One of the central problems in the study of fictional prose is that of distinguishing between mere linguistic regularity, which in itself is of no interest to literary studies, and regularity which is significant for the text in which it is found. General criteria for determining whether any particular instance of linguistic prominence is likely…

Describes how letter writing, especially business letters, was influenced by Greek and Roman oral rhetoricians. Discusses three precepts of oral rhetoric--inventio, dispositio, and style--and notes that the classical theories' reflection in written communication can be seen in selected Italian, German, and English epistolographic works. (MM)

No one has ever been able to look into the language space, nor has anyone been able to measure the phenomenon of consciousness without the interference of an observer. This article changes the situation, showing that from now on it is possible to produce measures of consciousness without the presence of classical observation devices. The…

This paper is a direct continuation of the experimental evaluation of the basic space-hypothesis explored in Real Time Imaging of the Rotation Mechanism Producing Interview-based Language Spaces. This project has required that different pars, the spaces of the A- and O-domains, be related and contrasted. In this paper the focus is on the…

A method for providing a synthesis of the perspective that a text producer gives to a text in the moment of its production is presented in the form of a dialogue between reader and author. Perspective Text Analysis, the system presented, is a basic methodological part of a larger system of analyses. Linguistic data in the form of free text…

Describes the identifying chain manifested in different types of Arabic texts, demonstrates the ways a chain is formulated, and highlights the functions performed by such chains. Findings indicate that chains are unifying relations that create texture and structure within texts. (12 references) (Author/CK)

Presents and explains a model for an executive summary which presents correct written information to a business decision maker in an appropriate, readable, useful form. (SR)

Studied text interpretation in four experiments with second and fourth graders, manipulating several story variables. Found that both groups were skilled at providing two text interpretations, although second graders were more likely than fourth graders to use extra-story information in their second interpretations. Subjects' first interpretations…

Describes a study of college students that examined the instructional effectiveness of four text design strategies based on prescriptions derived from different perspectives: the Generic text approach, the Behaviorist-based approach, the Cognitivist-based approach, and the SOI (Structure of Intellect) Constructivist-based approach, on the…

Argues that Hypertext (which exists and can only exist online) is very different from more traditional forms of text and represents a new medium for thought and expression. Discusses the new practice and new rhetoric of Hypertext. (RS)

Argues that the rhetoric of text design is shaped by contextual variables, such as the purpose of the communication, the proximity of visual cues within the document, and the reader's familiarity with visual conventions. Concludes that technical communicators need to consider these factors as they begin using the wide range of visual elements…

Explores the impact of an author supplied analogy on students' comprehension of a high school biology text passage. Finds that, on a short essay measure, there was no significant difference in comprehension between those students who read a passage including the analogy and those whose passage did not include the analogy. (RS)

Investigates recursion in the paragraph, discussing it in the context of grammatical hierarchy and illustrating it by use of natural texts. Analyzes two short narrative texts at the paragraph and discourse levels, and presents both in tree diagram and function-set representations. (KEH)

Examines children's awareness of influence of stories by discussing part of data from a two-year study that investigated the question: How is the reading and writing of children aged 6-12 years affected by previous textual experiences? Reports responses of grade 6 students who were asked whether they think of stories they have read when writing…

Discussion of natural language processing components of information retrieval systems focuses on a full-text system called TOPIC (Text-Oriented Procedures for Information Management and Condensation of Expository Texts) that is based on text parsing. Highlights include design rationales for semantic parsing; text coherence; and a semantic model of…