Wednesday, February 10, 2010
An Appetite for Coherence: Arousing and Fulfilling Desires
In this article, Fleckenstein explains the importance of coherent writing. She gives many examples of paragraphs that are incoherent. These examples help clarify what she means about writing a coherent paper. While reading the examples, I was unable to decipher the actual context and main meaning of the story. I understood all the of the individual sentences and words, but was unable to find out what the story was actually about. Cohesiveness is very important when writing because if your sentences aren't cohesive then the whole story or message loses meaning or maybe there is simply no way to understand what anything means at all. Fleckenstein's approach to writing in regards to what the reader will think is important because essentially you are writing for some sort of audience. I think that is very crucial to read through a paper keeping in mind how your intended audience will interpret what you wrote.
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I think this article had alot to do with my keyword paper on arrangement. One of my arguments was that you had to cater to the audience's emotions. I agree with you too that paper should be coherent because if not the outcome of it will not be successful.I wonder if revision helps?
ReplyDeleteI agree with your summary about the necessary presence of coherence and cohesiveness within a composition. Personally, the examples were somewhat difficult to follow but if they were being taught as they were referenced in the article (a classroom setting), I would more than likely be able to apply the strategies better. I think it can be quite evident in inexperienced writers' papers the lack of transitional techniques or linguistic cues that aid in the overall development and coherence of the composition. Do you think the strategy described by Fleckenstein would have been useful for you in a freshman composition class?
ReplyDeleteI will third the idea that cohesion is critical in a paper, because without it, whatever message the writer is trying to portray will be lost in translation. I would also think that revision does help, but overall, what parts did you have trouble understanding? The entire thing, or just bits and pieces?
ReplyDeleteI agree that coherence is one of the most difficult tasks to achieve as a writer. Personally, the article helped me realize the importance of being a good reader when it comes to writing. It seems as though we have forgot that readership is just as important as authorship. Do you think coherence becomes second nature over experience?
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