SU Session 4 Part 2

7/27/2019 SU Session 4 Part 2

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Classificational and analytical structures

The borderline between classificational and analytical

structures is not always clearcut.


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The orientation of taxonomies

The orientation of taxonomies introduces compositional

meaning.

Although they are usually inverted (bottom up) suggestinghierarchy, they may also have the branching go upward, or

towards the right, the New.

Increasingly taxonomies take the form of star diagrams inwhich the overarching category is placed in the centre, with the

categories surrounding it.


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Graphic variation

Tree structures can have straight, parallel branches, curved

branches, straight oblique branches etc.

Such variations invoke the meaning potential of key graphicfeatures such as curvature and boldness.


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A taxonomic portrait?


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Non-linearity

A non-linear diagram provides choices, and does not specify

the nature of the links between subsequent choices. But

ultimately the range of possible links is pre-determined and

represents a particular analysis of what is represented.

The links will, however, often be made explicit in the context of

use of the diagram.


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Philosophical hypertexts

The author could structure the text so that the reader constantly returns to

certain claims, but this structuring would not make those claims the

conclusion. Reading a philosophical text might gradually reveal an abstract

structure () a network of concepts, a conceptual landscape

from D. Kolb, Socrates in the Labyrinth, in G.P. Landow, ed

Hyper/Text/Theory, Baltimore, John Hopkins University Press, 1996


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Mosaic texts

The whole is not organized as a narrative, but more poetically, as a mosaic;

only the parts have diegetic unity, and between sequences editing seldom

establishes a chronological relationship Lacking narrative structure,

Wisemans films also lack linear-casual explanation. They do however imply atheory of the events they describe one consonant with mosaic structureIt

assumes that social events have multiple causes and must be analysed as

webs of interconnecting influences and patterns.

From B. Nichols Ideology and the Image. Social Representation in the Cinemaand Other Media, Bloomington, Indiana University Press, 1981


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Genealogy example

Genealogical chart Verbal text Genesis

Line from father and mother to all

children

Mother is mentioned but parents

of mother are not

All children are mentioned by

name

Marriage is indicated by horizontal

line

Age of father and mother at death

Selected images and details

Line from father and mother to son

who is direct ancestors

Mother mentioned but either no

mention of her parents or father

only

Other children not mentioned or

anonymized

Marriage and year or marriage

indicated

Details of all characters but less of

women

Direct line from father to firstborn

son

Mother not mentioned

Other children anonymized

Age of father at birth of first son

Age of father at death


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Concept map example

Concept map Verbal text How to draw concept map

text

Different links: enhancement (L-

R), analytical structure (green

colour) though should

environment be Carrier?;

taxonomy (lower part). But all lineshave the same colour and reason

for colour of participants not clear

Interactions with non-living

environment omitted

No inclusion of living things and

organisms

Habitat is related to ecosystem

Most general concept on top

Relation between environment

and ecosystem not clear (is

ecosystem a condition or

factor? What are other

conditions and factors?)

Interactions are of two kinds: with

living and with non-living

environment

Living things and interactions

form a system (analytical?)

Habitat is called living place of an

organism

Linear order of generality

All links sameline explains the

link. Colours and directionalities

not explained.

Emphasis on quantity and

exhaustiveness

Documents

SU Session 4 Part 2