Branching paragraph direction problem
From WhyNotWiki
This problem occurs when you start with a sentence ("A") and then are able to and want to go two directions with it. But since paragraphs are linear, you can only go "forward" so you have to choose one direction and go that way.
This is a problem because, although A may transition well into B and C, it may not be the case that if you decide to go A-B that B will transition nicely into C.
What we really want to do is transition from A in two different directions: B and C. But that simply isn't possible with our current linear sentence/paragraph structure.
Solution: borrow some syntax ideas from computer languages? use 2 columns to extend English into 2 dimensions instead of just 1?
[edit] Example 1
A = What the intent of the 1st Amendment was not.
B = Despite A, how judges today are acting as if it were.
C = In contrast to A, what the intent of the 1st Amendment was.
A transitions great from A to B or to C (A-B or A-C). But A-B-C doesn't flow so well.
A-B:
The intent of the 1st Amendment was not to get rid of religion from society and from schools. Yet judges today are trying to purge any reference of God and religion from government, schools, etc. (the pledge of allegiance, etc.).
It was to prevent the federal government from preferring one religion over another.
The original 13 states each had a state religion. New York was Dutch Reformed, etc. And they basically discriminated against/kicked out those who weren't of those religions.
A-C:
The intent of the 1st Amendment was not to get rid of religion from society and from schools. It was to prevent the federal government from preferring one religion over another.
Yet judges today are trying to purge any reference of God and religion from government, schools, etc. (the pledge of allegiance, etc.).
The original 13 states each had a state religion. New York was Dutch Reformed, etc. And they basically discriminated against/kicked out those who weren't of those religions.
Compromise:
The intent of the 1st Amendment was not to get rid of religion from society and from schools. Yet judges today are trying to purge any reference of God and religion from government, schools, etc. (the pledge of allegiance, etc.).
What was the intent of the 1st Amendment then? It was to prevent the federal government from preferring one religion over another.
The original 13 states each had a state religion. New York was Dutch Reformed, etc. And they basically discriminated against/kicked out those who weren't of those religions.
