Putnis and Petelin (1996) once argued that writing and talking were totally different in nature, and suggested that writing was harder than talking since gestures and facial cues were absent. This is not the case anymore. The invention of emoticons has allowed people to include expressions in their writings which convey the mood of the writer. The emoticon concept was introduced by Scott Fahlman in 1982 (ABC 2007) who suggested that everytime his colleagues and him made a joke online, they would include a sideways smiley face at the end. Those smiley faces have obviously evolved since then.
In discussing emoticons, Kristin Byron (ABC 2007) argued that previously the problem of too few cues especially in e-mail communication meant that we often made mistakes in judging emotions while not even realising it. But with emoticons, we are able to comprehend a document's purpose and tone more clearly and effectively.
The incorporation of emoticons into writing can be categorized as a whole new genre or "types of texts" (Schirato and Yell 1996, p. 112). This is because it differs from the conventional styles of written documents, incorporating interpersonal elements as well. The use of emoticons in writing also adheres to the "form follows function" rule (Bear 1997) whereby the form which is the emoticon performs the function of adding an emotional touch to one's writing, altogether enhancing the quality of a document.
But then again, the use of emoticons are also based on the situational contexts mentioned by Walsh (2006 p. 25). Emoticons are not suitable for all types of documents, depending very much on the situation and overall purpose of a written piece. For example, emoticons could perhaps be used in abundance when writing an e-mail to a friend. But when writing formally to a boss or a client, the use of emoticons is highly inappropriate, even if there exists a need to express emotion.
The emoticon is undeniably an effective communication tool which has altered the distinction between written and spoken texts. However, there are obviously things that an emoticon cannot do, expressions it cannot make. At the same time, it is important for writers to identify with the situational needs of emoticons and not become too accustomed to it. Otherwise, they could find themselves in a whole lot of trouble for not being formal enough!
References:
ABC 18 October 2007, 'Emoticons and e-mail etiquette'.
URL: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2007/2064342.htm
Bear, JH 1997, Form follows function, About.com, viewed 15 June 2009.
URL: http://desktoppub.about.com/od/graphicdesign/a/formfunction.htm
Putnis, P & Petelin, R 1996, Professional communication: principles and applications, Prentice Hall, Sydney.
Schirato, T & Yell, S 1996, Communication and cultural literacy: an introduction, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards.
Walsh, M 2006, 'The textual shift: examining the reading process with print, visual, and multimodal texts', Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol. 29. no. 1, pp. 24-37.
In discussing emoticons, Kristin Byron (ABC 2007) argued that previously the problem of too few cues especially in e-mail communication meant that we often made mistakes in judging emotions while not even realising it. But with emoticons, we are able to comprehend a document's purpose and tone more clearly and effectively.
The incorporation of emoticons into writing can be categorized as a whole new genre or "types of texts" (Schirato and Yell 1996, p. 112). This is because it differs from the conventional styles of written documents, incorporating interpersonal elements as well. The use of emoticons in writing also adheres to the "form follows function" rule (Bear 1997) whereby the form which is the emoticon performs the function of adding an emotional touch to one's writing, altogether enhancing the quality of a document.
But then again, the use of emoticons are also based on the situational contexts mentioned by Walsh (2006 p. 25). Emoticons are not suitable for all types of documents, depending very much on the situation and overall purpose of a written piece. For example, emoticons could perhaps be used in abundance when writing an e-mail to a friend. But when writing formally to a boss or a client, the use of emoticons is highly inappropriate, even if there exists a need to express emotion.
The emoticon is undeniably an effective communication tool which has altered the distinction between written and spoken texts. However, there are obviously things that an emoticon cannot do, expressions it cannot make. At the same time, it is important for writers to identify with the situational needs of emoticons and not become too accustomed to it. Otherwise, they could find themselves in a whole lot of trouble for not being formal enough!
References:
ABC 18 October 2007, 'Emoticons and e-mail etiquette'.
URL: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/mediareport/stories/2007/2064342.htm
Bear, JH 1997, Form follows function, About.com, viewed 15 June 2009.
URL: http://desktoppub.about.com/od/graphicdesign/a/formfunction.htm
Putnis, P & Petelin, R 1996, Professional communication: principles and applications, Prentice Hall, Sydney.
Schirato, T & Yell, S 1996, Communication and cultural literacy: an introduction, Allen & Unwin, St Leonards.
Walsh, M 2006, 'The textual shift: examining the reading process with print, visual, and multimodal texts', Australian Journal of Language and Literacy, vol. 29. no. 1, pp. 24-37.
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