I like commas. I like commas a lot. I tend to write long-winded sentences that really shouldn’t be placed together, but are, because I really like to use commas and sometimes semi-colons. But, really. Commas are my friend and I use them so often in writing, which subsequently turns into online communication style, right? I’ve also been told that I’m not brief nor to the point. This, naturally, was told to me by my person (aka the best friend), but I knew this before. I use tons of detail and I’m a rambler. Both in real-life and in virtual-life. Let’s have an example, shall we? I think we shall.
I just got into Doctor Who recently and I’m slightly obsessive when it comes to things I really like and I really like the show, so it’s mostly been on my mind all the time lately. So, I’m watching it (I love the 10th Doctor if anyone’s curious; David Tennant is the best Doctor there is) and it’s then I realize: I’m so much like the Doctor when it comes to his ramblings. (Sidenote: I’m mostly, really, like Rose Tyler. My friends even call me by the name.) During David Tennant’s first episode as the Doctor, I remember thinking that I’m very much like him in how he communicates; both online and in real-life.
“Well…you could do that. Yeah, you could do that. Of course you could! But, why? Look at these people; these human beings. Consider their potential! From the day they arrive on the planet, blinking, step into the sun, there is more to see than can ever be seen, more to do than – no, hold on. Sorry, that’s The Lion King.” Let me pause here for a moment to explain that this is me. Well, not literally because I’m not the Doctor, but I have this tendency of getting off on tangents and becoming passionate and I think that this style of communication says a lot about me. Mostly because it exhibits my ADHD tendencies. I think my communication style says a lot about my personality.
I hardly deviate from who I am, regardless of whether I’m typing my thoughts or speaking them directly. I’m long-winded and highly dramatic and this is all in how I communicate. I’d like to think that it communicates that I’m not really any different over the Internet than I am if I were speaking directly to you. Granted, if I’m writing a formal paper, then I’ll be a bit more refined; but that makes me sound like I’m unrefined and in a way I am, but not in a bad way. Basically, I guess I’m different only when I’m writing formally. Other than that, my communication style is the same as how I communicate if we were having a conversation face-to-face.
It’s interesting, how often I use commas. It really never occurred to me how often I use them until my best friend (my person, if you remember correctly) pointed it out, but I’m fairly partial to them, so it’s not really that big of a deal to me. At least I use them correctly. But, yes. There’s my online communication style. Allons-y.
I’m so impressed with your sly incorporation of showing how you ramble through your blog post itself. It was very clever. I too ramble on and on with what I say sometimes, which is a horrible thing in academic writing. You know, you have to make sure you stay on topic, and have correct punctuation, and a clear thesis, and correct grammar. (You see, I did it too.) Anyway, one must stay on topic in academic writing. Otherwise, there are too many points. I also found that we share a common interest in commas, and both have ADHD. Despite my need to want to ramble on and on, I resist all of my tendencies, and I usually communicate to the point in online communication, excluding this post of course. I guess I have kind of trained myself to get to the point because I was always told to get to the point when writing by teachers and parents. However, I can easily revert back to my old ways and give you ten pages of nonsensical interchangeable ideas. I also believe that as educational level progresses, communicational style does as well, specifically writing and writing online. If one studies another person’s writing, then they might accidently or intentionally incorporate that person’s style. Therefore, one’s online communicational style is ever changing because they are always being influenced by something, even if it is not school.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to things that I really like, I am also pretty obsessive. Some of my favorite things to obsess about are ancestry or genealogy (family trees), the sport of boxing, the television shows Jeopardy! and Real Time with Bill Maher, and ancient world history. After reading your blog, I realize that I should probably add “the overuse of commas when I write” to this list. I think that it is fitting that “ramblers” like us, who have a point to make and are determined to make that point by using many details, tend to overuse commas in the sentences that we write. I know that this may sometimes result in long sentences that may be difficult to follow, but this is reflective of my personality off-line or off-paper. I’m sure that I drive my wife and kids crazy: “Dad, will you just get to the point…”, but they are stuck with me and my personal quirks. “No just listen, because this is part of the point…” is usually my response, and I go on rambling again. It’s hard not to be who you are.
ReplyDeleteNow that I think about it, maybe I should also add “the overuse of quotations” to my list of obsessions.
Thank you for putting a smile on my face! Mhall, I must say that you sound a lot like my dad! I used to be like "Dad, get to the point..." until I realized that his rambling was, indeed, part of the point. I never needed to think about my online communication style until I started writing for this class. I had to reevaluate how I write and communicate, since I also have the tendency to ramble. The occasional e-mail or Facebook comment definitely did not challenge my style, and I kept it pretty close to how I communicate face-to-face, but I know that there is a time and place for everything, including style of communication. I communicate differently when I am with my friends, my parents, at church, my coworkers, even while shopping, so I think it just depends on what the situation calls for.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone's different style keeps things interesting, especially when you embrace it the way you do in your blogs!
Well, well, well, the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, and it sounds like you are on your way. Overabusers tend to have the most captivating stories to tell, I mean sometimes they can be difficult to follow but there is never a dull moment. Life is just better with folks like that, if every one was refined and uptight I would be driven insane. The unorthodox methods of obsession you mentioned are interesting, but I am curious... Do you ever get tired of your obsessions? I find that sometimes I get burned out on somethings if I surround myself with it or them for too long. I just like a change of pace, it allows me to clear my mind and enjoy what I am doing. I guess I take things too seriously and need to chill for a minute. But that is neither here nor there... If you did deviate from your personality just for a moment ponder the conundrum we would have; nobody would look forward to reading your blogs, so in short, keep it up. Doctor Who, Is this another show in the manner of Supernatural? Now, I have heard of this show before, I have seen commercials on SyFy, I think, but I have never seen an episode, I think. And I really wish I had time for T.V. so I could say, "Eureka, I know what you are talking about..." but unfortunately this is what my summer will consist of, mindless television watching and loafing about. God Summer cannot come fast enough...
ReplyDeleteThis whole blogging thing was definitely created for people like YOU! You are genuine and really do a great job of communicating in a way that grasps and holds your readers attention. While I was reading your blog I felt as though I was having a face to face conversation with you. And by the looks of the responses you received I think your audience can agree with me on this one. I could relate to your blog when you described the over use of commas. This started for me at a young age and it has progressively gotten better. However, a lot of my teacher when revising my work put small red "x"s on my commas because they overused. I find it more commical thay they add small red commas in areas i didn't properly use the commas that i love so much lol! I like how you were able to communicate and convey your message by using examples that people can relate to. If they cannot relate you are encouraging them to try by looking into the examples you used. I think this is a great way to build relationships with your audience. Thanks for an interesting read. I look forward tostrafing your next blog.
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