{"id":15605,"date":"2020-04-16T08:57:53","date_gmt":"2020-04-16T15:57:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/transfer.writingcommons.org\/?post_type=key_terms&#038;p=15605"},"modified":"2024-09-05T22:52:52","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T21:52:52","slug":"archive","status":"publish","type":"section","link":"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/information-literacy-ecosystem-core-concepts\/archive\/","title":{"rendered":"Archive \u2013 What Do Writers Need to Know About the Archive?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"tts_content_wrapper_2\" >\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_69_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/information-literacy-ecosystem-core-concepts\/archive\/#What_is_an_Archive\" title=\"What is an Archive?\">What is an Archive?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/information-literacy-ecosystem-core-concepts\/archive\/#Related_Concepts\" title=\"Related Concepts\">Related Concepts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/information-literacy-ecosystem-core-concepts\/archive\/#FAQs\" title=\"FAQs\">FAQs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/information-literacy-ecosystem-core-concepts\/archive\/#Why_Is_the_Concept_of_Archive_So_Important_to_Writers\" title=\"Why Is the Concept of Archive So Important to Writers?\">Why Is the Concept of Archive So Important to Writers?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/information-literacy-ecosystem-core-concepts\/archive\/#Why_Is_the_Concept_of_Archive_So_Important_to_Society\" title=\"Why Is the Concept of Archive So Important to Society?\">Why Is the Concept of Archive So Important to Society?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-an-archive\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_an_Archive\"><\/span>What is an Archive?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>An <em>archive<\/em> refers to<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>a repository of information, a body of knowledge, a literary canon:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An archive may be a collection of texts, such as letters, reports, accounts, minute books, draft and final manuscripts, photographs, documents, books, and movies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An archive may reflect <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/canon\/\" title=\"Canon \u2013 Why is the Concept of the Canon So Important to Writers?\">a literary canon<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An archive may be a form of <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/evidence\/\" title=\"Evidence\">evidence<\/a>, a cultural or historical artifact. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a custodian of history, playing a crucial role in preserving the past for future generations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a collective reference point, <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lingua_franca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"a lingua franca\">a lingua franca<\/a>, for <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/rhetoric\/rhetorical-situation\/audience\/discourse-community\/\" title=\"Discourse Community \u2013 Community of Practice\">a discourse community<\/a>. It&#8217;s a repository of texts, discourse conventions, and social expectations that govern communication among members of a community of practice.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a dynamic entity that not only stores information but also serves as a valuable resource for researchers, historians, and the general public in understanding and interpreting historical events and cultural trends.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a form of political power, a &#8220;general system of the formation and transformation of statements\u201d or \u201cset of rules\u201d (Foucault\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s10502-020-09355-8#ref-CR12\">1972<\/a>, p. 148; 146) that governs dialog, <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/research\/research-methods\/textual-methods\/hermeneutics\/\" title=\"Hermeneutics\">hermeneutics<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/research\/research-methods\/textual-methods\/\" title=\"Textual Research Methods\">textual research<\/a> and knowledge-making practices<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a commodity &#8212; as asset that Elon Musk has described is more valuable than gold.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>An archive reflects the theories and practices of a community of practitioners such as academic and professional writers. Members of a discourse community need to be somewhat aware of the archives that inform the articles of faith, theories, and practices of their respective <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/rhetoric\/rhetorical-situation\/audience\/discourse-community\/\" title=\"Discourse Community \u2013 Community of Practice\">discourse communities<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Traditionally, an archive has referred to a physical repository, housing historical documents such as letters, reports, and photographs. These tangible items serve as direct links to the past, providing concrete evidence of historical events and personal narratives. For example, consider an archive holding the personal letters and diaries of immigrants who traveled to the United States in the early 20th century. These documents provide a firsthand account of their experiences, hopes, and struggles, offering a vivid window into a pivotal period in history. Researchers, historians, and archivists may study these personal narratives to gain a deeper understanding of the social, economic, and cultural contexts of that era. The physicality of these documents\u2014their handwriting, the wear of the paper, the marks of time\u2014adds a layer of <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/authority\/\" title=\"Authority \u2013 How to Establish Credibility in Speech &amp; Writing\">authenticity<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/article\/ethos\/\" title=\"Ethos\">emotional