As you have seen, computers are an exciting addition to the writing process. Computers and the internet can provide an in-depth and thorough search of virtually (notice the word choice) all different forms of primary and secondary sources. In addition, computers greatly enhance the writer's ability to revise and edit his/her essay. The computer has provided the writer with better and faster methods of writing. It is a new medium for the writer, in every sense of the word; through development, editing, revision, the final draft, the presentation, and ultimately-communication.

While computers are an exciting technology, and one that has numerous benefits and applications, the trend is moving away from techniques that have worked for centuries now. Writing and the way we write is rapidly changing, and there seems to be no going back. The essay as we first learned it is now referred to as the "traditional" essay, because it has become just that. With all the new methods of communication, the printed word is beginning to take a back seat to faster and wider methods and because speed has become such an important factor, the essay is suffering. Computers are a resource, just as there are many different writing resources, and should be used as such. They are an undisputedly important tool to the writer, but you cannot complete a project with just one tool.

Marley: So, we're finally done with this.

Darden: Hard to believe.

Marley: It's kinda funny the way our two pieces worked out.

Darden: Meaning…

Marley: I mean, like, the tone of them. You know how we were talking about how computers have brought around a new type of writing style?

Darden: Oh yeah. I see- my piece was written from a very computer-oriented point of view, and yours more from someone who is not as attached.

Marley: The tone on your side of the debate is completely different from mine. Yours sounds more like you are having a conversation…

Darden: And yours sounds more like that "traditional" essay you lament.

Marley: And we didn't even plan it that way…sorta proves that point we were trying to make. Check out the differences in style, too.

Darden: Linear essay versus the true hypertext.

Marley: I'm not sure if I will ever get myself to that point; even during this course of the project, my computer here in the lab froze four times, performed twelve "illegal operations", and didn't have enough memory to open more than two programs at a time.

Darden: If it was all that awful, why do you contradict your point you make about research?

Marley: How's that?

Darden: Refresh me…who did ALL their research online?

Marley: Yeah well, who wrote out their entire thing out on paper and THEN put it in the word processor??

Darden: Umm…

Marley: Yeah, that's what I thought.

Darden: This is that "happy medium" we were discussing. I have not let go of the old ways of writing-writing it out, revising, scribbling here and there. And you have not been too afraid to venture out into the bold new world of computers in writing.

Darden and Marley: I guess this quote sums up what we have to say about true writing:

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Introduction
Research Paper Final
Conclusion

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Darden Copeland Marley Walsh