Hypertext

Reading is a whole new experience with hypertext. It is not the traditional reading of left to right, top to bottom. The reader can read a little here; then click – some more reading; then click – and more reading. Before you know it, you have “traveled” through cyberspace, reading chunks of material from different websites. This is not your great - grandmother’s experience with reading!! We've definitely "come a long way baby!"

Fowler [1] notes some differences between hypertext and print text on his website:

“The printed page sits fixed and still; electronic text is always in flux, flickering on and off our computer screen. … With hypertext, the text changes with each reading. Reading a particularly challenging piece of hypertext fiction, one that leaves narrative sequence entirely up to the reader, Bolter observes: There is no single story of which each reading is a version, because each reading determines the story as it goes. We could say that there is no story at all; there are only readings. The language of the printed page conventionally strives to express a single, clear voice or point of view, but hypertext lends itself to multiple, perhaps even conflicting voices. No piece of hypertext stands alone; it co-operates with all the other pieces with which it is networked in the docuverse.“

Hypertext can have multiple authors while print text generally has one author. When there are multiple authors of hypertext, one of the responsibilities of the main author (possible the webmaster) is to try to make the "voice" on the website seem like one author. This is similar with a group working together for a business proposal or presentation. When there are multiple voices, sometimes it can become confusing to the reader.

At times it is also hard to read hypertext, as the story or article (or the reading experience) can tend to be "chopped up." This can happen when the reader decides to follow the links that are included in the hypertext article. This can also be true of hypertext fiction. I agree with Fowler that reading of hypertext should be referred to as "readings" because usually the reader does read multiple hypertext articles versus one reading (or article) in a print text.

Hypertext can tend to be more disposable than print text. Reading articles on the web does not cost money, unlike books that readers purchase. Whether the reader realizes it or not, this does effect their attitude toward hypertext and print text. When an item is free, a reader could have the attitude of taking it for granted and view it as not worth much. This could be said of hypertext. Because readers do not pay for reading different hypertext articles (except for the standard cable charge), readers can easily walk away after a few minutes and not finish what they started reading. But when readers purchase a book, they do so because they plan to read it. Generally there is thought put into purchases and they are not taken lightly (especially with the economy these days.) Even if the reader is not aware of a difference in attitude toward hypertext and print text, it is there because their actions convey this attitude difference.

David S. Miall [2] writes about Hypertext on his academic website. He describes link distractability as the surfing syndrome, and says, "The grass is alway greener on the other side of the link. As I have put it elsewhere, hypertext invites a mode of reading that is unsettled, restless, meandering, insatiable. Internet readers are surfers. Is this how reading is, or how it must become in the electronic future?"

It is true that a reader can spend a lot of time surfing the net and not "accomplish" anything in the time (hours) they sit in front of their computer. The reader feels as if they have "traveled far," by the many "people, places and things" they visited while clicking on different links. But as Dr. Katz explained to our class, when a reader clicks on different links, it's actually those "people, places and things" links that travel to our computer. That is why it is critical for readers to watch the different links they click on so they don't open up an opportunity for viruses to attack their computer.

One of the main features that readers appreciate about hypertext is the convenience and how easily accessible it is. Many times readers need information fast and hypertext provides readers the medium to obtain it. This has become even more true these days as more and more restaurants and public places are becoming wireless. This enables readers to access hypertext more easily.

Print text is not as readily accessible or convenient. Of course, years ago before hypertext, readers would frequent libraries or utilize the encyclopedias that their parents bought for information they needed. When this was the only way to obtain information, the reader had nothing to compare it to. Now in the age of hypertext, obtaining information the old way (print text) is more cumbersome and time consuming. Years ago, when I did extensive Bible study research, I would have numerous large, heavy books on my table and on the floor next to me that were for additional research for the Bible study. Now I can access wonderful websites such as Biblegateway that has all the research material I need at just a click away.

One thing I would like to mention is, and maybe this is more of my issue, but I do not like to read long hypertext documents. It is tedious to read these kinds of documents on-line; I would rather print them off and read from a printed text. This is why I do not anticipate buying a Kindle. The idea of reading a book on-line does not appeal to me. I would rather read long texts from a book (and not from a computer screen) on a comfortable couch. I personally cannot handle long periods of time on the internet, which is probably why I don’t play on-line games! For me, I still like my printed text, especially if it is a long document.

