Posts tagged tool

How to Select A How to Book Writing System: Understanding What’s Available

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Now that we know our needs, what is available. Again we’re going to create a framework but this time we’re going to try to place the available systems on that framework.

First off systems fit somewhere on the line from unstructured to structured. By this I mean that the system imposes a structure on you. Or to put it another way, creates an acceptable structure as part of it’s functioning. Unstructured means that the system won’t create a structure at all. It’s focus is on other things. It presumes that you, as the writer, will impose a focus.

The second dimension of importance is cognitive or non-cognitive. Think of cognitive as ergonomics for the brain. A cognitive system uses the brain’s own way of functioning to accomplish it’s purposes. A non-cognitive tool simply does what it needs to do without regard to how the brain works.

There are four basic tools or systems in use:

1. Speed Writing
2. Outlining aka the school system
3. Mindmapping
4. Structured cognitive

Speed Writing is a system developed by journalists to help them generate small articles very quickly. Pick 3/5/7 words that describe the subject. Then write for 5/10/15 minutes as quickly as you can, without stopping, without editing and without interruptions. Then stop. This system is non-structured  and non-cognitive.

Outlining is the system you learned in school. Write down in order what you will write about. It is non-cognitive however it is structured although arguably not completely.

These are the two most common systems on the market.

Mindmapping (and to a lesser extend brainstorming) is the next most common system in use. It is a cognitive tool which involves drawing a circle for the concept and then lines for the ideas which grow from the concept. In more generic terms it is called a (single node) semantic network diagram. It is excellent for getting ideas out of one’s head and documenting the relationships between ideas. However, like the brain, it really doesn’t function well as a sequential organizer of facts.

Both of the non-structural systems have a problem in that neither is capable of organizing the facts appropriately for a complex piece of writing like a book. Therefore many of the systems built on the speed writing or mindmapping patch on outlining/school techniques to the end of the system. However, the core of the system remains the initial technique.

All of the three systems mentioned so far have a serious problem in that they are partial systems only and require extensive input by the writer. Effectively, they depend on the writer’s skill to perform their functions. As a result they are limited when functioning for increasing complexity. However, they are flexible and are capable of providing assistance for whatever type of writing (time or fact) being done.

Cognitive structured systems, on the other hand, are complete systems which help guide the writer to a successful conclusion. Unfortunately, because they are comprehensive they are not flexible. When selecting a system it is imperative for the writer to choose one based on the type of writing (time or fact) which they will be doing. They function well over the whole complexity dimension however, they shine in as the writing becomes more complex.

Cognitive structured systems are based on one of two tools. Time based systems use a time line and tend to be more complex with other tools being incorporated. Fact based systems tend to use a structured mindmapping tool. The LearningCreators’ system is an example of this type.