Normans Writing Strategy - Article Example

One of the writing strategies that Norman uses to draw his readers into his work is the rhetorical question. He asks a short series of questions thatare designed to make the reader think about the subject he is introducing by recalling to mind the various times they may have struggled with the kinds of digital everyday objects that are the focus of the article. Rhetorical questions are questions that are not necessarily intended to be answered but, because they have the tone of a question, function to make the brain start searching for answers. Some authors may choose to answer these questions later in the text, which also works to help keep interest in the work flowing and to build continuity into the writing. The rhetorical question that really seems to set up the article is found at the end of the introduction: “Why do we put up with the frustration of everyday objects, with objects that we can’t figure out how to use, with those neat plastic-wrapped packages that seem impossible to open, with doors that trap people, with washing machines and dryers that have become to confusing to use, with audio-stereo-television-video-cassette-recorders that claim in their advertisements to do everything, but that make it almost impossible to do anything?” Within this long question, the author ensures that he has hit upon some digital object that most of his readers have struggled with probably recently and who probably responds automatically with a hint of indignant agreement. Another strategy used by the author is logic. This is a process in which the basic concepts of an idea are broken down into their smaller parts and analyzed for meaning. By approaching this subject in this way, the author is able to convey a sense of clear-thinking at the same time that he maps out a journey for his reader to follow. An example of this strategy is found in Norman’s discussion of the difficulty of doors. Again employing the rhetorical question to involve his reader, Norman continues his discussion of the problems with doors by outlining the logical sequences that flow through a person’s head as they approach one of these structures: “A door poses only two essential questions: In which direction does it move? On which side should one work it? The answers should be given by the design, without any need for words or symbols, certainly without any need for trial and error.” The logical process used to figure out how to use a door is followed in the author’s example of a European post office in which the friend tried first one thing, then another thing until he was finally able to follow other visitors to solve the problem before him. In discussing the problems that people have with doors, the author has provided a logical example of what he means when he discusses visibility – a term he uses to refer to the subtle visual clues that designers incorporate into their structures to help people figure out intuitively how to make that object perform as expected. A third writing strategy the author uses to get his point across is the use of example. This is somewhat examined in the above discussion about logic, but is a different technique. While logic traces the natural steps of a thought process, examples show more of what the author is discussing. For example, the author points out that “with doors that push, the designer must provide signals that naturally indicate where to push. These need not destroy the aesthetics. Put a vertical plate on the side to be pushed, nothing on the other. Or make the supporting pillars visible.” These examples of what the author is talking about are then explained to greater degree as to why they are necessary and why they have to be visible enough to the unsuspecting individual to make the structure usable on the first or second try. These types of examples help the author introduce his unique vocabulary, such as the concept of natural design, into the discussion to make further discussion easier for the reader to follow. By presenting his argument in this way, he has managed to grab the reader’s attention at the same time that he has introduced new vocabulary and given them a clear idea of what it is that he is referring to. There are several places in Norman’s chapter that makes use of first person narratives in order to bring his ideas across. This has the effect of making the subject seem more universally applicable at the same time that it introduces different viewpoints on the subjects being discussed. The effectiveness of these first-person narratives is largely directly associated with the amount of space they are given on the page. Within his discussion of new telephone systems being installed in a variety of places, Norman allows several people to speak for themselves, but only briefly. These people are generally given only one or two sentences in which to make their statements. These brief statements do not convey much about the people who spoke the words other than making it very clear that they are unhappy with the new system. He quotes a person he only identifies as ‘one woman’ saying “it doesn’t have a hold function” and he characterizes her manner of speaking as ‘bitter’. Another person is permitted to retain their own characterization: “Yech! … and it doesn’t even have a hold function.” Although both of these people are portrayed as feeling unsatisfied with the available functions of their telephone systems, only one is clearly against the system with their inclusion of the word ‘Yech’ into their statement while the other might be simply informing the audience of the lack of this function. Our only sense that this person is dissatisfied is brought out by the author’s characterization of the tone of her speech. In another segment, the author allows a British designer to speak about the psychology of materials: “In one case, the reinforced glass used to panel shelters …erected by British Rail was smashed by vandals as fast as it was renewed. When the reinforced glass was replaced by plywood boarding, however, little further damage occurred, although no extra force would have been required to produce it.” This speaker seems to have a very educated approach to the subject, which is determined by the way in which he uses his words and the specific knowledge he presents about the subject. The continuation of the statement, though, indicates that some important information has gone missing, though, as the speaker says the new damage is limited to those who can write. An educated reader might assume that this is referring to graffiti damage, but nothing is explicitly stated. The reason this confusion isn’t explored any further, though, is because it would detract from the basic point which is that there seems to be some kind of psychology of materials that says windows should be smashed and wood, even when no stronger than the windows, should be painted upon. Compare and Contrast the use of first person narratives in the first chapter of the design of everyday things Donald Norman, the writer of The design of everyday things makes use of first person narratives( the personal stories of individuals). Compare and contrast the first person narratives use in the chapter. Consider their overall PURPOSE(s) within the context the chapter. What, if anything, do they have in common? And in what ways do they differ and why? Write a 2 page, double spaced response. (Areas to consider: subject of the narrative ( who is the I ), topic of the narrative, use of image or diagrams, intended audience, message, rhetorical appeals, language, voice ( use of pronouns) and tone ( casual, professional.) Read More