Writing, Texting and Typing

            The three writing spaces I use most frequently are the word processor, classic pen and paper writing, and text messaging. Text messaging is arguably the most unique. It is one of the newest forms of writing to evolve as cell phones are updated and remediated to feature several applications other than phone calls. What makes texting unique is the way it is often abbreviated and used for manys kinds of conversation from business to personal to entertainment. Texting is informal, abstract, and immediate.

            I use the word processor as a writing space mostly for school assignments. One characteristic of the word processor is that it is an electronic writing space. It is the typical example of the evolution of writing from papyrus to scribes to the printing press to the computer. It is a formal medium as most documents crafted on a word processor have structure and identifiable qualities. For example, the most common font used is Times New Roman in 12 pt. size, and when someone sees such text they immediately know where the text was written.

            I use the traditional pen and paper as a writing space for personal note-taking (academic and recreational). I constantly compose lists, reminders, and notes throughout the day when I do not have access to a computer to use a word processor or when what I need to record is more than I can store in my cell phone’s note pad. This writing space is unique in that it is more traditional than others. For thousands of years writers have used a tool to write on a medium. This writing space is physical as opposed to electronic and versatile because it can be formal or informal depending on the content of the writing and who will be reading it.

            The word processor is a remediator of traditional pen and paper writing because it provides a new medium through which writers can express themselves. Writing can be expressed more clearly with a word processor (if a writer has poor handwriting) and faster than physical handwriting.

Text messaging can be viewed as a remediation of word processing. While it is not used for the same purposes as word processing, the text message is electronic like the word processor. The text message is a new form of electronic text, so it is a remediation of the medium that preceded it.