Abstract/Pitch

 How Technology Shapes Writing Across Generations:

Writing is changing faster than it ever has. Technology has reshaped our expression, from social media captions to AI-generated responses. But how does this impact creativity, originality, and communication? In my project, I'm exploring how people from different generations, backgrounds, and careers navigate writing in the digital age. 

For college students (18-24): We grew up in the digital world, where writing happens through tests, tweets, and AI-powered tools. Does this make writing easier, or are we losing creativity and critical thinking? How much of your own writing is truly yours, and how much is influenced by the technology around you?

For Young Professionals (25-34): As you transition yourself from school to the workplace, writing takes on new forms: emails, reports, etc. Social media plays a big role in personal branding, but does adapting to online trends make writing better, or does it water down originality? How does technology help or hurt your ability to communicate effectively in your career?

For Established Professionals (35-45): You remember a time before AI tools and predictive text. Now, writing is faster, more efficient, and sometimes even automated. But is something being lost throughout the process? Have you had to adjust your writing style to keep up with modern communication, and do you see these changes as progress or a problem?

I am talking to people across these age groups to understand how their upbringing, education, and careers ultimately shape their approach to writing with technology. Whether you handwrite notes, draft emails on the go, or rely on AI tools, your experience matters in this conversation. 

I want to hear from you. How has technology shaped the way you write? Drop a comment, share your story, or reach out- let's talk about the future of writing in a tech-driven world!

I sent this blog post out to my Instagram story for people to swipe up on, and I made it a Facebook post for people to comment on.

Research Questions

 For this second unit project, I want to explore further how people with different perspectives and lives have been impacted by the use of technology with writing. The three questions I came up with were: 

1. In what ways does the use of technology in writing impact the authenticity and originality of content?

2. What role does social media play in shaping modern writing styles and communication norms? 

3. How has artificial intelligence influenced the way people approach writing and creative expression?

I got three different people I know to use for these three questions: 

1. My stepmom: My stepmom prefers to write on paper and sticks to the writing techniques she learned throughout her education. She is unfamiliar with AI tools like ChatGPT an prefers to not use these kinds of tools mostly because she doesn't know how to use them. When discussing authenticity, she emphasized that technology might dilute originality, as writers or students my age may start to become reliant on digital tools rather than their own skills. She believes that handwriting forces more deliberate through and connection to the writing process. 

2. My friend: One of my friends is a public relations major and frequently engages with online social media platforms. She has learned different types of writing and rules specific to her major and also uses digital writing tools to enhance her work. She noted that social media has greatly influenced modern writing styles, making them more concise, engaging, and audience driven. However, she also pointed out the challenges of maintaining professionalism while adapting to the evolving trends of online language. 

3. My other friend admitted that she frequently uses ai-assisted writing tools and said sometimes that she feels like she over-relies on them for classwork. Since these tools provide quick and structured responses, she has never felt the need to change her approach to writing. While she uses social media, see doesn't actively analyze communication styles but occasionally picks up on trending lingo. She acknowledged that AI tools have made writing more accessible but worries that they might hinder creativity and critical thinking skills over time. 

This activity highlighted how technology's role in writing may differ depending on personal experiences and professional backgrounds. Traditional writers and people from older generations may see it as a threat to originality, while those immersed in digital communication embrace it for efficiency engagement.  

Unit 1 Reflection

     After completing my unit one portfolio, I feel confident in the direction that my project is going and the quality of the four sources I chose to share and annotate. Each source gives a unique dive into the conversation about writing and technology, offering a mix of empirical research, historical context, and opinion. The variety of genres and authors throughout my sources has allowed me to have a well-rounded deep dive into our inquiry. Additionally, after completing each source I have been able to focus on the path I want to take throughout our next few units. These articles have ranged from academic studies to feature articles, and I was able to determine the quality of my sources based on their creditability, depth of analysis, and relevance to our inquiry. 

