7 Things You Didn't Consider To Be Writing

Google defines writing as "the activity or skill of marking coherent words on paper and composing text.", but this definition fails to explain the other forms of writing and communication we use in our daily lives. When most people think of "writing" they imagine an essay, book, or an academic paper they needed to write for school, but we dismiss the fact that we are writing every single day through text message, social media, and even Snapchat. Jeff Grabill (professor and chair of the Department of Writing, Rhetoric, and American Cultures at Michigan State University) explains in his Ted Talks "Texting Is Good For Us" that "Right now, we write more than any generation of humans, in human history." Here are 7 things you didn't consider to be writing:

1. Facebook

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We use Facebook as a way of communication, advertising, news, blogging, personal opinions, documentation of events, etc. all of which are considered to be writing. Although many wouldn't consider your nasty dramatic Facebook breakup to be writing, it's communicating your opinion (with or without the grammar).

2. Pinterest

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Once we give in and finally create that Pinterest account, we spend hours in a day scrolling through diy projects and recipes to "pin" and pull up at a more convenient time. People use Pinterest to find or create boards for diy tutorials, recipes, fashion blogs, travel advice, beauty tips, and generally just share our ideas and creativity with our fellow Pinterest peers. Pinterest is basically like a magazine each account user creates based on their interests. Did you ever realize that your "wedding ideas" board for your imaginary wedding could be considered writing? #Pinteresting

3. Twitter

Whether you are tweeting your own random thoughts or retweeting someone else's brilliant work, it is writing. You are displaying the things you relate to or find enjoyable. At the end of the day you just want others to know what you're feeling!

4. Vines

Whoever says they don't enjoy random six second videos is a liar. This is my personal favorite. Vines are the best visual communication; short, sweet, and to the point. After watching vines they will have you feeling a certain way. It may be laughing so hard you cry or as sad as when you watch the Titanic. That my friends is writing.

5. Snapchat

Okay so this one can be a little tricky, but we'll break it down. Snapchat is writing when you add a caption, emoji, or when there is a purpose behind the snap. A video of you communicating a message or a picture showing that you are doing your homework or are enjoying your vacation. These snaps are getting something across to others. Snapchat is NOT writing when well, it is pointless. Example: a picture of your meal is not writing. No one knows what you mean.

6. Texting

Texting isn't always considered writing most often because people don't think "oh I'm going to sit down and write this text." Most often we send a text without much thought at all. Google defines writing as the activity or skill of marking coherent words on paper and composing text. Thinking of composing text you would think about typing on your laptop, but isn't typing on your phone the same thing? I mean after all it is just a small computer you put in your pocket isn't it?

7. Instagram

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but what are those words exactly? The reason people wouldn't consider Instagram writing is because of the pictures, yes they often times think of the captions and comments as writing but not the picture itself. Pictures can mean different things to different people but isn't that what makes them the best kind of writing? The artist or photographer just simply wants people to enjoy what they have created, it doesn't matter what words the picture is saying to us exactly as long as we can understand them.