developing writers
Anna Smith, educational researcher & teacher educator blogging about composition in the digital age, contexts for learning, theories of development, and global youth.
The Perks of Being a Tweeter
Lucia’s #teachread work can be found at: https://twitter.com/#!/WallflowerBoy
The Perks of Being a Tweeter
For my Genre study, I decided to create a Twitter account written from the perspective of Charlie, the protagonist of Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being A Wallflower. My posts reference specific plot details or reactions and observations that I imagine Charlie might have. All are written in the candid, matter-of-fact style of Charlie’s letters.
My advanced english teacher told me I run my sentences together when I write. Maybe Twitter will teach me how to be more concise.#teachread
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Love always, Charlie (@WallflowerBoy) October 29, 2011It was fun pretending to be Charlie, imagining what he might Tweet about if Twitter existed during his time (presumably the late nineties)…and of course, if he was a real person.
I really can't stop listening to this song by The Smiths. It's called "Asleep" and it's so good. youtube.com/watch?v=wyqZ5x… #teachread
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Love always, Charlie (@WallflowerBoy) October 29, 2011But the real value in this Web 2.0 project was the close relationship between Chbosky’s novel—both its narrative style and its categorization as Young Adult Lit—and the Twitter platform. The two seem to work perfectly together, and here’s why:
Identity/self-reflection
The Perks of Being a Wallflower fits nicely into the genre of YA Lit where protagonists often struggle with finding or accepting their true selves. (Follow the link to see more on this subject!) Charlie’s self-acceptance is an ongoing battle. He is labeled a “freak” by many of his peers and a shy, timid nature prevents him from saying what he really feels. As the book progresses, we see Charlie becoming increasingly extroverted and comfortable with himself. He makes close friends who understand him, he even feels flattered when a friend coins the term “Charlie-esque.” Charlie’s reflections on his personal life and feelings bring him closer to an acceptance of self.
Twitter, along with most other Web 2.0 platforms, relies on the self-reflection of its users. All that we say or post on Twitter influences how we are perceived by others. Twitter users often air out their frustrations with daily life, make interesting observations, and share personal opinions or other musings. Just as Charlie formulates his thoughts and emotions into words, discovering his identity along the way, Twitter users are actively creating their own identities online.
Blending Private and Public realms
Twitter also relies on a convergence of private and public realms. As his personal correspondence is turned into a novel, Charlie’s thoughts and innermost secrets are made public. Readers are offered a glimpse inside the mind of Charlie. We are made aware of all that he sees and feels. Twitter offers this same disclosure of private info into the public sphere.
Communication/Dialogue
The epistolary format of Perks, along with Charlie’s growing ability to open up to others, reflects the value of communication. Peer communication is somewhat new to Charlie, and through it he is able to make friends and find his voice. The importance of dialogic exchange is aptly represented on Twitter, a platform reliant on user interaction, “retweeting”, and conversation.
@WallsOfFlowers That sounds pretty cool. I should tell Bill in class tomorrow. And it looks like the campaign has spread to Twitter...
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Love always, Charlie (@WallflowerBoy) October 31, 2011
because sometimes I feel too much to keep it all inside. #whyiwrite. #teachread
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Love always, Charlie (@WallflowerBoy) October 31, 2011
Through this Genre Study, I realized that Twitter can be a valuable tool in an English classroom. Here are my take-aways:
Why use
in an ELA classroom?
- 140 word character limit
- each word is chosen with care and precision.
- forces students to pay close attention to what they write
- students become skilled at “getting to the point”
- Familiarity/comfort (students may already have Twitter accounts)
- Ease of interaction with classmates and teacher
- Demonstrates acceptance of multiple literacies
Check out the book!
Check Out the Book!
What I’m Diggin’ on Scoop.it
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- Twitter use | Pew Internet & American Life ProjectAfrican-Americans — Black internet users continue to use Twitter at high rates. More than one quarter of online African-Americans (28%) use Twitter, with 13% doing so on a typical day. Young adults — One quarter (26%) of internet users ages 18-29 use Twitter, nearly double the rate for those ages 30-49. Among the youngest internet users (those ag […]
- How Twitter & Texting Saved WritingThe end of literacy as we know it? Get over yourself. These popular tools force people to write more clearly and concisely.See it on Scoop.it, via Developing Writers
