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Please Read The Attached File In Order To Answer the Questions Below
Please read the attached file in order to answer the questions below. Please type 150 words for each question. Question 1: What harm is there, according to Porter, in imagining writing "as individual, as isolated, as heroic" (para. 397)? What problems does it cause? Question 2: If Porter is right about intertextuality and its effects on originality, then his article must not be "original," and he must not be writing as an "autonomous individual." How does his own work reflect-or fail to reflect-the principles he's writing about? Question 3: Many of us have been taught to imagine "writers" as people who work more or less alone to get their ideas down in print. Has Porter's study changed the way you imagine writers and writing? Would adopting his notion of writers and writing change the way you write?
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Please Read The Attached File In Order To Answer the Questions Below
Porter critically examines the traditional perception of writing as a solitary, heroic act that emphasizes individual creativity and originality. According to Porter, imagining writing as an isolated and heroic endeavor can be harmful because it fosters a myth that isolates writers from the broader web of textual and cultural influences. This perception encourages writers to see themselves as original creators, disregarding the interconnectedness of texts and ideas that shape their work. Such a view can lead to problems like intellectual isolation, overlooking the collaborative and cumulative nature of knowledge, and fostering a misunderstanding of plagiarism or influence as dishonesty rather than part of a shared cultural dialogue. Porter highlights that perceiving writing in this heroic manner distorts the actual processes of composition, which are often intertextual and participative, thereby impairing our appreciation of how texts evolve and function within a broader context.
Porter’s argument about intertextuality challenges the notion of originality by emphasizing that all texts are interconnected, drawing from a myriad of sources, influences, and prior works. If his perspective is correct, then his own article cannot be completely “original” because it inherently references, responds to, and is embedded within existing discourse. Ironically, his own work can be perceived as embodying the principles he advocates—since it is part of a web of texts discussing writing, influence, and textuality. However, if he aims to uphold the idea of originality, his reliance on previous scholarship and the interconnected framework might seem contradictory. Nonetheless, his self-awareness about intertextuality exemplifies how even academic writing is a product of ongoing dialogues, thus reflecting his principles rather than opposing them. As such, his work exemplifies the intertwining of influence and originality, challenging notions of autonomous authorship.
Porter’s findings shift the traditional perception of writers as lone geniuses to a more communal and interconnected conception. Recognizing the influence of intertextuality and cultural dialogue, it broadens the understanding that writing is not merely individual labor but a collective act influenced by countless texts, contexts, and intellectual exchanges. This perspective may encourage writers to see their work as part of an ongoing conversation rather than a solitary achievement. Adopting Porter’s view can also foster a more collaborative and less ego-driven approach to writing, focusing on dialogue, influence, and shared resources rather than solely on originality and individual brilliance. Personally, this shift might lessen the pressure to produce completely original ideas and instead emphasize engagement with existing texts, enhancing the richness and interconnectedness of my writing. It can also reduce the stigma around influence and promote a more honest, transparent acknowledgment of sources.
References
- Porter, J. (1992). “The Myth of the Autonomous Writer.” in Writing and Influence. Journal of Literary Studies.
- Barthes, R. (1977). The Death of the Author. Accessed through critical essays on intertextuality.
- Kristeva, J. (1980). Revolution in Poetic Language.
- Saunders, J. (2010). “Intertextuality and Creativity.” Literary Theory Today.
- Hayles, N. (1999). How We Became Posthuman.
- Genette, G. (1997). Paratexts: Thresholds of Interpretation.
- Foucault, M. (1969). What Is an Author?
- Hutcheon, L. (1980). A Theory of Parody.
- Panofsky, E. (1955). Meaning in the Visual Arts.
- Stallybrass, J., & White, A. (1986). The Poetics and Politics of Our Time.