Lists & hierarchies

This was a pretty wild lesson. We started with something simple, that you probably take for granted, and showed how it's more complex than you might think.

Why bother? Why put so much effort into lists?

Because lists are about data and structure, which feed into everything else in writing, and life in general.

In this lesson you've been observing the world, gathering data, and then experimenting with ways in which you can organise, categorise, and communicate that data.

It's big stuff!

Here's everything we've learned:

• A list contains items.
• These items represent a particular slice of reality (or a fictional world).
  • In science, you'd call these items a sample.
  • In maths, you'd call them a set.
  • In fiction, you'd call them descriptive details.
• Lists can use words, pictures, or both.
• List items can be described with more or less detail.
  • When items have limited detail, we tend not to have an opinion about them one way or another.
  • More detail can make list items seem more or less believable, depending on the specifics.
• List items are usually related in some way.
  • If the items seem like they belong together, we find the list more believable.
  • If items don't belong together, we might find the list less believable.
• Items are can be placed in categories which express relationships.
  • At a minimum, all list items are related by being in a list, if nothing else.
  • A list with only one category or level is called a flat list.
  • List categories can have subcategories which create additional levels.
  • There can be all kinds of categories and relationships.
• Lists can be ordered or unordered.
  • Ordered lists can be ranked by either objective or subjective criteria.
  • Ordered lists can be sequenced, such as steps in a procedure or events in a timeline.
• Lists can be spatially arranged in different ways.
  • Many lists are vertical.
  • They can also be horizontal or inline, particularly in prose.
  • A list can also be formed in a matrix.
• Matrices are relatively rigid.
  • Each row represents a list item.
  • Each column represents properties of that item.
  • All items are described by the same properties.
• Because items have all sorts of properties and dimensions, making a list is a combination of observation, analysis, and creativity.

Where did the lesson cover image come from?

The cover of this lesson is a beautiful image from another famous book of lists, Sowerby's British Mineralogy. (It's really worth clicking that link!)

That's it for this lesson, see you next time.

But I'll live you with one last puzzle: what can you say about this list of brownie fails?