Birkerts begins in medias res, in the middle of things. This throws his readers into the action with the outright statement "The order of print is linear, and is bound to logic by the imperatives of syntax." His sentences in the introduction are varied between short and long to emphasize the linear nature of writing. Birkerts repeats a pattern of beginning his paragraphs with a short sentence that drives home an idea before exploring it through the remainder of the division. In each paragraph he focuses on a separate concept. For example, in his introduction, he discusses the characteristics of print text. He then transitions in the second paragraph to solely discuss the cons of electronic media. This style of alternating topics between paragraphs maintains the fidelity of his ideas and the integrity of his argument. His use of the first person point of view keeps his essay from being too distant from his audience. The "I" allows the reader to relate to the topic because this is a person writing, not a machine creating unattainable ideas.
In Sven Birkerts essay on electronic millennium, he shifts from a discussion about print versus media. He starts the essay by describing the different aspects of print and the aspects of media. He describes the advantages and disadvantages of both, and then goes on to describe specific examples in history. He uses the shamans to vividly portray how the media has become full of "tyranny". Throughout the rest of the essay, Birkerts uses established newspaper and magazine editors's quotes about the subject to support his position on the evil of the media.
The syntax rhythmically flows from long sentences to injections of short, precise sentences used to make a point. In the middle of the passage, Birkerts reverts to constant interruption with specific examples taken from a variety of sources. At the end of the passage, Birkerts writes using a list of facts that he proposes will happen if the upcoming generation develops "an all-electronic future." His repeated reference to a linear model of literature verses a vertical view of technology reinterates his point about the affects of technology in America.
In Sven Birkets explication of modern day technology, he examines and contrasts the old styles of writing and the current progression of writing. Birket begins his essay with a series of claims that demonstrate his passion on the subject of modern writing. He moves on to instill a cadence of lengthy sentences that demonstrate the monotonousness of the world of technology. Birket compares and contrasts using parallel structures when he describes the positive and negative effects of modern writing. He brings ethos upon the reader by referencing Shakespearean plays as well as listing some unusual authors that the reader is certain to have forgotten. Birket’s tone is one of passionate repremandation. He supports the benefits of techonology, however is concerned with the harsh, fast pace it is thrusting upon the modern world. Simultaneously, Birket’s own authorical pace quickens when he speaks of the high-momentum world we live in. His sentences shorten and his words become less elaborate. This shows the reader the contrast of the world we live in. By writing in the style he is speaking about, Birket is able to show, instead of simply stating, the reader what modern writing is truly neglecting.
Birkert's syntax is developed well beyond that of a mediocre writer. He effectively employs a mixture of long and short paragraphs and sentences. He also sparsely utilizes parentheses and rhetorical question throughout his essay. Birkert's sentences flow from shorter more precise sentences to a longer more elaborate style of sentences that encompass multiple points of a single thought. Despite his divergence to longer syntax, Birkert still strategically places shorter sentences to introduce or conclude a desired point.
Sven Birkets was a professor at Harvard and his syntax reflects this. His essays contain sentences the weave through technology, almost stumbling as they confuse the reader. His sentences reflect his distaste for technology using bitter, cold words reflecting the metal aspect of new inventions. His warm descriptions of print reflect his enjoyment of written works that contrasts his dislike for new technology. He seems to be at odds with new technology and his it is evident in his writing. People who dislike technology usually do not understand it and Birkets writing conveys a sense of frustration and confusion. The rhythm seems choppy and broken as he wonders over new technology which remains foreign and cold. His tone switches from hearty, when talking about print, to dark and foreboding, regarding technology. In the end, his tone reflects a dislike of new experiences and change instead of technology.
Birkerts is able to write in a way that effectively presents an idea in a calm, but opinionated manner. His paragraphs flow together perfectly to create the notion in the reader that he knows what he's talking about. His sentences are ones filled with intense knowledge of the electronic world and its pros and cons. His brilliant use of the semi colon is an evident piece of this essay, for it brings out continuous thoughts that flow in the reader's mind. He tends to begin each paragraph with a striking, informative sentence, and then goes into descriptions of that sentence.
Sven Birkerts opens his essay with a short declarative statement which establishes a premise which he goes on to support in the body of his essay. He continues his introduction with similarly structured sentences. These set a rhythmic cadence. The body of the essay consists mainly of paragraphs of medium length except for the one sentence paragraph on page 648. This abrupt change grabs the reader's attention and communicates an important point. Birkerts uses both longer complex and shorter simpler sentences which keep the reading from becoming boring. Also when he uses the extended quotes he explains the quote and then inserts the quote. After the quote he explains the quote. This parallel structure gives a set logical form to the essay that the reader can understand.
Although the majority of Birkert's sentences and paragraphs are long, he sprinkles in several short sentences and paragraphs. In the first paragraph There is a short sentence, "The print engagement is essentially private" that breaks up the paragraph as well as make that point especially clear. He also uses short sentences followed by a semicolon and a longer, more complex sentence. The shorter sentence, "Materials are layered", is followed by a longer explanation.
syntax of Sven Birkerts' "Into the Electronic Millenium" moves from rhythmic and descriptive to long and to the point and finally to evidential and informative. In the beginning, he makes use of his practical tone to emphasize his appeal to logos throughout the piece. His concise statements within the first paragraph create a metronome for the reader to follow. He highlights the illogical effects of electronic information as his syntax grows into longer, more bloated sentences. He shifts from his opinionated introduction to express the proof of the present transition in text.
