Blog 15: Short Analysis Project

             In writing studies, the term “discourse” is used with ease, and it is as though it is assumed that every person is born using this word on a daily basis. However, discourse is a multifaceted, often difficult to understand, topic. In its simplest explanation, discourse is defined as, “how language is used.” Discourse also encompasses in what context the language is used because every region, people, group, and even situation has its own language and ways to properly use it. People in writing studies who research discourse, often use discourse analysis to thoroughly examine all the aspects of discourse described in an effort to understand how and why the person expressed these specific words in such a particular way. One of the ways this is accomplished is why analyzing the cultural stories used in language. Researcher James Gee refers to this topic as “Conversations,” which are popular stories and opinions, whether they are true or not, that are associated with a topic. In the following essay, the cultural stories mentioned in an interview transcript about revision with high school and college students will be explored. For clarification, the interviewer is referred to as H and the interviewee is referred to as A. In addition, H and A are both college students from New Jersey and the cultural stories expressed are those pertaining to the culture of the American East Coast. The excerpts examined include cultural stories about high school education, English majors, and proofreading and revision. 

Excerpt 1

H – (Laughter) Um, so when did you first like learn about revision?

A – Honestly, this is gonna be really embarrassing, but like in high school, I never revised any of my stuff. I kinda just handed it in and I didn’t care. Um, my freshman year of college I learned my revision and like taking the time to actually go print things out and relook at it over again. Freshman year of college (Laughter) That’s sad.

            In this excerpt, popular ideas on high school education are expressed. First, A mentions that in high school she did not revise and simply turned in assignments without caring. This refers to the cultural story that high school students are teenagers who are not serious about education in general, or any topic for that matter. By saying she did not care and “kinda just handed [papers] in,” A is shedding light on the truth of this matter. Although it is not a definite trait of high school students, it is a possibility and could even be the norm for some students. However, there are exceptions to every rule. A then conveys how it is a shame that she only learned about proper revision methods in her freshman year of college. This opinion explores the ever-controversial topic that American high school education is suffering and that there are issues that need to be addressed—one of them being that revision needs to be taught earlier so that students can go into college knowing how to ameliorate drafts of a paper to make them almost ideal for turning in to a professor. Education is a sensitive subject depending on who is talking about it. Although there are people that dedicate their entire lives to assuaging American education, it still has the connotation that it is currently in a downward spiral.

Excerpt 2

H – Okay, sounds good. Um, is there anything that we haven’t talked about with revision that you feel like that you want to add? Any topic?

A – Uh, uhhh. Just about how like I think it should probably be taught at an earlier age. Like I think in high school it should be taken a lot more seriously so that way it isn’t just something you learn when you’re in college. Like people would get into way better colleges if they knew that beforehand. Like they could have written way better essays. Like unless you were at home and your mother was like an English major, you’re not gonna know how to do all those revision things or unless you went to like some preparatory school in like the richest place ever. So I think it should be taught at an earlier age.

            In this selection, A took the opportunity to express a thought she is passionate about in the ways of revision—that revision should be taught to students earlier. However, the cultural story she alludes to is about English majors. In mentioning that only children with English majors for mothers are going to know the benefits of revision from an early age, A is expressing the popular opinion that English majors are great revisers and know the best methods of revision. It is not a ludicrous assumption. English majors go to college for four years learning the ins and outs of the English language, and after so much time spent on these studies, one would assume these produce perfect writing. However, this is not the case. Every person is different, as is his or her writing and revision techniques. Paradoxically, some English majors do not revise at all, while some Biology majors are obsessive about their revision strategies. A degree does not make a respectable writer, the time and effort a person takes in perfecting his or her writing does.          

Excerpt 3

H – (Laughter) Um, do you think that revision is only like proofreading? 

A – Umm, no. I think proofreading is taking it more lightly. I think that –clears throat- excuse me. Proofreading is kinda  just going over it a couple times on your computer, not really going through the whole process of crossing out and highlighting and speaking it to other people. Proofreading to me is just a quick look over.

            In this passage, there is not a connection to the normal opinion, similar the prior two examples. In fact, this is a time where A contradicted the norm. She explains how she believes that revision and proofreading are two separate entities. Although she believes this way, a common cultural story is that revising a piece of the writing is the same as proofreading a piece of writing. However, as A says, proofreading is not as intense of a process as revision. In actuality, proofreading is the act of looking over a piece of writing and finding and pointing out the spelling errors and grammar mistakes. It can even involve organization issues throughout a paper. However, where revision takes it a step further is it is the act of actually making those changes that proofreading has highlighted. It also incorporates the focus of writing and if it makes sense to a reader. Where proofreading identifies the superficial errors, revision attempts to fix both the superficial and deep-rooted errors to make the writing into something new and improved. Although there is a wide-spread opinion that proofreading and revision are interchangeable, they are clearly two completely diverse processes.  
            There are common beliefs and misconceptions in all cultures. These are cultural stories that are brought up just as the topic is mentioned in conversation or writing. Through experiences and obstacles that a culture has faced, its people form an opinion on certain topics. While A did not mention several the cultural stories that involve revision, or even adhere to cultural stories solely about revision, she did reveal a glimpse into the vast, miscellaneous world of American cultural stories. Cultural stories will always be around as long as there are people to develop them. However, as with most things, in time, they do go through their own changes and will forever be indefinite.