Analog Vs. Digital: What’s Best For Your Writing Process?

What Are Analog And Digital Devices?

Ever had to write something in a notebook? Maybe if you’re much older a typewriter? If so, then you wrote the old fashion way, by using analog devices. Analog device encompasses any device that can record, measure, or present information through physical mechanisms. A paper notebook records information from what you physically etch into its pages with ink or graphite. 

Also, have you ever written on a computer or in a smartphone? Whether it be through texting, the comment/reply section of whatever social media platform you use or in some word processing software like Google Docs, Microsoft Word, etc.? Then you have written with digital devices. Such devices encompass any that can record, measure, or present information that can be represented through binary code which can be read by a computer. Apps, programs, file types, whatever you see on your monitor are really just massive strings of binary code that a computer reads and translates into intelligible information that we can consume.

How to Choose Analog or Digital Devices?

When it comes to writing some may find themselves wondering if they should start their outline or drafting on some loose leaf or if they should pull up ‘Docs. Due to the ever presence of digital devices and mediums in our lives most would just use ‘Docs for composition. However, there are situations where that may not be an option or not the most ideal option. Which is where analog comes in. When in a situation where the option of digital and analog is both available but you’re unsure as to which would be the best approach for your work consider the following:

What type of writing are you doing? Academic or creative?

Now with those things in mind let’s then consider what each option has to offer:

Analog Vs. Digital

Analog writing (most commonly in the form of handwriting) relies on how efficient you are with your hands and memory. This can be both a strength and a weakness. A strength as a tool for creative writing since handwriting can be great for increasing the connection you have with your work. The threat of distractions to your workflow can be minimized when you handwrite. When it comes to academic writing it can be fine for jotting ideas down but when it comes to organizing information neatly and more efficiently it can be less ideal than a word processor.

Digital writing is speedy and neat. This is great for academic writing since it not only allows you to put information on a page faster (thanks to the quickness of typing and built in features like auto fill and autocorrect that minimize backtracking) but also due to easier access to the internet (which is what you’ll likely be using to conduct your research). However, the user interface of digital devices and the programs/applications that function within them are purposely meant to be eye catching and attention grabbing, so once again the risk of distraction hurting your flow is still present.

While analog and digital can be beneficial or not depending on what you wish to accomplish, everyone’s different. Some may find it easier to compose a poem on their phone or outline their academic research paper on a cork board. Whichever is the most ideal depends on what works for you.