DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LINEAR WRITING AND HYPERTEXT WRITING

Writing for a website is a big difference from writing the traditional linear paper. A website requires not only an interesting content but also a design that grabs the attention of the readers. A website is design for exploration, therefore it shouldn’t constrain the reader from one page to another. The website essentially unfolds through the reader. Therefore, each page has to be concise and succinct; it can’t meander from one point to the other. Each page requires a character of its own and that is what separates the website from a paper in an aesthetic manner.

In a linear essay, one an argument must be established in the beginning of the paper. In its essence, it has to have a thesis or an argument to propel the paper. This is where one can argue the critical thinking shows as oppose to a website. A linear paper requires impartiality. It is not representing any certain views and in most cases, it usually only has one interpretation.

"Critical thinking is the use of those cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome. It is used to describe thinking that is purposeful, reasoned and goal directed - the kind of thinking involved in solving problems, formulating inferences, calculating likelihoods, and making decisions when the thinker is using skills that are thoughtful and effective for the particular context and type of thinking task. Critical thinking also involves evaluating the thinking process - the reasoning that went into the conclusion we've arrived at the kinds of factors considered in making a decision. Critical thinking is sometimes called directed thinking because it focuses on a desired outcome." (Diane F. Halpern)

A linear essay requires critical thinking where there is an objective. That is to prove point that evokes a certain mindset. In most cases, the thesis already shows the gist of the paper. A conclusion in front, which creates a certain mindset entering when reading the paper. In a website, the writing may be more personal. It usually tries to be evocative and readers are open to formulate their own opinions. In a linear writing, it has to be rather precise or where one has to “make logical inferences.” (Simon and Kaplan) A linear writing is a form of presenting empirical data. A website does the same thing in many respect but it is already influenced by the attitude of the writer. Both allows reader to criticize but a linear writing traditionally is one sided. Where the two sites differ they also meet. That is it is up to the writer and the reader to accept the information as the truth. Writers are in a much more difficult position because they many not believe in their thesis. Therefore, “Critical thinking is careful and deliberate determination of whether to accept, reject, or suspend judgment.” (Moore and Parker) Both are suppose to draw the opinions of all the readers and create an intellectual discourse about a certain matter.

Linear thinking vs. hypertext thinking

"Critical thinking is the development of cohesive and logical reasoning patterns." Stahl and Stahl, 1991
In linear writing, it is much easier for me to format my thoughts. I found that in hypertext writing, I would often write myself in circles, with no distinct "end" point. However, in website form, it is more acceptable to do this because of internal links.
"Critical thinking skills: understanding the meaning of a statement, judging ambiguity, judging whether an inductive conclusion is warranted, and judging whether statements made by authorities are acceptable."
Smith, 1990. In dealing with linear writing, ambiguity is easier to address without making the reader feel like you just forgot to add a webpage or a link. However, I think it is easier to address the opinions and your own judgements on the opinions of authors in hypertext because you can link out to their opinions and let the reader do some judgement for themselves.
"Critical thinking is "the art of thinking about your thinking while you are thinking in order to make your thinking better: more clear, more accurate, or more defensible."
Paul, Binker, Adamson, and Martin (1989)
In doing the hypertexts, I found that I was able to more easily challenge my own thinking because of the free- flowing format a website offers. It allows you to go off on tangents when needed, or to stay focused. In going off on tangents, I found that often I would contradict myself and this caused me to reevaluate what my point really was. In a linear format, I would have just stuck with a point and gone with it, regardless of if my thinking shifted. In contradicting myself, I found that I could make a more accurate point and get to the heart of what I was really trying to say. And in finding the contradictions myself, I could better prepare myself to combat holes in my writing and thinking.

Hypertext thinking vs. Linear thinking

"Critical thinking is careful and deliberate determination of whether to accept, reject, or suspend judgment" (Moore and Parker, 1994). This statement represents the biggest disparity between hyper-textual thinking and regular linear thinking. When writing in hypertext one must carefully judge the worthy information that they are going to write. Only the most important, original, and succinct ideas going to hypertext writing, and that differs from linear writing. In linear writing one takes all of the information and jumbles it together because they need to portray a large picture. But in hypertext one's goal is to give an accurate picture of just one piece of the overall puzzle. Along these lines is the idea of "the art of thinking about your thinking while you are thinking in order to make your thinking better: more clear, more accurate, or more defensible" (Paul, Binker, Adamson, and Martin 1989). This idea contradicts the practices of "smash and grab" writing, where one develops a thesis and then sets out to prove it's true against all opposition. Hyper-textual writing is a move away from this. In hypertext, one researches a topic and then comes to their view point. "The purpose of critical thinking is, therefore, to achieve understanding, evaluate view points, and solve problems" (Maiorana, Victor P. Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum: Building the Analytical Classroom. 1992). This idea shows that hypertext is the development of a point of view, not an argument or persuasion.