    The source written by Hetty Roessingh named, "Note-taking by hand: A powerful tool to support memory," is one example of a high-quality source that I found. Roessingh, a professor at the University of Calgary, provided an educational research piece that blends scientific evidence with practical advice. For example, she states, "I assign my own students, preparing to be teachers, the task of sketching the layout of the class where they are working in a field placement. They also take observational hand-written notes recoded in a Cornell template." I find that it was super helpful that she talked about the Cornell template in a research-based manner but also how she uses it herself. This academic creditability, coupled with her application of real-world examples like Leonardo da Vinci and Florence Nightingale's documentation practices, makes the article a strong addition to my collection. Ultimately, I chose this source because it gives a great mixture of her own opinion while also enforcing the facts into her article. 

    On the other hand, my feature article, "A Pencil Shop, for Texting the Old-Fashioned Way," by Molly Young, adds a cultural and nostalgic angel to the discussion. Young explores C.W. Pencil Enterprise, a store completely dedicated to pencils and how it thrives within our digital age. She writes, "Because pencils have a credible use, and this single-minded store is able to transcend its novelty status." This article demonstrates how storytelling and vivid imagery made a compelling case on how traditional writing tools can stay relevant despite technological advancements. While it is not an academic study, it contributes to where I want to focus my project into of how some people desire tangible, non-digital experiences. 

       A final example of one of the sources I chose was Abdullah Alsaleh's "The Impact of Technological Advancement on Culture and Society" provides a broad analysis of how technology shapes modern life. Throughout the article he balances positives and negatives of technology on our culture. For example, he states, "A notable concern is the potential for digital technologies to entrench existing inequalities. For instance, communities with limited internet access or technological infrastructure may find themselves excluded from cultural and economic opportunities. Moreover, the lack of representation for minority cultures in digital content and platforms can lead to a loss of cultural diversity." This is just one example of a quote from his article that highlights the deep understanding of how digital tools can negatively affect our society. Ultimately, I picked this article because it is highly important to visit both the positives before making a conclusion on anything.

    Technology played a significant role in enhancing my project. One key example is how I utilized online databases like the Syracuse library database. I was able to find a research-based article by searching up key words in order to find something that worked for our inquiry. Furthermore, just being able to use google to find other sources helped me to dive deeper. Furthermore, digital annotation tools allowed me to highlight key points in my sources to make notes for easy summarizing. 

    Looking at the quality of my sources in my topic right now, I can see that there is a significant amount of research on the benefits and drawbacks of technology in writing and education. However, there ultimately will always be certain gaps. One area that I could further research into would be the long-term effects of AI-assisted writing on students' critical thinking and originality. However, this may be hard because AI powered apps like ChatGPT have not been around long enough to fully dive down that rabbit hole. Additionally, more studies on how different demographic groups engage with writing technology, such as low-income students versus wealthier students. Ultimately, for the next units I really want to dive deeper in how students are being affected by technological advancements. Furthermore, also expressing how I feel about the use of technology in the classroom and how technology has changed throughout my education.

    For our future projects, I see myself using several of these sources. For Unit 2, which focuses on analyzing how writing and technology interact in specific contexts, Roessingh's research on handwriting and AI's influence on writing feedback would be highly relevant. I could expand the debate over whether digital tools enhance or hinder the writing process for students. During this unit, I challenged myself by engaging with a mix of empirical research and narrative-driven journalism. When reading the research articles, I had to carefully analyze data and interpret some findings. Additionally, when reading the first source by Young I was a little skeptical about how this niche business would fit into my research, but I ultimately realized how it contributed to the broader theme of nostalgia and resistance to digital dominance. 

    As a result of this unit, I improved my ability to summarize information from a variety of different sources. I also became more acknowledged on how to think about the gaps that certain research articles may have within them. Overall, this unit allowed me to refine my critical thinking skills and develop a deeper understanding of how writing and technology intersect in our society today. 

Unit 1 Portfolio

 Source 1: A Pencil Shop, for Texting the Old-Fashioned Way - The New York Times    ✎

    The author of this article, Molly Young focuses on diving into the nostalgia and practical appeal of a store that is entirely dedicated to pencils. The store, C.W. Pencil Enterprise is located in Lower Manhattan and owned by Caroline Weaver. Young explores why this store exists in an era where most people use a form to technology for their daily writing use. This article is driven by Kairos, the timely irony of a pencil shop thriving in the digital age that we live in today, that stems from the cultural nostalgia for simpler experiences. 

