8 Sept HW

Jelani Pritchard

Professor Werry

RWS 100

8 Sept. 2014   

Draft

            Some may ask teachers, scholars, or authors an interesting question in regards to literature in society today; What makes an individual a skilled writer? Clive Thompson, a Canadian journalist, blogger, and writer, may have an answer to that. In his book, "Smarter Than You Think," he addresses the factors on what may make an individual a good writer. His purpose in writing this text was to help readers explore the factors that affect the skill of a writer. Thompson addresses the audience effect and how an audience can actually alter the quality of work an individual may write. He also discusses the idea of the multiples, how individuals can connect with another on a cognitive level through literature on networks. Thompson presents his claims to the audience through sought out statistical research, experiments from Universities, and information from qualitative authority. Thompson persuades us that the internet and the advancement of technology has improved our skills in writing without us actually being aware of it. In this paper I will explore his claims of the audience effect, the multiples, and the effect of the internet/technological advancement on improving writing skills of individuals.

            In the text, Thompson points out that the internet/technological advancement  has helped people write more and even improved their writing skills. Thompson supports his claim by stating that through social networks and emails, individuals are making huge accomplishments  without even knowing it. According to Thompson, "we compose of 154 billion emails, 500 million tweets on Twitter, 1 million blog posts and comments,  and about 150 billion words written on Facebook each day" (Thompson 47). Thompson also provides researched data from an English Professor from Stanford University who states, "teens who message online appear to have better spelling and literacy abilities from those who do not" (Thompson 67). The evidence Thompson provides helps support his claim. I believe that individuals who use the internet are more active in writing than those who are not. The more writing an individual will do, the better the writer they are. Thompson uses statistical data to strengthen his argument for the audience. Thompson believes that there are other factors that affects the quality of writing an individual composes, such as the audience effect.