I am not usually very fond of textbooks, but this one is not bad so far. The way it shows examples of what it's saying is nice, and it helps the subject to be more understandable. It relates writing to the press and the arts which makes it easier to see the differences between message, method, and medium.
I think being able to find the message of a piece of work, is extremely helpful. Every writer, director, or painter could be given the exact same concept but show it in an entirely different way. As the consumer of the work, to be able to pinpoint the idea they were going for is a very important skill. this might also help in ways that are not directly linked to media or the arts. I think this skill helps with getting to know people. When you really get to know someone, you can understand what they mean when maybe no one else can. They can say something and get people all confused and then you could come in and explain what they mean. You can see the message in all sorts of things. This skill can also show you how other people's minds work, they can interpret the same piece of writing in a way you wouldn't think to. Once you retrace their steps though, you can begin to see what they were thinking.
Glad you're finding the textbook tolerable, Melanie.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good example:
>>I think this skill helps with getting to know people. When you really get to know someone, you can understand what they mean when maybe no one else can. They can say something and get people all confused and then you could come in and explain what they mean. <<
We do develop a certain understanding of people to whom we are close. We get them, so to speak - not just their message, but their methods - their body language, intonation, and manner of speaking. Close friends can probably deliver messages to one another far more smoothly than strangers.