Overall this book offers a pragmatic and helpful approach towards thinking about writing. The pyramid as a shape is useful in terms of visualising the structure of writing as a whole. Pitched at a more corporate (business) target audience the case study examples are not so useful for research writing. But, many of the ideas can be applied to the process of research writing.
Summary of pyramid structure approach…
The human mind looks for order and relationships.
A way of dealing with complexity is to group things into categories and themes.
Ideas are presented in a structured sequence from top to bottom starting with an overview summary and then subsequent summaries for each idea that supports the main argument.
You cannot assume that readers see the same relationships that you do so these need to be clearly articulated.
One way to work out the pyramid structure to the writing and the sequence of ideas is to work from the bottom up. Pulling together sentences into paragraphs around single ideas and then those paragraphs into sections working up to the overview summary of the argument. (Mapping sketching ideas out on paper is similar) Put another way – listing all the points that will be raised and then making connections across those points to cluster together ideas around particular issues. Making early conclusions on the issues raised from the clustered themes that emerge as means to work out the core argument/question.
Each paragraph expresses a single idea.
Each section expresses a single idea through a number of paragraphs. These sections can be described with a plural noun. ie ‘recommendations…reasons…problems…changes etc. (p.12)
These paragraphs are sequenced ‘logically’ in a number of ways. ie ‘[deductive (major minor premise) , chronological, structural (themes, nouns etc), comparative (1st, 2nd etc)]‘ (p 15)
The objective is to create clarity so the reader does not have to move back and forth within the sequence of writing from top to bottom. Instead the reader should be able to progress easily from top to bottom. Each idea is summarised top to bottom.
Breaking down the pyramid structure
At first this vertical and horizontal relationships description of the structure was confusing. On a second read, vertical relationships are based on the notion of stepping down from one layer to the next. ie from section to section. This is moving from one question or point to another. Horizontal relationships flow along a layer. ie Following the logical sequence of paragraphs that address a question.
The trick is the ordering – working from top to bottom. This is not to bring up questions that the reader has not been prepared for previously. (p. 18)
The key objective is to ‘present information only as the reader needs it’, and to frame ideas in a way that they raise a question to be answered by the reader.
This is writing an idea in way that interests the reader to find out more (these are things that the reader ‘does not know’). There has to be a need for the reader to be interested. (p.18-22)
Ultimately, information is provided in an order that is required by the reader.
Introduction
The introduction is crucial in setting up the argument, the question for the reader. A narrative trajectory (a storyline) is the suggested structure for this introduction – ‘situation, complication, question, answer’ (p. 22)
The answer in the introduction needs to raise a new question and so on…
It is crucial to draw the reader in with the introduction (the exposition of the situation). One approach is to use the (fictional type) narrative device that asks the reader to keep reading to see what may occur…(situation-complication-resolution p. 39)
Sharing a storyline the reader is familiar with in order to raise the unfamiliar.
‘Accepted knowledge on the subject’ p. 41
Provide the familiar (what the reader would agree on) – but presented differently in order to encourage inquiry – inspire your readers to ask the question you wish to address’ (p. 41)
The introduction does not want to raise concepts that cannot be explained or provided with suitable background within the introduction itself.
Transitions
Major transitions are needed between each horizontal section (groups of paragraphs arguing a point).
The focus in these transitions is on using the concepts presented to take the reader from one section to another. Rather than reiterating what has already been conveyed.
This is achieved by looking both backwards and forwards concurrently. A concept in the preceding writing can be used as an opening sentence. This point is linked with the main point raised in the next section.
It is also useful to precede a transition like this with a summary statement on the preceding section. They bring points raised across the paragraphs in that section.
Headings
Headings can be used to help the reader, signposting and bringing the whole piece of writing together. A pragmatic approach may be more suitable than being written poetically. Both a creative and pragmatic approach to headings would be preferable.
Headings are used to signal the themes that have emerged in a section (A description of a cluster of paragraphs for a section).
There can be sub-section headings used a main section heading if necessary.
Simple, minimal, attention grabbing rather than being seen as part of the body of text. (p.77)
They provide a crucial overview in the contents and summary of an entire work like a book or exegesis.
Problems
A useful framework of questions for thinking about and understanding problems posed – quoted from the text: (p.114)
1. What is the problem?
2. Where does it lie?
3. Why does it exist?
4. What could we do about it?
5. What should we do about it?
This is useful for fleshing out the problem and testing it before proceeding. A process that could be added to the Schon material discussed earlier.
Reference:
Minto, B 2002, The pyramid principle : logic in writing and thinking, Rev. edn, Financial Times Prentice Hall, Harlow, England ; New York.
