Introduction
Writing is a complex process that involves many techniques and structures that allow the authors to convey intricate ideas and connect with the audience. Although some techniques might seem obvious and easy to use, their proper application keeps readers interested and engaged. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the appropriate approaches to such methods in writing. Among the most vital writing principles are connected to the application of class style, avoidance of the curse of knowledge, and the involvement of arcs of coherence, all of which are present in Rehagen’s article on brewing in the context of climate change.
Classic Style
The first writing technique Pinker deemed effective is the application of the classic style. The writer claims that “a writer of classic prose must simulate two experiences: showing the reader something in the world, and engaging her in conversation” (Pinker 24). In other words, Pinker’s classic style is characterized by presenting information as if explaining it to a friend in a conversation.
As mentioned by the author, “Classic style as an antidote for academese, bureaucratese, corporatese, legalese, officialese, and other kinds of stuffy prose” (Pinker 24). Therefore, the classic style is not a philosophical or romantic style in which the writer seeks to convey his unique, intense, and often indescribable responses to a subject (Pinker 24). Overall, the technique is based on the belief that the text should articulate a specific idea to the audience in a simple manner.
The author of “Can AI perfect the IPA?” employs this style effectively. For instance, in one section, the author addresses the reader as if they were present. The author writes, “Before you strive for consistency, you need to perfect your formula. Why lock in a recipe for a beer that no one likes? This is among the biggest obstacles facing craft brewers” (Rehagen). By posing questions, the writer delves deeper into the brewing system and connects with the reader through simple constructions that invite reflection. Thus, it allows the reader to feel engaged and part of the narrative while also ensuring the complex topic is easily understood.
Avoiding the Curse of Knowledge
Moving on, the second technique commonly used in writing is avoiding complex terminology and structures. As Pinker mentions, “opaque prose is a deliberate choice. Bureaucrats and business managers insist on gibberish to cover their anatomy” (Pinker 40). The inability to imagine what it would be like for another person not to know something that one knows is known as the curse of knowledge (Pinker 41).
Economists coined the phrase to help clarify why, in theory, individuals are not as skilled negotiators when they have knowledge that their counterpart does not (Pinker 41). As another example, academics in less demanding disciplines attempt to fool their audiences with pretentious phrases by equating the mundane and apparent with elements of scientific complexity (Pinker 40). Therefore, by deliberately confusing the readers, writers will have texts with poor coherence and quality.
Tony Rehagen, the author of the online article, successfully used the technique when explaining how drought affects the beer industry and how genetically modified yeast strains can be the solution to the issue. The author begins by explaining that brewers now need to find inventive ways to replace their staple ingredients (Rehagen). Due to drought, beer makers are suffering, particularly in the western United States (Rehagen). As mentioned by the writer, “Shifting weather patterns can imperil America’s barley crops, but beer makers have a wide choice of fermentable alternatives, including wheat, rice, corn, oats, rye, and sorghum” (Rehagen).
Consequently, to investigate the potential of genetically modified yeast strains to release more potent hop flavoring agents during fermentation, brewers and bioengineers are collaborating (Rehagen). This allows for the extraction of more tropical and fruity essences from each plant, resulting in a much smaller amount of hops needed to achieve the same big hop flavor (Rehagen). Therefore, by recognizing that his audience might not be familiar with the brewing process or how drought can affect it, the author clearly articulates his ideas, making the text easy to comprehend.
Arcs of Coherence
Finally, arcs of coherence are another principle Pinker discusses. According to Pinker (98), “No sentence is an island; nor is a paragraph, a section, or a chapter.” Each one of them has links to additional textual content. Sentences can clarify, expand upon, or generalize their predecessors (Pinker 98). A lengthy piece of writing may have a recurring theme or topic (Pinker 98).
The audience member must keep note of individuals, locations, and ideas as they appear and disappear because they might return (Pinker 98). These links can be referred to as coherence arcs. In other words, the writer creates connections among the text’s parts, making it easy for the reader to follow the argument.
In Rehagen’s article, the arcs of coherence build on the overall theme of the brewing system. The author begins by explaining the background of brewing and gradually moves on to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in this process. The writer begins a new paragraph with a phrase: “Big brewers have used AI to make beer before” (Rehagen). He then offers an example, emphasizing that Carlsberg and Microsoft collaborated on the “beer fingerprinting project” in 2017, which aimed to identify flavors and scents while developing novel beers and guaranteeing strict quality control (Rehagen).
After this, a new transition to the ingredients in beer that are undergoing innovation is brought forward. Although hops, barley, yeast, and water have been staples of beer mash bills since the eighth century, brewers’ methods for obtaining and using these ingredients have changed significantly over the last several years (Rehagen). Thus, this transition connects the previous discussion of the brewing process to the upcoming discussion of AI and ingredients. It helps to create a clear, coherent narrative that the reader can easily follow.
Conclusion
In summary, Rehagen’s piece on brewing in the context of climate change demonstrates several important writing concepts, including the use of class style, avoiding the curse of knowledge, and incorporating coherence arcs. The first writing strategy is the application of the classic style, and Pinker finds it effective. Rehagen engages the reader with straightforward language that invites reflection and probes deeper into the topic of the brewing system through questions.
Moving on, the second writing technique that is frequently employed involves avoiding complex words and sentence structures. The author of the online article, Tony Rehagen, effectively applied this strategy to explain how drought impacts the beer industry and how genetically modified yeast strains may help. Lastly, Pinker talks about arcs of coherence as another principle. To help the reader understand and track the argument more easily, the writer connects the text’s sections. In Rehagen’s piece, the brewing system’s overarching theme is developed through the application of coherence arcs.
Works Cited
Pinker, Steven. The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person’s Guide to Writing in the 21st Century. Penguin Publishing Group, 2015.
Rehagen, Tony. “Can AI Perfect the IPA.” Experience, 2023.