The Writing Problems of Visual Thinkers -- Part 3

Visual thinking is non-linear; writing is linear. The major challenge for visual thinkers is to learn how to analyze, label, and organize experience so it can be presented in a linear fashion.

Here are some writing problems visual thinkers can have as a result of non-linear thinking.

7. Non-linear language -- Effort to express thought as clustered, stacked, layered,enfolded, rather than linear.

8. Descriptions static--Not arranged in dynamic sequence. Reader does not have enough
information to piece together the visualization required and must guess what the author means by a few labels.

9. Weak transitions and connectives -- Parts juxtaposed without being related. Reads like haiku or film script. "Dissolve," "jump cut," and "fade to black" would be appropriate transitions.

10. Undefined references -- "He did it to them." Dangling modifiers. Vague use of "this," "it," "thing," and other vague terms.

11. Poor organization -- Digressive. Gets lost in detail. Thought jumps around. Topic has not
been analyzed, broken into chunks, and sequenced in a purposive manner.

12. Weak narrative -- Little sense of plot, conflict, drama, structure, buildup, climax. Referred to, but not told. Stated, but not argued.