Exploring Writing Through Punctuation: A New Perspective
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Chapter 1: A Unique Lens on Writing
The process of examining one’s own articles through the lens of punctuation is akin to crafting an accordion from paper—both methods reveal unexpected patterns and structures.
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Initially, I never imagined that focusing solely on punctuation could be captivating. While reading through an article, the sheer volume and randomness of the punctuation marks caught my attention, revealing their intriguing nature.
Section 1.1: Insights Gained from Punctuation
I developed a web-based tool that allows users to uncover their hidden writing styles by stripping away all words and leaving only punctuation marks: periods, commas, colons, parentheses, exclamation points, question marks, and more. This method piqued my curiosity about how I construct sentences and whether these symbols could form interesting shapes. Observing punctuation without the distraction of words might provide valuable insights into my writing habits, especially when I consider changing my writing structure.
My first reaction upon seeing a collection of punctuation marks was one of surprise—what a random assortment! Yet, I began to notice patterns; for instance, the presence of multiple exclamation marks within parentheses was particularly striking. I wondered how many articles would yield such fascinating results. I speculated that longer pieces might be more enjoyable to analyze, though I feared that examining my extensive articles, once stripped of their words, might seem dull compared to the diverse expressions of other authors.
The first video titled "Paper Tip: How To Accordion Fold" demonstrates an engaging technique that mirrors the creative process of examining punctuation.
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I discovered that I seldom produce articles lasting seven minutes or more. Composing such lengthy pieces can be quite challenging, but I am determined to write a few each month. By incorporating humorous images and expressive language, I aim to tackle this goal without feeling pressured. I view the number seven as fortuitous, believing that attempting this could invite positive outcomes.
Section 1.2: Analyzing Fiction and Non-Fiction
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In my exploration of various articles, I found that a six-minute piece about turning a decade-long dream into a reality was particularly enlightening.
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I also encountered a rare nine-minute article focused on the lessons learned from a beloved pet. The author frequently used em dashes, and prior to using the software, I speculated on my own punctuation tendencies. I realized I often utilize middle dots for lists, and I anticipated seeing frequent em dashes, parentheses, exclamation marks, and question marks in my work.
When summarizing my writing, I engaged ChatGPT to provide insights on two articles: a five-minute read titled "What Works for Me While Writing" and a two-minute read called "Remembering a Soulmate." The summaries were informative and helped me understand the content from a fresh perspective.
The second video, "Accordion Collage Book / Paper vs Fabric / Part 1 / The Base & Pages," showcases creative projects that can inspire your writing journey.
Conclusion: A New Approach to Writing
Exploring my articles solely through their punctuation marks and summaries has been an enlightening experience. It has prompted me to reconsider how I approach my future writing endeavors. If you find yourself uninspired while brainstorming for your next piece, perhaps creating an accordion from paper could serve as a refreshing distraction.
Photo by omid bonyadian on Unsplash
Thank you for taking the time to read and listen! I developed a web application, "Writing Prompts & Tips," which offers free challenges with varying levels of difficulty.