Mental Clarity

In this class I have been asked to take a deeper look into what composition is and how I compose. Throughout the process my definition of composition has evolved. Just a month ago I defined composition as:

The art of composition is just that - an art. It’s difficult to define because everyone has a different process of creation and each writer’s individuality influences their approach. Composition is a means of expression, a profound creative outlet. It’s a process that involves harnessing inspiration in order to convey an idea to others. A clear topic, defined audience, and organic structure are just a few of the many elements present in good writing.

I still relate to this definition of composition. By having a deep understanding of your skills, opinions and style, you can better relate your message. A writer must work to discover their voice and develop their skill in order to create a shared experience and communicate on a meaningful level with their audience. For me the major key terms of Composition are audience, rhetorical situation and remediation.

This is my favorite reflection song, it relates to understanding yourself.

The situation is necessary in order to begin writing. If you don’t know what you’re writing about you can’t really compose an effective message. In addition if you don’t know and understand you audience than your message will be ineffective. It’s easy to see the importance of these two key terms. The third term I feel is necessary for any writer to understand is remediation. This is the process of transitioning your message into a different medium while still preserving some of the original intent. With the prevalence of technology and the ever changing ways we communicate the ability to create a message that can transcend mediums, and still be effective, is essential.

We’ve been covering a lot of new topics very quickly. It’s important to take time to digest everything and make sure we understand the fundamental concepts as we move forward. Reflection is the last step in the composition process and adds value because it allows a writer to understand their style and how to improve it. Likewise reflection is a necessary teaching tool. It offers us the opportunity to look back as we prepare to venture forward. Although I feel that much of the basic knowledge in the world already exists as we grow and the world around us changes, our knowledge grows and changes. We perceive the world differently and our perceptions are altered. This class has made me take a deeper look at how I compose and what I consider to be effective communication.