Courses » » English 101 Section A14. Writing About Conversation

It often seems easier to convey a message during a casual discussion with a friend than to record that message in writing. Even though we sometimes write down the spoken word, writing is its own special kind of conversation–between the author and the reader. This is true whether the writing involved is in the shape of an advertisement, a text message, or a research paper. In this section of first-year writing, we will explore what, exactly, goes into a conversation, whether spoken or written; whether on screen or on the page. We will discuss the linguistic components of a conversation–sound, structure, meaning, and use in context–as well as the rhetorical and stylistic factors that make a conversation effective. As we converse about writing, we will learn how to successfully compose the kinds of conversations that are found in the academic world.