    Throughout the article Young highlights the experiences and connection that comes with the store. For example, she highlights the shop's aesthetic, "With its spanking newness and luminous blocks of color, the place looks like an Edward Hopper canvas." This type of language and imagery gives the reader an idea of the kind of mood that captured throughout the store. Young's audience likely includes readers who are intrigued by niche businesses or others who are interested in cultures. She highlights how the structure of the shop sells different pencils from around the world. Her writing reflects a mix of skepticism and fascination, to readers who might initially dismiss a pencil shop as frivolous but leave intrigued. 

    This article is a feature piece, a genre focused on storytelling and vivid descriptions rather than the hard news we see daily. Young does a deep dive into one particular pencil story rather than a broad analysis of the pencil industry as a whole. The genre influences the project by emphasizing human interest, aesthetic details, and anecdotes over technical and financial data. For example, the article includes in detail descriptions like, "A pencil shaped like a cigarette, to freak out the customer's mother." This style of storytelling allows readers to get excited about the piece. 

    Young succeeds in making an article about pencils, enticing and entertaining for readers. Her detailed description of the store's ambiance and the owner's enthusiasm creates an immersive experience for readers. Her detailed allowed me to spark interest into something I may have glanced over. This article highlights how the shop encases novelty, showcasing its function as a nostalgic yet practical business, 'Because pencils have a credible use, and this single-minded store is able to transcend its novelty status."

    However, this article fits into the broader conversation about the reusage of simple tools in our digital age. It aligns with the trends like vinyl record and handwritten letter coming back into trend. This article related to the fact that people often seek tactile, and intentional experiences in an increasingly virtual world. It demonstrates that people want to feel the comfort of nostalgia and encase in their culture. The store's ethnos, describes as, "A monument of the joys of back-to-school-shopping," taps into a collective want for simplicity and craftmanship. 

    Young's piece effectively captures the charm and uniqueness of C.W. Pencil Enterprise. Overall, the blend of detail, historical contexts, and light humor allows readers to make this a memorable reading. A New York Times feature allows for C.W. Pencil Enterprise to reach a wider audience for those who are interested in niche businesses. Young's work reminds us that even the most overlooked objects, like pencils, have a story to tell. 

Unit 1 Draft

 Source 1: A Pencil Shop, for Texting the Old-Fashioned Way

    Molly Young focuses on exploring the nostalgia and practical appeal of a store entirely dedicated to pencils. The Store, C.W. Pencil Enterprise is in Lower Manhattan is owned by Caroline Weaver. Young examines why this store exists in an era where most people use a form of technology for their daily writing use. The article driven by Kairos, the timely irony of a pencil shop thriving in the digital age we live in today, that stems from the cultural nostalgia for simpler experiences. 

    Throughout the article Young highlights the experience and connection that comes with the store. For example, she highlights the shop's aesthetic, "With its spanking newness and luminous blocks of color, the place looks like an Edward Hopper canvas." This give readers an idea of the mood of the shop and how inviting it is. 

    Young's audience likely includes readers who are intrigued by niche businesses or others who are interested in cultures. She highlights how the structure of the shop is based on different pencils from around the world. Her writing reflects a mix of skepticism and fascination, to readers who might initially dismiss a pencil shop as frivolous but leave intrigued. 

    This article is a feature piece, a genre focused on storytelling and vivid descriptions rather than the hard news we see daily. Young shows a deep dive into one singular pencil story rather than a broad analysis of the pencil industry as a whole. The genre of this influences the project by emphasizing human interest, aesthetic details, and anecdotes over technical or financial data. For example, the article includes in detail descriptions, "A pencil shaped like a cigarette, to freak out the customer's mother." This style of storytelling allows readers to resonate and get excited about the piece. 

