If Maslow has a hierarchy of needs, can I have a hierarchy of writing?

Hierarchy of needs

While Maslow’s human journey begins at the bottom and works up level by level, a writer enters anywhere on the triangle. A writer needs experience and facility with all levels, but the journey is hardly linear.

writing pyramid

to be verbs

adjectives & adverbs

figurative and sensory detail

strong nouns & active verbs

structure of the parts and the whole

audience & purpose

On the other hand, is my pyramid more like earlier versions of the food pyramid?

old FDA food pyramid

Yes, more like the food pyramid. Maslow’s hierarchy assumes the top point is the goal – attainment or actualization – while the FDA assumes the top represents smallest amount in use. To be verbs, like fats and sugars in a healthy diet, should appear rarely in effective writing. A sense of purpose and audience, like grains in a diet, establish the foundation of any writing.

As I create this, I generate more questions. Do I have all the ‘right’ categories for the writing? Could I set up my pyramid like the new and improved FDA pyramid with the man climbing stairs up the side? What do you think?

Punch line: All this questioning, thinking, creating, and decision-making really are the point. My own example above supports the classroom practice of having students create graphic organizers rather than simply filling in pre-designed organizers. Can I make my practice better match what I know? Any thoughts?