Podcast Notes on Klingenberg and Writing Strategies

Overview of Klingenberg's Concepts on Writing and Language

Introduction

  • The podcast discusses favorite passages from Verling Klingenberg's Several Short Sentences About Writing.
  • Emphasis on the interconnectedness of sentences, transitions, and outlines in writing.
  • Note: Some content may be obvious to those who have closely read Klingenberg's work.

Connection Between Klingenberg and Lakoff & Johnson

  • Klingenberg’s writings relate to the transparent versus constitutive theories of language discussed by Lakoff and Johnson.
  • Common belief: Language holds meaning and transmits it, presenting a challenge in writing.
  • Clunky Metaphors: The metaphor of language as a container obscures true communication and meaning.

The Conduit Metaphor

  • Quoting Michael Reddy, Lakoff and Johnson highlight the conduit metaphor:
    • Ideas and meanings are equivalent to objects contained in linguistic expressions.
    • Communication is perceived as sending or getting a point across.
    • Miscommunication: Treating language as a conduit perpetuates misunderstandings.
  • They argue that linguistic expressions have meanings independent of context or speaker.

Misinterpretations of Lakoff and Johnson

  • Clarification: Lakoff and Johnson summarize and qualify the conduit metaphor but don’t endorse it.
  • Importance of accurate quoting in academic discourse, especially when discussing multiple registers or voices in writing.

Registers in Academic Writing

  • Distinction between different voices or speakers in academic texts.
  • Noting how quotes should be understood in relation to their original context and intent.

Insights from Klingenberg

  • Klingenberg argues against viewing reading as mere extraction of meaning:
    • Highlights that reading should not overlook the character of sentences.
    • Critiques how education often emphasizes the extraction of meaning over the nuances of sentence structure.
  • The Constitutive Theory of Language: Argues that the form of the sentence can affect its meaning and should not be treated merely as a means to convey ideas.

The Role of Sentence Structure

  • Questions the traditional belief that various sentences can imply the same meaning.
  • Emphasizes valuing the attributes of the sentence itself, rather than merely its extractable meaning.
  • Observes that children often appreciate specific wording and structure, showcasing the intrinsic value of each sentence.

The Artistic Nature of Writing

  • The value of a sentence is in its unique attributes and in its role as a stand-alone unit.
  • Writing should be seen as an act of crafting that doesn't merely serve to communicate a point, but also possesses its own artistic integrity.

Klingenberg on Transitions

  • Critique of teaching transitions as a means to avoid clear writing:
    • Suggests that constant concern for transitions assumes the reader is passive and needs guiding.
    • Effective writing should not rely on transitions if clarity and understanding are achieved in the sentences themselves.

Critique of Traditional Sentence Openings

  • Klingenberg challenges the use of formulaic sentence starters (e.g., “It is…”).
  • Critiques clichés, stating they weaken prose and hinder original thought.

The Nature of Volunteer Sentences

  • Volunteer sentences emerge from a lack of careful consideration and often lead to dull writing.
  • They may disguise a failure to engage with the material meaningfully.
  • Suggests distancing from them to focus on active crafting of sentences.

Revision and Conscious Writing

  • Distinction made between free writing and intentional revision; writing should always engage thought and reconsideration of language.
  • Importance of conscious attention to the sentence structure and language being used.
  • Revision is an ongoing process, intertwined with composition.

The Nature of Outlining in Writing

  • Outlining is critiqued as constraining creativity and spontaneity of discovery in writing.
  • Reverse Outline: Klingenberg suggests writing first and then outlining to reflect the development of thoughts.
  • Writing should emerge organically rather than strictly conforming to a predetermined outline.

Effective Introductions

  • The podcast concludes with tips on writing introductions:
    • Wait until the essay is completed to formulate the introduction, so as to accurately represent the content.