connection<\/a> that cannot be replicated by digital records alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More recently, an archive has been conceptualized to play an important role in <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/interpretation\/\" title=\"Interpretation, Interpretative Frameworks\">interpretation<\/a> and knowledge-production. In his influential book &#8220;The Archaeology of Knowledge,&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Michel_Foucault\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Michel Foucault\">Michel Foucault<\/a> presents a new way of thinking about archives. He suggests that an archive is much more than a place where historical documents are stored. Instead, Foucault views archives as active players in the process of creating and shaping knowledge. To put it simply, Foucault believes that archives do more than just keep old records safe. He sees them as living, dynamic entities that have a significant impact on the way <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/information\/\" title=\"information\">information<\/a> is shared and how cultures develop their narratives. In this view, archives are not passive; they actively participate in <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/information-literacy-perspectives-practices\/scholarship-as-a-conversation\/\" title=\"Scholarship as a Conversation\">the conversations and debates of their time<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For Foucault, an archive is a system of possibility that determines the boundaries of language and thought in a given time and domain. This system operates beneath the consciousness of individuals, influencing how knowledge is formed and how ideas transition between historical worldviews. The archive, therefore, is a network of rules establishing what can be meaningfully said or written in a particular cultural and historical context<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, consider an online digital archive that stores articles, videos, and podcasts on current social issues. According to Foucault&#8217;s concept, this archive doesn&#8217;t just preserve these items; it plays a role in how people understand and discuss these issues. The choice of what is included or excluded in the archive can shape public opinion and even influence future research and discussions. In essence, Foucault&#8217;s idea expands the role of archives from mere storage facilities to influential centers where knowledge is both preserved and generated. This modern perspective recognizes archives as crucial in the ongoing story of human knowledge and cultural development, influencing and reflecting the world as it evolves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The development of AI technologies like ChatGPT aligns remarkably with Michel Foucault&#8217;s conceptualization of the archive. Foucault viewed archives not just as physical repositories but as systems that govern the creation, structure, and transformation of knowledge. AI models like ChatGPT fit into this framework: they aggregate and process vast amounts of data, shaping and being shaped by the information they interact with. This reflects Foucault&#8217;s idea of the archive as a dynamic entity that both preserves and influences knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, there&#8217;s an important critique to consider regarding the construction of AI models. These systems are often built by aggregating vast amounts of data from existing sources. AI models like ChatGPT are trained on publicly available texts, including copyrighted material. This practice violates <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/information-literacy-perspectives-practices\/information-has-value\/intellectual-property\/\" title=\"Intellectual Property\">intellectual property laws and conventions<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/copyright\/\" title=\"Copyright\">copyright<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Related_Concepts\"><\/span>Related Concepts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/canon\/\" title=\"Canon \u2013 Why is the Concept of the Canon So Important to Writers?\">Canon &#8211; Why is the Concept of the Canon So Important to Writers?<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/copyright\/\" title=\"Copyright\">Copyright<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/rhetoric\/rhetorical-situation\/audience\/discourse-community\/\" title=\"Discourse Community \u2013 Community of Practice\">Discourse Community<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/discourse\/discourse-conventions\/\" title=\"Discourse Community \u2013 Community of Practice\">Discourse Convention<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/information-literacy-perspectives-practices\/information-has-value\/intellectual-property\/\" title=\"Intellectual Property\">Intellectual Property<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/literacy\/semiotics-sign-signifier-signified\/\" title=\"Semiotics: Sign, Signifier, Signified\">Semiotics<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FAQs\"><\/span>FAQs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Is_the_Concept_of_Archive_So_Important_to_Writers\"><\/span>Why Is the Concept of Archive So Important to Writers?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Think of an archive as a time capsule, safeguarding the cultural and historical DNA of our society and evolution as a species. It&#8217;s not just a storage space; it&#8217;s a living, breathing hub where history is both preserved and <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/research\/research-methods\/textual-methods\/\" title=\"Textual Research Methods\">continuously reinterpreted<\/a>. For writers, an archive is like a backstage pass to the concert of human history. It offers a glimpse of the shared language and experiences of <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/rhetoric\/rhetorical-situation\/audience\/discourse-community\/\" title=\"Discourse Community \u2013 Community of Practice\">a discourse community<\/a> in a particular time and place. Additionally, as writers engage in strategic searching of multiple archives in order to <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/drafting\/\" title=\"Drafting \u2013 Composing -What is the Drafting Process?