Journal Entry #1

In the essay popularSigns.pdf the statement, "The meaning of a sign can be found not in
itself but in its relationships (both differences and similarities) with other signs within a system.
To interpret an individual sign, then, you must determine the general system in which it
belongs," has many implications. You must dissect a sign like the cats in your tenth grade
biology class, understanding the components of the sign itself. Then, you must compare and
contrast the sign to that of neighboring signs. For example, take that same cat and compare it to
the insides of humans and other animals, noting the similarities and differences among them.
Both cats and humans have lungs, a liver, two kidneys, a small intestine, colon, etc., but a cat
lacks an appendix and has much shorter intestines. Comparing the cat to other species helps you
to better understand the cat and why it was designed the way it was.
If I were to find the meaning of a sign, I would use the plan outlined in the book Writing
Analytically. I would use the method to find the patterns of repetition between the sign and those
within the same system. Then I would identify the strands or groups of similar details. Next I
would point out the clear oppositions between the signs. Using the gathered information, I would
define the sign. It is easier to do after using the method because it helps you to use concrete data
and observation to interpret the meaning of a sign more thoughtfully and analytically.