Why Technology Matters to Writing: A Cyberwriter's Tale

Summary:

In his article, "Why Technology Matters to Writing: A Cyberwriter's Tale," Jim porter argues that computers are not just writing tools, "but rather influence the nature of composing and our rhetorical understanding of the composing situation" (384). In other words, writing with computers has changed the way in which you compose.

Porter mentions Dennis Boron's writing, "From Pencils to Pixels." Boron explains that a computer is just another tool for writing. "These tools foster incremental change that aids our writing process, but writing, language, and communication remain pretty much the same as before" (384). Boron claims that computers just help us write, they're just a tool. Using computers won't change the content or the way in which we write. He doesn't believe that computers are the revolutionary technology. On the other, Porter believes that computers have revolutionized the way in which people write. He explains that, "The revolution is the networked computer and the social/rhetorical contexts it creates and the way its use impacts publishing practices" (384). Porter is trying to prove that a pencil or typewriter won't be able to do all of the things that a computer would, and that a computer has changed writing.

Porter also explains that computers are "extensions of my identity, practice, and training as a writer" (385). Computers shape you, and define who you are. Not only that, but computers is a combination of many different tools.

At the end of this article, Porter explains that "Writing is not only the words on the page, but it also concerns mechanism for production" (386). His point is that using a certain tool will affect the way in which you write.

Synthesis:

I strongly disagree with Porter. I dont believe that a certain tool will affect the way in which you write. It may affect the way in which it's delivered or the materialistic quality of the job. I believe that what matters is the content. What is actually being writen, not where or the things that you used to write it. With this being said, I agree Boron in that computers are just helpful tools. I will admit that computers make writing easier, but so they make your thoughts or content better? I dont think so. For example, there are two students who are supposed to write an essay for their history class. Suppose student 1 clearly answeres the prompt and he uses appropriate evidence, but handwrites it. and student 2 does not even answer the prompt, but he types it down. When they get back their graded essays, student 1 sees that he got and A, while student 2 got an F. My point here is that The tool is not important, what's important is the context. Using a computer won't guarantee that your essay will be better. I do believe that it makes writing easier, but it doesnt change the way in which you write.