Writing, Reading, Blogging

Harris, in his book, is very detailed about how reading and writing is defined. Harris writes that the best approach to reading from his view is to first look at the aims (What is the writer trying to achieve? What position does he or she want to argue? What issues or problems does he or she explore?). Then look at the methods (How does a writer relate examples to ideas? How does he or she connect one claim to the next, build a sense of continuity and flow?). And finally the reader has to look at the material itself (Where does the writer go or examples and evidence? What texts are quoted and discussed? What experiences or events are described?), after actually going through what the author is saying in the text.

Harris writes that that the main purpose of writing is the “chance to engage with and rewrite the work of other thinkers” since all writing is basically adding upon to another person’s literary work. That’s the purpose of writing. Next, comes how writing should actually take place. He writes that one good way of coming to terms with a text would be to make a list of the key terms and concepts and then define them if your own words. Harris says writing is all about not just “re-presenting a text but incorporating it into your own project as a writer”, so that you need not only explain what you think it means but also to say something from the perspective from which you read the text. So, the writer will say much about who they are as a writer and about their own interests and values. Harris further breaks down the process of coming to a text with another writer by looking and some moves. Firstly, you have to define the project of the writer in your own terms and make it part of your own prose. Then, you have to note keywords or passages in the text and then assess the uses and limits of this approach.

Both Sullivan’s and Harris’ writing define writing in their own separate ways which can be condensed to form a theory of blogging as writing. Sullivan blogs mainly because it is spontaneous and without any editing which enables him to write down feelings and interests about something on the spot – something which normal writing can not do. What both Sullivan and Harris do when worked together is point out that even though writing should be highly organized and analyzed, writing can include the sending and receiving of personal and instant emotions and feelings along with events on a whim – something which is blogging.