Journal #5-Jenna Kelley

Yes, I do think about the potential for spreadability in my everyday composing. According to Jenkins, Ford & Green, “‘spreadability’ refers to the potential-both technical and cultural-for audiences to share content for their own purposes, sometimes with the permission of rights holders, sometimes against their wishes” (3).  I think about the potential for spreadability because I am a staff writer for HerCampus FSU. Bi-weekly, I write an article that gets published online that I want all of my friends to share, so that they have their friends share it and that way my article gets read. One of the main goals of being a writer, I believe, is the spreadability of your writings. Jenkins, Ford & Green also say that “a spreadable mentality focuses on creating media texts that various audiences may circulate for different purposes, inviting people to shape the context of the material as they share it within their social circles” (6). Every time I write an article, I am constantly trying to reach out to others for any reason; therefore, I tailor my story to their interests in order for spreadability to occur.

            I also use spreadability on social media, besides writing for HerCampus. For example, Twitter is the basis of spreadability. If someone has a Twitter account, it is solely for others to read their posts. If it were not, they would just write in their own diary. Also, Twitter has a “retweet”, “like”, and “quote tweet” button in order for your submission to be spread.

            I am currently using the potential for spreadability with my Journal Reflection. As I post this to our WEPO Blog page, I am posting it for other classmates to see, as well as the professor. I am circulating this post to a social site. Jenkins, Ford & Green also say that people are open to others sharing content as it shows a connection of shared interests (13). Likewise, I am sharing my HerCampus posts for a common shared interest of others, just as I am posting this Journal Reflection for a common shared interest of my classmates. Overall, I would definitely say that I compose for the potential of spreadability because, at the end of the day, I am always writing for a specific audience.