Understanding complexity to move toward simplicity

1. Dealing with Complexity Basic Standards for Writing Michael L. Umphrey

2. Writing today is not a frill for the few, but an essential skill for the many. National Commission on Writing

3. To improve the teaching of writing. . .is also to improve the quality of thinking of school children. Judith Langer and Arthur Applebee

4. Writing is the most complex of human activities. Hilda Taba

5. Things are simple that can be understood by looking at a single level with a single set of conceptual tools

6. Things are complex when we can’t understand them without shifting perceptual or conceptual levels. Levels create complexity. We shift levels when we need to change tools: from a microscope to a sextant.

7. When we examine one level, we lose sight of other levels. When we examine a cell through a microscope, we cannot at the same time “see” elk populations shifting over decades.

8. Writing is (more or less) exactly as complex as the human mind

10. When we examine individual sentences, we can proofread for grammatical errors: the correctness. Or we can pay attention to the music and the rhythms and the figurative language: the style. Or we can contemplate the meaning and accuracy of the thought: the ideas. But few of us can do all these at the same time. (which is why it takes many drafts to get a piece of writing “right”) Awareness of the levels increases our perception of order – our ability to focus

11. At the level of paragraphs, new issues emerge. Is the paragraph unified? Do all the sentences relate to a single main idea? Is the paragraph adequately developed, with enough detail to communicate and to persuade? Is the paragraph coherent, with sentences arranged in a plan the reader can follow? Paragraphs

12. At the level of essays or articles, all the simpler issues remain important, but organization becomes increasingly difficult. . . . . . much more difficult. . . “ As length grows linearly, complexity expands exponentially.” Essays, Articles, Reports

14. Sentences . The Basic Standards An original sentence, a step forward, is worth more than all the censures. Emerson

16. Paragraphs You should develop the habit of writing in paragraphs . The expository paragraph with a topic sentence and detailed support is the basis of much academic and business writing. The Basic Standards

22. “ Report” Paragraph Frame I also learned. . . . For example, I learned. . . . I learned a lot about. . . . The most interesting thing I learned was. . . http://www.flatheadreservation.org/images/phs/Paragraph_frame-report.pdf

23. “ Persuasive” Paragraph Frame I believe that. . . One reason is. . . For example. . . Another reason is. . . For example. . . Therefore, . . . Also, . . . http://www.flatheadreservation.org/images/phs/Paragraph_frame-persuasive.pdf

24. “ Reflective” Paragraph Frame Today we studied. . . I already knew. . . The main thing I learned was. . . I question. . . I still want to know. . . http://www.flatheadreservation.org/images/phs/Paragraph_frame-reflective.pdf

25. A filled in paragraph frame Main Idea: Learning how to turn in homework assignments on time is one of the most valuable habits high school students can take with them into the working world. Explanation: Though employers may not assign homework in the traditional sense, many tasks must be completed by deadlines. The deadlines that students encounter in the classroom may be different that workplace deadlines but the importance of meeting those deadlines is the same. Example B: Accordingly, just as a student risks termination in the classroom if he/she fails to meet the deadline for a homework assignment, so, too, does that student risk termination in the workforce . Example A: In the classroom, students form a contract with the school when they enroll in a class. That contract requires that students complete the assignments set forth by the course's instructor in a specified time to receive a grade and credit for the course. Completion of idea (or transition to next paragraph): Developing good habits of turning in assignments in class now, as current students, will aid your performance and position as future participants in the working world.

28. Outlines To write an outline, you need to focus on the highest level of writing: Ideas, Organization, Accuracy and Truth The Basic Standards

30. Organization is the main problem in lengthy writing. Outlines are the solution. “ Every writer of any merit at all during the last five hundred years of English history outlined virtually everything he wrote. . . Jon Franklin

34. Graphic organizers are often better than Roman numerals Constructing a Thesis PDF

44. Words are sacred. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones, in the right order, you can nudge the world a little. Tim Stoppard