bryson and dawkins

Bryson:

ByR:

3. How has technology changed the way we speak to each other? Is it grammatically correct? Does that affect your understanding of what others are saying? Can you come up any examples of ‘new’ words?

Technology has made social interaction very different. People may talk to others very differently through technology than to their face. For example they may be more open or forward with someone because they have a computer screen or telephone as a mask to hide behind. Also when using technology people tend to abbreviate their words or use slang, to make things quicker to type, such as “U ok?” meaning, are you okay? This may affect the way we write if we are doing a formal letter because we may unconsciously type an abbreviated version rather than the formal version. Sometimes using abbreviated words can mislead others which can cause confusion/

QfDaJ:

1. Define prescriptive and descriptive. What kind of grammar instruction have you encountered in the past? Give examples.

Prescriptive is when something is a rule which has to be accepted as it is and descriptive is something with can be interpreted in a specific way so is likely to change.I have encountered prescriptive in the past. At primary school we are told information which prepares us for writing in a specific way. For example, always putting a full stop at the end of a sentence and always putting a capital letter if it’s someone’s name.

AaEI:

1. Describe some of the ways Bryson says language changes over time. Where do you see this in Modern English? Would Bryson condone or condemn the change?

Bryson believes that English is changing as time goes on. He believes that we speak very differently now, compared to the past. Due to technology changes abbreviated words are encouraged along with slang phrases.  

Dawkins:

QfDaJ:

1. What conceptions about writing is Dawkins challenging?

Dawkins is challenging how reliable punctuation rules are, such as the inconsistent use of commas. He looks at how punctuation can change the tone of a sentence which is why he believes rules are not suited for every situation.

5. What do you know about punctuation now that you didn’t know before reading Dawkins?

Punctuation can be used to link single independent clauses together. I did not realise that adding different forms of punctuation in different parts of a sentence would change the tone and look of the sentence as much as it does. For example, having a full stop rather that an exclamation mark gives the sentence a much more blunt and serious reflection.

AaEI:

4. Think about your experiences as a writer in high school or middle school. Can you think of rules or directions you were given that just didn’t make sense to you, and still don’t? Write a letter to a past teacher creating an argument for why one or two common rules seem unnecessary. Remember to say not only what you think but why, giving the best reasons and examples you can think of.  

Dear Mrs Smith

I believe that when you taught me English you decided to just settle on basic rules rather than expanding on topics. For example the use of commas can be used to join sentences or other punctuation can be used depending on the type of sentence and the structure of the sentence. I believe teaching the basic restricts writing and puts a boundary on writing which does not allow creativity of the writer to show.