Prompt 8 - Extra Credit

One can express oneself in a variety of ways, including forms like formal writing, as well as different media like body modification. All of these forms of expression serve different purposes, and therein lies why we do them differently. In formal writing, one is expressing oneself in a clear, proper, and respectful manner, so one can be understood and give the impression of being intelligent and informed. This is where the composition comes in; standard composition allows for maximum clarity in formal writing. To allow oneself’ to be understood in this medium is a powerful tool, as writing is such a high-impact medium in today’s society. Things like art could also be translated to writing. Technical drawings like architects do, or drawings for design, are also important in conveying information, and I’d correlate that form of art to formal writing. Another closely related one is film, especially documentary film. When one chooses a medium for expression, the deciding factor of what it is is what is intended to be expressed. More individualistic things lend themselves to more informal methods of expression, while conveying of information palatable to all is best conveyed in a more formal way. Not only the subject is important, but the audience, as well. Who is to perceive this which one wants to express, and how do they relate to author? One could also consider the audience’s relationship to the subject; how it would be best interpreted and understood by them. All parts of the rhetorical triangle are used in determining what media one chooses, and to what degree of formality, if it is a general medium like writing or visual media. It’s important to learn how to do these things, for maximum benefit in society as we know it today.