Imagine you're a turtle on a beach.
There's never been anything but you and your turtle friends on this beach.
You were born on this beach, and you'll die on this beach.
You've never seen anything past the horizon of the water or the dunes of sand on the beach.
Your life on the beach is a fine, quiet life, and it's all you know.
So, Turtle on a beach... try explain the concept of Government.
How the hell do you know?
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label writing. Show all posts
Friday, September 14, 2007
Friday, June 29, 2007
The Trouble With Boredom
I'm bored, awful bored. I've been looking at the same page on and off for about 3 hours.
The problem is; its a table of contents.
"Table of Contents Syndrome" is a worrying problem. All it makes you good at is making Lists. But Lists are generally a preface to a more in-depth discussion of topics mentioned in the List. But what if you don't know what you're talking about?
The List can have two forms: Large and Small. A large List can be a very good thing. If you are writing for volume (which I am) then you can easily break up the text into smaller sections that can be independent, while the List takes care of any notion of flow.
If, however, you are writing for specification or description, a List can be a mixed blessing. Imagine writing a 2,000 word paper (about 4.5 typed pages). A large List will have basically written the paper for you, although if too large then you will only provide minimal detail and probably end up making a very poor and unclear, if succinct, point.
In this case, a short, broad List is more useful. You know what you are writing about, and by keeping your List short and broad you have more room to be creative and descriptive.
So, remember: when you are writing, plan it out – and keep your Lists tidy.
Back to the Table of Contents I go.
The problem is; its a table of contents.
"Table of Contents Syndrome" is a worrying problem. All it makes you good at is making Lists. But Lists are generally a preface to a more in-depth discussion of topics mentioned in the List. But what if you don't know what you're talking about?
The List can have two forms: Large and Small. A large List can be a very good thing. If you are writing for volume (which I am) then you can easily break up the text into smaller sections that can be independent, while the List takes care of any notion of flow.
If, however, you are writing for specification or description, a List can be a mixed blessing. Imagine writing a 2,000 word paper (about 4.5 typed pages). A large List will have basically written the paper for you, although if too large then you will only provide minimal detail and probably end up making a very poor and unclear, if succinct, point.
In this case, a short, broad List is more useful. You know what you are writing about, and by keeping your List short and broad you have more room to be creative and descriptive.
So, remember: when you are writing, plan it out – and keep your Lists tidy.
Back to the Table of Contents I go.
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