For me, in this environment — with respect to digital compositions — an [About] page ought to disclose something about the blogger’s writerly self. I suppose I ought to enact that process here.
I hesitate, because writing is extremely difficult for me at times, but it is always rewarding. There is after all some pleasure in sharing what’s on one’s mind. In fact, writing gives me time to gather in my ideas, so that I can share those thoughts more cogently and more completely. And writing helps me get what I want. I write for my classes — assignments and examination prompts, feedback and recommendation letters — but I also write a variety of other professional genres — emails, proposals, grants, abstracts, academic articles, essays, introductions, research-related materials. It’s writing that helps me get what I want to do the work that I love.
I take writing and revision very seriously, because I think the written word is potentially the most powerful thing I will create (aside from my children, that is.) And I think writing — mine, yours — will reach and perhaps influence people outside of our lifetimes. I like that notion.
When I consider the way words work and how they come together to make meaning, I am fascinated. Words bump and push; they also whisper and breathe. I like to witness the power of the written word, and I like to try my hand at making that power, too.
We are writing in a digital age – what some have termed the Late Age of Print. I’m not nostalgic for the page – I still keep print texts about me — but I am enthusiastic about the possibilities that writing in digital spaces affords.
I teach writing and history of the English language at Hofstra University. I teach in Honors College. I teach first-year writing, and I teach business writing. I am really intrigued by the changing nature of literacy during our digital times. Be prepared to experiment in new media composing if you take my classes. Because blogging impacts writing in important ways, all of my students blog. I hope blogging will impact the way you write and the way you think about writing.
Welcome to WSC 124: digital compositions.
Digital Compositions 