Birkerts begins in medias res, in the middle of things. This throws his readers into the action with the outright statement "The order of print is linear, and is bound to logic by the imperatives of syntax." His sentences in the introduction are varied between short and long to emphasize the linear nature of writing. Birkerts repeats a pattern of beginning his paragraphs with a short sentence that drives home an idea before exploring it through the remainder of the division. In each paragraph he focuses on a separate concept. For example, in his introduction, he discusses the characteristics of print text. He then transitions in the second paragraph to solely discuss the cons of electronic media. This style of alternating topics between paragraphs maintains the fidelity of his ideas and the integrity of his argument. His use of the first person point of view keeps his essay from being too distant from his audience. The "I" allows the reader to relate to the topic because this is a person writing, not a machine creating unattainable ideas.
ReplyDeleteIn Sven Birkerts essay on electronic millennium, he shifts from a discussion about print versus media. He starts the essay by describing the different aspects of print and the aspects of media. He describes the advantages and disadvantages of both, and then goes on to describe specific examples in history. He uses the shamans to vividly portray how the media has become full of "tyranny". Throughout the rest of the essay, Birkerts uses established newspaper and magazine editors's quotes about the subject to support his position on the evil of the media.
ReplyDeleteThe syntax rhythmically flows from long sentences to injections of short, precise sentences used to make a point. In the middle of the passage, Birkerts reverts to constant interruption with specific examples taken from a variety of sources. At the end of the passage, Birkerts writes using a list of facts that he proposes will happen if the upcoming generation develops "an all-electronic future." His repeated reference to a linear model of literature verses a vertical view of technology reinterates his point about the affects of technology in America.
ReplyDeleteAnna Eberle
ReplyDeleteEnglish III AP
March 12, 2009
In Sven Birkets explication of modern day technology, he examines and contrasts the old styles of writing and the current progression of writing. Birket begins his essay with a series of claims that demonstrate his passion on the subject of modern writing. He moves on to instill a cadence of lengthy sentences that demonstrate the monotonousness of the world of technology. Birket compares and contrasts using parallel structures when he describes the positive and negative effects of modern writing. He brings ethos upon the reader by referencing Shakespearean plays as well as listing some unusual authors that the reader is certain to have forgotten. Birket’s tone is one of passionate repremandation. He supports the benefits of techonology, however is concerned with the harsh, fast pace it is thrusting upon the modern world. Simultaneously, Birket’s own authorical pace quickens when he speaks of the high-momentum world we live in. His sentences shorten and his words become less elaborate. This shows the reader the contrast of the world we live in. By writing in the style he is speaking about, Birket is able to show, instead of simply stating, the reader what modern writing is truly neglecting.
Birkert's syntax is developed well beyond that of a mediocre writer. He effectively employs a mixture of long and short paragraphs and sentences. He also sparsely utilizes parentheses and rhetorical question throughout his essay. Birkert's sentences flow from shorter more precise sentences to a longer more elaborate style of sentences that encompass multiple points of a single thought. Despite his divergence to longer syntax, Birkert still strategically places shorter sentences to introduce or conclude a desired point.
ReplyDeleteSven Birkets was a professor at Harvard and his syntax reflects this. His essays contain sentences the weave through technology, almost stumbling as they confuse the reader. His sentences reflect his distaste for technology using bitter, cold words reflecting the metal aspect of new inventions. His warm descriptions of print reflect his enjoyment of written works that contrasts his dislike for new technology. He seems to be at odds with new technology and his it is evident in his writing. People who dislike technology usually do not understand it and Birkets writing conveys a sense of frustration and confusion. The rhythm seems choppy and broken as he wonders over new technology which remains foreign and cold. His tone switches from hearty, when talking about print, to dark and foreboding, regarding technology. In the end, his tone reflects a dislike of new experiences and change instead of technology.
ReplyDeleteThis is Rachel Delvaux.
ReplyDeleteBirkerts is able to write in a way that effectively presents an idea in a calm, but opinionated manner. His paragraphs flow together perfectly to create the notion in the reader that he knows what he's talking about. His sentences are ones filled with intense knowledge of the electronic world and its pros and cons. His brilliant use of the semi colon is an evident piece of this essay, for it brings out continuous thoughts that flow in the reader's mind. He tends to begin each paragraph with a striking, informative sentence, and then goes into descriptions of that sentence.
Sven Birkerts opens his essay with a short declarative statement which establishes a premise which he goes on to support in the body of his essay. He continues his introduction with similarly structured sentences. These set a rhythmic cadence. The body of the essay consists mainly of paragraphs of medium length except for the one sentence paragraph on page 648. This abrupt change grabs the reader's attention and communicates an important point. Birkerts uses both longer complex and shorter simpler sentences which keep the reading from becoming boring. Also when he uses the extended quotes he explains the quote and then inserts the quote. After the quote he explains the quote. This parallel structure gives a set logical form to the essay that the reader can understand.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the majority of Birkert's sentences and paragraphs are long, he sprinkles in several short sentences and paragraphs. In the first paragraph There is a short sentence, "The print engagement is essentially private" that breaks up the paragraph as well as make that point especially clear. He also uses short sentences followed by a semicolon and a longer, more complex sentence. The shorter sentence, "Materials are layered", is followed by a longer explanation.
ReplyDeleteAKA: Ruthy Berends
ReplyDeletesyntax of Sven Birkerts' "Into the Electronic Millenium" moves from rhythmic and descriptive to long and to the point and finally to evidential and informative. In the beginning, he makes use of his practical tone to emphasize his appeal to logos throughout the piece. His concise statements within the first paragraph create a metronome for the reader to follow. He highlights the illogical effects of electronic information as his syntax grows into longer, more bloated sentences. He shifts from his opinionated introduction to express the proof of the present transition in text.