As readers we can sometimes be confused by how words are placed in front of us. Orwell makes a very valid point when he says that some people are using words that will make a person make a judgement about the statement before the actual meaning of the statement can be understood. It is important to consider that our choice of words can force a person to hate our position even when we are just trying to help them understand our point more clearly. There is a social site that offers a wonderful example that proves this point very clearly. That site, Topix, can have people arguing over even spelling in just a few minutes. This site offers everyone the right to look at topics that are local to their area and lets them discuss things that are controversial in a public forum with anonymous names. Many times people will use even names that are even confusing in the English language. I know that if I see a poster trying to put language in those posts that are trying to force the reader to follow their beliefs, I will often feel that I need to post just to make a statement that they need to understand that we are not forced to follow anyone’s certain rule. The site does seem to have people that think they are mediators, but there are no mediators assigned by the site. The people are not required to cite information either. I think that Orwell is making a very important statement that we should have an important change in the evolution of language. This site that I am referring to might make an important pull for this case. Some people use the English language to try and make them look intelligent, but this just doesn’t work for them. If you don’t know the language that well, please don’t use it out of context. Many times people feel confused and spend so much time correcting each other on the site that the actual topic at hand loses track and the whole thing becomes an argument over intelligence. Orwell’s argument is very persuasive and provides information about how important it is to use language that the reader can understand and helps to prove that we should not bias the reader as we write. We need to make our points clear without making the reader quit reading because we have antagonized their religious or personal beliefs with one single sentence. We can use our writing to bring the reader on a journey to show them information instead of trying to force them into a bout of anger or depression simply for our own amusement.
This blog is used for Interdisciplinary Composition. I hope that it is a much fun to read as it will be to write!
You make a valid point in your blog about how this style of writing can cause the reader to become confused which often leads to anger. It can be insulting when a reader has to spend too much time trying to decipher the meaning of a statement.
ReplyDeleteI was unfamiliar with the website, Topix, you referred to in your blog. I visited the site and discovered numerous examples of this type of pretentious writing. There was no lack of individuals attempting to make themselves seem intelligent. These individuals didn’t come across as intelligent to me. They came across as rude and shallow. I think everyone should feel strongly about their beliefs and opinions but think it is offensive when a writer tries to degrade another person for theirs just to feed their own ego.
I agree that this style of writing can cause one to lose interest in what the writer is trying to communicate. Effective writing should keep the reader’s interest through pertinent information and imagery.
I really like your blog! You make valid points regarding the issue at hand here. Some people do use words out of context and end up sounding not as smart as they wanted to appear. If people actually took the time to study the English language instead of just inserting words where they think they belong, maybe things would be clearer.
ReplyDeletePeople do tend to lose track of what the subject is really about because they begin to argue the meaning of words or the context they are used in. If people would just use words in which the manner they are meant to be used, there would be a greater understanding of the point they are portraying to others. I believe that is the problem these days, maybe if politicians simplified their speeches, things would go a little more smoothly.
You also make a valid point that when a reader in unable to understand the writers point, they become irritable because the message is not clear to them. This leaves the reader very frustrated and in the dark of what the writer is trying to convey.
I was also unfamiliar with the link you provided, but like Ashley, I found people insulting each other and being downright hateful. I actually looked at one about how English should be the official language. WOW! The comments are full of people calling others idiots and being degrading towards people they do not even know. People on this website are so angry. Which validates your point; people get off track of what the topic is REALLY about.
I loved your post and that you introduced me to the website, Topix.
Thanks everyone for reading! I hope you all keep up with Topix, it really keeps you up to date with things that are happening in your communities. Even though sometimes those topics are out of hand, some of then can really help to let you know what is happening. Recently we had a fire in town and it told of how we could make donations and how the family was doing. So it can be useful sometimes. I am very impressed with the comments you posted, we have some very intelligent classmates! High fives!
ReplyDelete