    Young succeeds in making an article about pencils, enticing and entertaining for readers. Her detailed description of the store's ambiance and the owner's enthusiasm to create an immersive experience for readers. Her detail allowed me to feel excited and now aware that this store exists. This article highlights how the shop encases novelty, showcasing its function as a nostalgic yet practical haven, "Because pencils have a credible use, this single-minded store is able to transcend its novelty status." 

    However, this article fits into the broader conversation about the reusage of simple tools in our digital age. It aligns with the trends like vinyl records and handwritten letters coming back into trend. This article relates to that fact that people seek tactile, and intentional experiences in an increasingly virtual world. It demonstrates that people want to feel the comfort of nostalgia and encase in their culture. The store's ethos, described as, "A monument of the joys of back-to-school-shopping," taps into a collective want for simplicity and craftmanship.

    Young's piece effectively captures the charm and uniqueness of C.W. Pencil Enterprise. Overall, the blend of detail, historical contexts, and light humor allows readers to make this a memorable read. A New York Times feature allows for C.W. Pencil Enterprise to reach a wider audience for those who are interested in niche businesses like this. Young's work reminds us that even the most overlooked objects, like pencils, have a story to tell. 

Source 2: Using artificial intelligence to foster students’ writing feedback literacy, engagement, and outcome

    The article, "Using Artificial Intelligence to Foster Student's Writing Feedback Literacy Engagement and Outcome" by Hannah Shafee Rad, Rasoul Alipour, and Aliakbar Jafarpou explores the integration of AI into educational settings to enhance students' writing. As our inquiry is to explore and examine writing and technology, this research article focuses on the combinations of both. This study examines Wordtune, which is an AI writing assister for writing. It gives feedback which is beneficial for students to understand what revisions could be made to their writing. 

    The methodology involved observing the students while they used Wordtune for different writing tasks. The data was then able to be collected through surveys, writing samples, and observations to evaluate how Wordtune impacts student's writing. They found that Wordtune did in fact enhance students' writing skills and critical thinking, allowing them to overall make their writing more productive and better. However, the authors also raised the issue of students potentially relying too heavily on Wordtune, and other AI tools making it so that teachers need to heavily monitor their usage. 

    This article offers several strengths, including its practical focus on the world's everlasting change towards using AI. Furthermore, how AI impacts education and Wordtune's benefits. In addition, this research also provides a balanced perspective by addressing the need to limit AI usage, so individuals do not become dependent on the technology. While the study offers valuable insights, its findings may be limited to specific student groups or writing contexts, leaving room for further research. Overall, this article is very relevant for educators, researchers, students, and others interested in leveraging AI to improve learning outcomes in writing. 

Source 3: The impact of technological advancement on culture and society | Scientific Reports

    This article, "The Impact of Technological Advancement on Culture and Society" by Abdullah Alsaleh expresses how technological advancements impacts culture and society, presenting both benefits and challenges within this article. On one hand, technology has given access to information and knowledge, fostering global awareness and understanding. It has revolutionized communication in regard to connecting with individuals across the world and creating collaboration. Furthermore, technology has empowered creativity and self-expression, providing new tools and platforms for individuals to share their ideas and talents with the world. It has also increased efficiency and productivity like automating tasks and allowing individuals to focus on more strategic and creative endeavors. 

    However, with the rise of technology it also brings potential negatives. The digital divide is also highlighted between those who have access to technology and those who do not. In addition, privacy convers also arises with the collection and the use of personal data, raising questions about surveillance and individual rights. Excessive technology use can contribute to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and social isolation. We have seen that the rapid spread of misinformation online has destabilized social and political landscapes. Furthermore, automation and AI may lead to job displacement in certain industries.

    In conclusion, technological advancement has both negatives and positives and only time will tell on what plays out. It is a powerful force capable of shaping culture and society in many different ways. To ensure that technology serves humanity correctly, it is important to acknowledge both its positives and negative impacts. By promoting equitable access, prioritizing ethical considerations, and fostering critical thinking skills, we harness the transformative power of technology all while mitigating its potential risks.