\">compose<\/a>, they are able to engage in dialogs with diverse thinkers and creators across time. It&#8217;s a place where theories and practices from various eras converge, providing an ongoing record of <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/information-literacy-perspectives-practices\/scholarship-as-a-conversation\/\" title=\"Scholarship as a Conversation\">the scholarly conversation of humankind<\/a>. As a member of the writing community, whether you&#8217;re <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/drafting\/\" title=\"Drafting \u2013 Composing -What is the Drafting Process?\">drafting<\/a> academic papers, crafting articles, or spinning stories, you&#8217;re part of <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/information-literacy-perspectives-practices\/scholarship-as-a-conversation\/\" title=\"Scholarship as a Conversation\">a larger conversation<\/a>. Navigating through an archive allows you to tap into this intellectual lineage, helping you build on the past to create something uniquely yours. It&#8217;s not just about <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/information-literacy-perspectives-practices\/searching-as-a-strategic-exploration\/\" title=\"Searching as a Strategic Exploration\">finding information<\/a>; it&#8217;s about discovering perspectives that shape how you think, write, and contribute to the world&#8217;s ongoing narrative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Is_the_Concept_of_Archive_So_Important_to_Society\"><\/span>Why Is the Concept of Archive So Important to Society?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Archives are foundational to society, serving not just as storehouses of information, but as active repositories that inform, educate, and shape our understanding of the human experience:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Cultural and Historical Preservation<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Archives serve as the collective memory of society, safeguarding historical documents, artifacts, and records. They preserve our cultural heritage and historical narratives, allowing us to understand and learn from the past. This preservation is essential for maintaining a continuous record of human history and culture &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/information-literacy-perspectives-practices\/scholarship-as-a-conversation\/\" title=\"Scholarship as a Conversation\">the conversation of humankind<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Research and Education<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For researchers, historians, and students, archives are invaluable resources. They provide access to primary sources and original materials, which are crucial for <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/research\/research-methods\/textual-methods\/\" title=\"Textual Research Methods\">scholarly research<\/a>, educational purposes, and the pursuit of <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/information-literacy\/epistemology\/knowledge\/\" title=\"Knowledge\">knowledge<\/a>. This access supports academic study and enables a deeper understanding of various subjects.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Accountability and Transparency<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In the realm of governance and public affairs, archives are pivotal for ensuring accountability and transparency. By keeping detailed records of governmental actions, legal decisions, and public policies, archives enable citizens to hold institutions and leaders accountable for their actions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reflection of Societal Evolution\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Archives reflect the evolution of societal values, norms, and practices over time. They provide a <a href=\"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/section\/rhetoric\/rhetorical-situation\/perspective\/\" title=\"Perspective\">lens<\/a> through which we can view and understand the changes and developments in our society, including shifts in social attitudes, political landscapes, and cultural trends.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Public Access and Engagement<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Archives democratize information, making it accessible to the general public. This accessibility fosters public engagement with history and culture, encouraging community involvement and a deeper connection to our collective past.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Value &#8211; Information Has Value<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Archives are a commodity that has great value to stakeholders who seek to develop and use AI systems, such as Chat GPT.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":44937,"parent":67494,"menu_order":0,"template":"","tags":[],"chapters":[2343,1843],"class_list":["post-15605","section","type-section","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","chapters-archive","chapters-information-literacy"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/section\/15605","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/section"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/section"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"version-history":[{"count":48,"href":"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/section\/15605\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":61396,"href":"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/section\/15605\/revisions\/61396"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/section\/67494"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/44937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15605"},{"taxonomy":"chapters","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/writingcommons.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapters?post=15605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}