More than One Answer: Lessons from a Barometer

Avoiding Single Answer Tunnel Vision

A science teacher had this question on a test: "How would you use a barometer to find the height of a building?"

The correct answer involved calculation of air pressure at the base of the building compared to that on the roof. One student gave that answer along with nearly 20 others. Some of these included classics such as:

"Tie a string on the barometer, lower it from the top of the building and measure the string."

"Roll the barometer up the side of the building and count the number of revolutions and multiply by the circumference of the barometer."

"Drop the barometer from the top of the building and measure how long it takes to fall to the ground."

"Smash the barometer at the base of the building and count how many seconds it takes for the sound to reach the top of the building."

"Mark off degrees on the edge of the barometer, attach  a straw to the center of the barometer and sight the top of the building. Use basic trigonometry to figure out the height of the building."

My personal favorite is, "Find someone who knows the height of the building and say, 'I'll give you this neat barometer if you tell me the height of the building.'"

Sometimes when faced with a writing problem we think there is only one solution, but as with our creative science student, we may find a number of solutions. For instance, let's say you are having trouble coming up with the lead for a magazine article about keeping children safe when online. Instead of trying to come up with the one perfect introduction, write five in five different styles. Write one that begins with a story, one that begins with a quote, one that begins with a question, one that begins with a statistic and one that begins by setting the scene. Or, if you have written a story where your hero is faced with a moral choice, make a list of all the actions s/he might take including the ridiculous ones. Choose the one that advances the plot of the story while being true to the personality of the character.