OP/EDS
As a mechanical engineering major, I come from a background where objectivity is the standard. Facts are what are most important and claims need to be meticulously supported. Subjectivity is nowhere to be found. And yet I can be easily riled up and let my emotions take over. While reading though the current op/ed articles I kept getting more and more worked up, and continually had to stop and attempt to separate my feelings from what I was reading, and try to think of it as if I was coming from the other side. With that being said I have a feeling I will take very little issue with transitioning from objective writing to writing that is much more subjective.
This blog in particular, I believe, will be the best opportunity to delve into the world of more subjective writing. A blog is a perfect step into subjective writing for almost anybody. It gives the author a platform to deliver their message to the world whatever way they want to. A blog has almost no limitations. No censorship, no word count limit, as many pictures or hyperlinks as you need, and the ability for almost anybody to access your work. That last part is arguably the most important. Blogs are an invention of the internet, and that makes them a very special piece of writing. Because blogs are on the internet that means that anybody, anywhere, with an interest access can read your blog. Of course if there's a way to share your opinions with as many people possible, there are going to be lots of people who are going to have a lot to say. Blogs have become one of the most popular places for people to discuss anything controversial. However the blog itself is partly to blame. When discussing rhetorical situations, its important for the author to make their position seem relevant. With a blog the author can boost their position by directing the reader to an article that has more research or one with a more reputable author through hyperlinks. Blogs also allow the author to add as many pictures as they would like. Strategic pictures to elicit certain emotions at the opportune time can help the author convince the reader without them even being aware why.
So for my first journey into subjective writing I'll be taking a look at the op/ed "The Corrupt Bargain of the Adults in the Room," by Michelle Goldberg. In this article Goldberg discusses the ongoing supreme court confirmation process of Brett Kavanaugh. First however, I need to know what an op/ed is. According to Havard Kennedy School a blog should be, between 750 and 800 words, have a clearly defined point, a clearly defined point of view, represent clarity of thinking, and contain the strong, unique voice of the writer. The reason I chose this article is because I have been watching much of the late night coverage of the Mueller investigations and Brett Kavanaughs nomination hearings. I would like to use this as an opportunity to learn more about exactly what is going on and the consequences that may come.
Op/ed's have their limitations though. According to the New York Times, "The ideal reader of an op-ed is the ordinary subscriber— a person of normal intelligence who will be happy to learn something from you". However I disagree with that. I believe that op/ed's are very much pandered to the writer's own base most of the time. More often the author seems to get so lost in seeking approval for the audience they are writing to they completely isolate other audiences.
This blog in particular, I believe, will be the best opportunity to delve into the world of more subjective writing. A blog is a perfect step into subjective writing for almost anybody. It gives the author a platform to deliver their message to the world whatever way they want to. A blog has almost no limitations. No censorship, no word count limit, as many pictures or hyperlinks as you need, and the ability for almost anybody to access your work. That last part is arguably the most important. Blogs are an invention of the internet, and that makes them a very special piece of writing. Because blogs are on the internet that means that anybody, anywhere, with an interest access can read your blog. Of course if there's a way to share your opinions with as many people possible, there are going to be lots of people who are going to have a lot to say. Blogs have become one of the most popular places for people to discuss anything controversial. However the blog itself is partly to blame. When discussing rhetorical situations, its important for the author to make their position seem relevant. With a blog the author can boost their position by directing the reader to an article that has more research or one with a more reputable author through hyperlinks. Blogs also allow the author to add as many pictures as they would like. Strategic pictures to elicit certain emotions at the opportune time can help the author convince the reader without them even being aware why.
So for my first journey into subjective writing I'll be taking a look at the op/ed "The Corrupt Bargain of the Adults in the Room," by Michelle Goldberg. In this article Goldberg discusses the ongoing supreme court confirmation process of Brett Kavanaugh. First however, I need to know what an op/ed is. According to Havard Kennedy School a blog should be, between 750 and 800 words, have a clearly defined point, a clearly defined point of view, represent clarity of thinking, and contain the strong, unique voice of the writer. The reason I chose this article is because I have been watching much of the late night coverage of the Mueller investigations and Brett Kavanaughs nomination hearings. I would like to use this as an opportunity to learn more about exactly what is going on and the consequences that may come.
Op/ed's have their limitations though. According to the New York Times, "The ideal reader of an op-ed is the ordinary subscriber— a person of normal intelligence who will be happy to learn something from you". However I disagree with that. I believe that op/ed's are very much pandered to the writer's own base most of the time. More often the author seems to get so lost in seeking approval for the audience they are writing to they completely isolate other audiences.
Ah, the ideal reader of an op/ed. I am an idealist, and that would be ideal: Rational readers who are considering, learning, evaluating the words of a columnist. And yet, we do not live in an ideal world. I agree that the most of the time authors pander to people who already agree with the basic idea so much that they isolate other audiences.
ReplyDeleteNot always, but most of the time.
Great post.
As a fellow mechanical engineer, your point of facts being king in the field, holds so true. There is always a distinct right or wrong answer. That's what makes these blogs such a great outlet for your personal opinions. The internet is quite the double-edged sword in the freedom it offers.
ReplyDelete