Entry #4

I think the first passage, "Seeing the Forest FOR the Trees", is an example of personal writing. This is because the author provides a personal prospective of the trip to Guatemala. It also addresses more the issue itself, as well serves the purpose of giving information through descriptive details that cause the reader to experience the trip to Guatemala and formation of the NGO. Finally, it also shows why the experience had such a influence on the writer. I think the second passage is an example of academic writing because it focuses on one particular issue--voting in the 2000 election. Furthermore, it provides a thesis and then gives statistics about the question, which is relevant to the issue. The third passage is an example of public writing because the writer takes an informed stance on the novel. Furthermore, the writer includes information that help the reader comprehend that the writer changed her views.
I believe it is important to know the context and purpose of a piece of writing because it will allow writers to know what type of diction and tone to use for a specific audience and subject. This is also a way to determine what type of writing a piece is: look at the tone and diction that the author employs to determine whether its personal, public, or academic.