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2 - The Matter of Writing

from Part I - Impressions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 August 2023

Guy Merchant
Affiliation:
Sheffield Hallam University
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Summary

This chapter looks at the physical and material dimensions of writing. It draws on examples of different writing technologies and techniques, the more recent mechanization of writing and its effects, from telegraphs to typewriters and word processors. In developing the idea of the display principle I use these examples to underline how writing always makes use of available materials to leave a durable and legible trace on a surface or graphic space. I call this the display principle. Because writing is both physical and material, the chapter concludes with a look at the physical demands that writing makes on the body.

Type
Chapter
Information
Why Writing Still Matters
Written Communication in Changing Times
, pp. 29 - 45
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2023

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  • The Matter of Writing
  • Guy Merchant, Sheffield Hallam University
  • Book: Why Writing Still Matters
  • Online publication: 24 August 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009268677.005
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  • The Matter of Writing
  • Guy Merchant, Sheffield Hallam University
  • Book: Why Writing Still Matters
  • Online publication: 24 August 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009268677.005
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • The Matter of Writing
  • Guy Merchant, Sheffield Hallam University
  • Book: Why Writing Still Matters
  • Online publication: 24 August 2023
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009268677.005
Available formats
×