Present-day Writing and Oral Communication Practices
in the Field of History

Abstract:

Current writing practices include handwriting and printing, both on paper, as well as electronically written information. This paper focuses on the latter case, wherein the support is provided by computer, Internet and telecommunication technologies, which are also providing remote transmission of documents. The content may be visually perceived (written text, images, animations, video), heard, or simultaneously seen and heard.
Writing is performed with the keyboard, touchscreen or by voice commands. Reading is possible on a screen, if necessary on printed paper and sounds are perceived through audio transmission. The documents may be signed with electronic signature. Historian is both consumer and creator of written communication. In the first aspect, he can consult primary or secondary sources, digitized or composed in native electronic format. In the second one, he can compose his own writings, written in classic style or in other ways (PDF books and articles, electronic publications for eBook reader devices, audiobooks, websites, blogs, wikis, podcasts, interactive maps, GIS maps, animated maps, virtual reality, multimedia applications for historical museums and exhibitions, historical games etc.).
In complex modern historical writings case, historian is member of a multidisciplinary team. The information is presented in an editorial style very different from that of books. Article also states the various stages of these works.
Historians are invited to participate in these types of projects.

Keywords:

writing, historical writing, written document, digitization, works in electronic format