Writing of the twenty-first century is, in many ways, no different than any other century. At its core, its purpose remains simple: to tell a story as effectively and clearly as possible. The means through which to effectively share that story have and are changing rapidly, making writing of the twenty-first century far different physically than ever before.
Any writing of the twenty-first century must naturally embrace the media of the twenty-first century, which allows for a high level of interactivity. Interactivity has three main iterations:
- Conceptualization: The reader has contact with other people’s conceptualizations. This involves interaction between the reader’s “pre-existing framework of understanding and a new exposition."
- Construction: “The application and testing of new conceptualizations…” This involves the building of the reader’s own “framework of understanding."
- Dialogue: The “creation and testing of new conceptualizations during conversation with both tutors and fellow learners."
Writing of the twenty-first century breaks down the walls between these three iterations of interactivity and blends them together. Conceptualization can occur simultaneously with construction, while real-time dialogue can affect both as they happen. Interactivity allows for constantly changing and revitalizing texts, and a deeper connection between writer and reader than ever before. Roles become blurred; the author can simultaneously exist as the creator and the consumer. The communicative ease of the internet allows for collaborative writing and editing on a level never before possible.
Technology can be both a help and a hindrance: In translating these concepts of interactivity to newer media, such as the film, web page, podcast, computer game, etc., the text begins to take on new aspects and foundations that may not have existed in print. At times, messages are lost or created anew in translation. Storytelling in these mediums often provides simplification of huge subjects; instead of large, long blocks of text, readers receive information through images, audio, and other visual components, which are often processed more quickly. Additionally, presentation through these mediums is closer to real-world experience (i.e., highly visual), making it more likely that readers will gravitate towards them.
It's important to remember, however, that no format or medium can serve as a magic wand for good writing. Whatever the medium or the benefits/limitations it presents, a story must be good at its core in order to succeed.
I hope you enjoy and learn from this website. Click here to read the original Word document that inspired this site, which includes a bibliography!-Jessica Ilko `07