Readers who spend long hours reading hypertext may suffer some related health issues. Readers' eyes can be effected after long periods of time viewing a computer screen. More and more people are obtaining glasses as a result of reading long hours on the internet. Also frequently using the computer mouse can cause carpal tunnel or muscles to be effected in the reader's arm and back. I know this from personal experience! After spending hours on my assignments for ENG 508 in front of my laptop, my back was hurting a lot. I went for a massage and my masseur asked if I "used a computer mouse." When I answered yes, she said she could tell. This was the reason for the pain in my arm, which led to my back. (Side note - this is why it is important to take breaks when you are working on the computer!)

Snyder [3] made some interesting observations about hypertext, as quoted by Montecino and Smith, entitled Notes on Hypertext:

"J. M. Slatin, an early hypertext theorist, identifies three types of readers within a hypertextual environment:
• the browser: the browser reads for pleasure, is unlikely to cover all material in a hypertext, and requires a 'tracking mechanism' to retrace his/her steps
• the user: the user searches for specific information & leaves the hypertext when s/he has located it: s/he has a clear purpose and abandons the text when s/he achieves it
• the co-author: co-authors become so absorbed in the hypertext that they are, "actively involved in the creation of an evolving hyperdocument."

Fowler [4] notes that there is no such thing as a passive reader of hypertext. "It is impossible to be a passive reader of hypertext. Even in the most restrictive of hypertexts, what Michael Joyce calls an 'exploratory hypertext' (Joyce, 1988), the reader must pick and choose her way from node to node, thus determining the "text" to be read."

Even if readers are browers, users, or co-authors, as Slatin noted, they have become more active than with print text. Hypertext readers have become reader-writers because of the many opportunities that hypertext offers. With print text, readers will always be just readers.

Print Text

In print text, the reader reads one continuous page, which leads into more pages. With hypertext, there is no such “page”; the reader can keep reading and reading by continuing to click on the different lexias. The journey can continue forever!

As I mentioned, I prefer reading long texts in print versus hypertext. Someone mentioned that sometimes print is more convenient than hypertext – such as reading while taking a bath. It would probably not be wise to bring your laptop anywhere close to water!

With print, it is evident who the author is because there is (generally) only one author. Plus there is no fear of the print text changing while the reader is reading it, as with hypertext. Changes to print text can occur every 10+ years if/when a book is updated or republished. Hypertext can be changing at the very time the reader is reading it!

Snyder [5] points out some very interesting observations with the reader in regards to print and hypertext.

"The Reader Redefined

Snyder outlines the cultural assumptions subsumed in the activity of reading:

• reading is sequential, continuous and generally linear
• readers begin at a clearly marked point defined by the author
• readers work sequentially through paragraphs and pages until the end of the document
• readers predict what is going to happen next in a text (part of the pleasure of reading)
• readers use their experience of reading other texts to predict what will happen next
• readers assume that the text will be printed on paper &, if a book, secured within covers and, most importantly, stay the same

Hypertext challenges these assumptions because:

• readers can choose a number of points at which to begin
• they proceed by following links which do not necessarily (or even probably) unfold in a linear structure
• they exit whenever and wherever they like"

There is more structure and uniform with print text. This experience with print text can give readers security in their reading and a level of comfort. Hypertext can bring such uncertainity that it can be unsettling for some readers. Others will enjoy that unsettling feeling because it gives them variety and a sense of suspense in their reading.

---

Works Cited

[1] Fowler, Robert M. "Hypertext." 20 March 2010. http://homepages.bw.edu/~rfowler/pubs/canon/Hypertext.html.

[2] Miall, David S. Department of English. Dept. home page. "Hypertext." Alberta U. February 1997. 8 May 2010 http://www.ualberta.ca/~dmiall/hypread.htm#interaction.

[3] Montecino, Virginia and Smith, Lesley. Department of College of Arts and Sciences. "Notes on Hypertext." George Mason U. 25 October 2002. 20 March 2010. http://classweb.gmu.edu/nclc348/f02/348snyder3.htm.

[4] Fowler, Robert M. "Hypertext." 20 March 2010. http://homepages.bw.edu/~rfowler/pubs/canon/Hypertext.html.

[5] Montecino, Virginia and Smith, Lesley. Department of College of Arts and Sciences. "Notes on Hypertext." George Mason U. 25 October 2002. 20 March 2010. http://classweb.gmu.edu/nclc348/f02/348snyder3.htm.

Return to Top of Page


Click to return to the Argumentative Hypertext page.

Click the mailbox to send me an email.
Tell me what you thought of my analysis.
Click the houseto return to my home page.