional text on a page, the montages create, illustrate, and defend arguments. It is a strange concept to consider: writing without the inscription of letters and characters. The videos present information in a similar way to the first writing on cave walls and in the dirt. They are pictures, and they mean something. These projects transcend the boundaries and limitations of the standard written word. They force the audience to think in a broader way and break out of the normal mold of writing. So yes! These projects are most certainly writing - just of a different language.

Blog 10/12

In his poem, Hubris at Zunzal, Rodney Jones explores the idea of human compulsion. He writes about losing things, but not missing them or realizing their value until they are gone. He writes about regret in throwing possessions away, especially those that can never come back - those that are washed away by the waves. Jones also briefly mentions the idea of language as an extremely powerful image. He even begins his poem by saying, "No image like the image of language." He argues that the words and thoughts he is about write create an image more powerful than any picture or other visual production.

Blog 9/12

When you put on text (on your person - as clothing/textile, tattoo, or jewelry), do you honestly anticipate readers?

I am not so sure what I anticipate when I wear text (either as clothing or as jewelry). Many times, I guess I wear certain text for reasons, but I do not necessarily expect an audience. If I am going to a public place where I can wear a sweatshirt, I will probably choose one that reads either "Hofstra" or "Merion" or some other place to which I belong. This also poses the question, do we dress for other people and for the opinions of others? I'm not so sure. As a society, we are fairly narcissistic, and we want to be noticed. Still, how many people actual read the text we wear? Perhaps, we wear the text for ourselves - to make ourselves feel like we are part of something.

Blog 8/12

Transcribed sample reviewed in post 7/12

I don't believe that flexibility of voice leads to flexibility in all things. The word "all" can return to haunt the lazy fact-checker, so I will replace it with "most." Flexibility in voice allows or a person to put on or inherit a variety of masks. I once saw an interview on The O'Reilly Factor (yes, fox. My defense is that it pays to know what the enemy is up to) involving Marilyn Manson. I have though, akin to most people, that Marilyn Manson is out. of. his. mind crazy. However, during the interview Manson was quiet, well-spoken, and obviously intelligent. I think that even Mr. O'Reilly was taken aback and had to regroup himself and his questions. The show made me think of Dave Chappelle's quote of "people label you crazy when they can't understand you." This interview showed about as well as anything that a person with an articulate voice can be flexible in many different roles of life.

Blog 7/12

Consider the material nature of the crayon response you are reviewing -- this is not your own writing! Is the writer influenced by the writing implement s/he uses? Is the writer more expressive or less expressive as a result of the physical constraints of the crayoned page? Is this writing any good? How do you know that it is good (or not)?

The writer of the piece I am reviewing was absolutely not influenced by the crayon. He simply wrote as he would have with a pen or with a keyboard. The crayon did not seem to hold him back - or to push him forward creatively. He simply wrote. Don't get me wrong, the writing was good. The author just did not take advantage of the crayon he was given. From the looks of it, he LOVES words, not pictures, images, and colors, and obviously disagrees with the claim that visual arguments can be as powerful as verbal ones. He also seems to disagree with idea that flexibility of voice offers a flexibility of life. He supports his claim though through examples, and fights a good fight... I'm just not so sure I agree.