Phenomenology Of Error

The Phenomenology of error written by William’s brings to light the problems of error. Williams wrote this in an effort to inform editors, teachers, and students on how pieces and writing can be looked at in terms of error. The differences between social and linguistic error is mentioned. Social errors offend people and often result in an apology, while linguistic errors do not require an apology. It can be difficult to compose a standard way of defining errors. Williams points out the issues with individuals definitions of error. Different people define error in different ways resulting in variation among readers. It can be hard for everyone to agree on how to identity error. Everyone has a different emotional response to errors. We also experience violations in different ways. Some people may point out more errors, for the sake of doing so, because they are purposely searching for errors. In contrast some people may overlook several errors. Williams indicts those very individuals who violate their own rules. Williams gives several examples of writers violating the very rules they created. Williams is upset that everyone has overlooked these errors after several years of usage. Often times we have a pre-reflexive experience of error and look at all pieces of writing the same way, looking for the same types of errors. Williams gives the example of a teacher grading papers expecting and searching for the same errors paper after paper. Williams wants to emphasize the errors seen the first time a piece of work is reviewed. Williams is upset when that same piece is constantly reviewed and marked with error only for the sake of doing so.