Ok, I don't know about anyone else, but this pyramid of abstraction that we're learning in Socratic is bugging the heck out of me. I kinda feel like it's limiting my writing.
Over the summer, I read half a dozen books on how to improve your writing (because I'm writing a novel). None of them mentioned the pyramid of abstraction, and these are best selling authors. Something that most of them said was that good authors usually break the rules of writing and find their own style.
I get what the pyramid's trying to do though. It's trying to get the writer to descibe what they're writing about. Yeah, I get that, but not all things are to be described, or should be described later when the description can be shown. I personally hate descriptions. There's books that'll pick up and the first chapter or two is just descriptions. That's bores me to death. Or, if at one paticular part in the book the author decideds to start rambling out the descriptions. Usually, from what I've read, it's best to descrid things by showing them with actions, and at diferent times.
For example, instead of, 'Ally had black hair, blue eyes, pale skin, and scars all over her body,' One could say, 'Ally neverously ran her fingers through her black hair, a habit she picked up from when she was around her abusive brother. She looked in the mirror, her crystal eyes staring back at her. As she gazed in the mirror she marveled because all of her life she never thought the scars covering her body would go away.'
Again, I don't know if it's just me as far as this pyramid thing goes, it's just something that bugs me. If anyone disagrees with my opinion or feels the need to chew me out for what I've siad, be my guest. Also, if you agree with me, it'd be nice if you said something too.
Thanks!
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2 comments:
Ha I agree with you Alex. I think you can go to far with the discription thing and it deffinately gets way boring. I also think that you should use good adjectives though so maybe finding a middle ground would be better- which I'm sure would take a very long time and a heck of alot of practice- which is to be acspected out of any novice writter. I think as long as the writter supplies the picture for you then they're good as far as descriptions go. BUT I also think it's good if the reader makes inferences for themselves because it makes them THINK . . . isn't that what socratic seminar is all about?
Alex,
I appreciate your thoughts on the pyramid of abstraction. Your comments have helped me understand that our class might have a misconception about what the pyramid is all about. It is not about making a long list of descriptive details (i.e., adjectives). Rather, it is about helping the reader have a movie playing in his/her head. In your post, you gave two examples of a description. The second was clearly better, and I would argue it is more true to the pyramid of abstraction. Remember, the pyramid has 2 thresholds: scene (a specific incident) and the 5 senses. If you just focus on the 5 senses without including some action (an incident), then your writing is very dull indeed. I think your writing is progressing well. The pyramid is simply one tool to help you strengthen your writing.
Thanks for being willing to critically analyze what we are learning in class.
Sincerely,
Mr. Dye
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