Writing the Field Notes ethnographic exercise has helped me understand that my writing is not perfect and is open to improvement. Beginning with how I have a poor ability to write poems, I have opened my mind to more possibilities and styles of writing that may aid me in future writings. Following poems, I reflected on my advanced ability to write text messages. My use of abbreviations can help save time for conversations with my friends, who tend to use the same “shortcuts” such as “lol” and “gtg,” but can also elongate the process of getting the purpose of my message across to audiences like my parents. What did surprise me was the detailed process I go through when posting on social media, specifically Instagram. From checking the time, day, and holiday, I, and many others like me, have discovered a code that enhances the most likes and comments possible. Indeed, not everyone goes through the same thought process, but I guarantee that it runs through most teenagers’ minds.
The ethnographic study as a whole, in which I reflected on my different writing styles and techniques, has helped me understand more about the positives of my writing compared to the negatives. Writing comes in all distinct forms, and not all has to be in perfect prose, grammar, and style. Indeed, most academic writing should follow this stream of “correctness,” but there are forms of writing that entail less thought and focus. I would say I have a balance between writing formally and informally in my everyday life, and I try my best to keep my voice in both methods.
