THE WEB ESSAY: EXPLORING ARGUMENTS

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Stuart Moulthrop's essay "Shadow of an Informand: An Experiment in Hypertext Rhetoric" clearly tries to break with the traditional linearity of print texts by producing a "truly multi-linear hypertext where the writer explores with equal discursive value the ambiguities and alternative hypotheses that derive from her research" (*). Having read through Moulthrop's essay a few times, I think that "multilinear" aptly describes his text. The same screen may come up at various points, however, it often appears to be making a different point or comment when viewed in a new context. I enjoyed rereading more, because with each pass through, I felt that I got a richer sense of Moulthrop's arguments.

Despite its multi-linearity, however, Moulthrop's essay does not feel so different than a more traditional linear print text. After each reading, and certainly after my collective readings, I had a fairly strong sense of Moulthrop's arguments. After all, even though they're "multi," they're still linear.

I think my sense of familiarity has something to do with Moulthrop's "MORE" button. I could ignore the links and simply opt for "more." Is MORE the master argument in the text?



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