Reading and Writing Ladder of Complexity
Reading Complexity Writing Complexity:
Reading complexity is theme and character In my opinion, writing complexity is the
development such as a character that slowly tone of the writing, such as if it were a
evolves, or a theme that could have multiple formal tone vs an informal tone.
meanings. Complexity is also how meaningful it is to
me, like if the story is about some left-
#1 Most Complex: We are the ants wing nonsense I'm not going to have that
much of an interest in supporting it or
by Shaun David Hutchinson writing about it.
We are the ants by Shaun David Hutchinson is about
#1 Most Complex: Personal
a boy who was delt the wrong cards in life and has
the choice to save the world. The only problem is Writing Piece
that he doesn’t think it’s worth saving. This book is
My Personal Writing Piece ranks at the
at the top of my complexity ladder because of the
top of my complexity ladder because of
evolution of both characters, and perspective. At the
the informal tone and how meaningful it
beginning of the book, Henery doesn’t believe that
is to me. “When I go back to therapy, I
the world is worth save. As the story progresses, his
want to talk about when to come out as
perspective on life changes slowly. The characters
gay to Christian parents. I mean... I am a
evolving would consist of characters like Marcus,
9/10 of the gay/straight scale. I really
just a horrible person, who we slowly see the
want too, and as soon as possible too. He
different layers peel back of who he really is. By
can help me plan it out, and maybe even
character development and perspective, Shaun
bring them up there to talk about it...
David Hutchinson forces the reader to see the
With him in the room. I want to be myself
different layers of both characters and the
with my parents.”
perspective, making this book most complex for me. “I need to look back at this page when I
go back to therapy... T.T.Y.L. (For real this
#2: The Landlady time,
too!)” these details show the complexity
by Ronald Dahl of these feelings and the topic they are
about.
The Landlady by Ronald Dahl is about an ordinary
man who was looking for a place to rest, and a #2 Persuasive Letter
landlady looking for naïve people such as himself.
This short story is in the middle of my complexity My Persuasive Letter ranks in the middle
ladder because of the rich vocabulary with words of my complexity ladder because of a mix
such as “congenial”, and even the Landlady herself of both formal and informal writing.
is complex. At the beginning of the text, she is Formal: “High school is supposed to be a
described as this “warm” lady, but as the story place of learning and achievement. A
progresses, her sweet traits are later described as place you can both learn, and have fun,
“cold”. By creating this slow change in behavior/ but I’ve got some major issues with the
feel, Ronald Dahl forces the reader to doubt the “Themed-Day” stuff.”, and informal: “or a
intentions of the Landlady, making this text freaking DIRT BIKE. Where would you
somewhat complex for me. put it?” This switch between formal and
informal show the change in emotion in
#3 Least complex: Annabel Lee the writing which is somewhat complex to
me.
by Edgar Allen Poe
#3 Least Complex:
Annabel Lee by Edgar Allen Poe tells a story of a
man’s obsession over this beautiful woman. This
Presentation Visual Aid
story is at the bottom of my complexity ladder
My Presentation Visual Aid ranks at the
because of its own story, how it twists from a man
bottom of my complexity ladder because
loving a beautiful woman: “but we loved with a love
of my lack of interest in writing it. This
that was more than love—I and my Annabel Lee”, writing piece is meaningless to me. “The
and it turned into this dark obsession with her even Radius of Us is set in Atlanta Georgia. A
after her passing: “and so all the night-tide I lay girl named Gretchen lived a pretty normal
down by the side, of my darling—my darling—my life,” and “his idea not to judge someone
based on what they look like or where
life and my bride”, “in her tomb by the sounding
they came from.” This writing piece is not
sea.” Another reason for this rank would be the
my favorite because it has no feeling or
vocabulary such as “seraphs”. By showing this
depth. I feel nothing looking at this piece.
twisted transition and forgotten vocabulary, Edgar
Allen Poe forces the reader to think about when the This piece is not complex to me.
story took place and how it affects the story itself,
making this poem least complex for me.
