Inkshedding Sample K

"The medium is the message." This is what writing teachers reiterate throughout high school. What do they mean by this? Why do they believe that mediums are such a necessity because they change how we understand things?  Jay Bolter continues this argument by stating that the audience is always aware of the medium. And it is this factor that changes how the work is viewed, the message comes across, and the point of a piece. A piece that is created where the medium disappears will be viewed different than a piece where the medium is noticeable. For example, Bolter includes page cues in his book directing readers to other sections, much like hyperlinks. This makes the reader aware that they do not have to follow linearly. One way to receive favorable reviews from the audience is to incorporate them into the medium itself. This allows them to have a feeling of control. The radio uses this method by allowing their listeners to call in to argue their thoughts and ideas with the (usually outspoken) host. This incorporation is important because it makes the audience feel important and therefore gain their business. For this reason, incorporation is commonly found in many media forms.