Three Mediums

Three Mediums

The standard essay has become the "formal" kind of standardized form of writing out there. We have been taught since elementary school, how to write and format an essay. The most popular was the five paragraph essay-opening, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. This writing is helpful for school, but when it comes to social networking and discussions, I believe the essay is outdated. It's refreshing to think that there are other ways of publishing one's thoughts. I do believe there is a time and place for the essay, but with blogs, powerpoint, and other technologies increasing in popularity, it gives students a different way to view what they're saying in the different mediums.

I know a lot of people dislike the powerpoint, but I happen to think it's a great technique to be used in school presentations and business meetings. Now, I don't agree with students typing paragraphs on the powerpoint slide, but I do see this medium as a helpful way to convey a message. If students and professors limit their powerpoints to brief bullet points and then elaborate, students can visually learn as well as hear the professor explaining the concept. However, the powerpoint has become so normal to my generation that students seem to be forgetting the purpose of the powerpoint and not using it to its full potential. Since powerpoint is such a big part of presentations, it's almost as students don't realize that they are communicating in a different medium and they have to change their writing styles to take full advantage of this technology. But overall, I believe the powerpoint is for short bullet points that do get across points, but also need to be accompanied by someone de-briefing on them.

Lastly the blog, I think the blog is the most casual and informal medium of them all. When I tend to write in a blog, I'm not as worried about the grammar and spelling, as I would be in a formal essay because blogs are less informal. It seems like people feel more "free" to express themselves on a blog and less monitored in what they can and cannot say. Actually writing in this blog, I tend to find that I'm not so concerned with my actual writing techniques but more with my messages. This is what the blog represents, ideas and freedom, not strict guidelines telling someone how they are "supposed" to write.

All in all, I do realize the the differences in the three mediums and I am more aware of how to tailor my message to each one. I believe that the medium is the message, and you have to understand how each one works and the purpose it serves in communicating your ideas.