Based on Harris’s ideas of “taking an approach,” I would best explain it as reflecting on what influences you as a writer, or even examining what influences others as a writers, then embracing that reflection and applying it to the current piece that one is working on. I was confused how you present this in a piece of writing, though. I don’t know if “taking an approach” is something you do in your head or if you are supposed to include a specific passage about it in your writing. In my type of writing for school, I am leaning more towards that this process is a personal one and you don’t include it in a part of your writing. But, maybe people can include this in a section of their book when they publish it. Harris gives three ways in “taking an approach”; which include acknowledging influences, turning an approach on itself, and reflexivity.
The New York Times could be seen as “taking an approach” by the way that they format their writing. Each type of news article has a style that differs from magazine articles and academic journals. I think it is a well-known fact that many journalists have their inspirations and model their work after a particular person and the ideals they showed when they were journalists. This part of the “taking an approach” showing through on the individual level of the New York Times is an example of Harris’s “acknowledging influences.”
If I understand Harris’s idea of reflectivity, I do think that The White House blog often takes part in this. This includes reflecting on choices like values, language, and methods. The White House blog would have to do this with every article posted because they represent a political party and want that political party to still hold office in the next election. Therefore, with an article that shows a position on supporting abortion, they have reflected and approved focusing on the value of women’s health. This does not give a negative connotation as saying abortion would, and it does stress a value that most women and some men would appreciate.
I like your connection to the White House blog. I think the White House blog does a lot of "taking an approach" when explaining different peoples values, opinions and views on a certain issues.
ReplyDeleteI also really like your White House Blog example, it clearly shows the approach that they are taking on issues. It is a great example of how blogs take approaches on subjects! Sometimes it is hard to find the connection but I feel like you gave great examples!
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