Discusses conceptual differences between electronic and printed texts using a literature review that categorizes studies as convergent (i.e., electronic text as conceptually the same as printed text) or divergent (i.e., electronic text as conceptually different.) Four differences based on theoretical positions and findings from divergent studies…

Functional relations underlying map-passage learning were studied through the effects of structural hierarchy on recall for 80 undergraduates. Recall for passage content was greatest when content was at the top of the map and passage structures. Implications for instruction are discussed. (SLD)

Describes how creative mapping (a pictorial version of semantic mapping) helps students organize or recognize organization in expository texts. (SR)

Discusses deadline writing: preparation, researching background material, working within time constraints, and story structure. (SR)

Investigates how structural variables influence readers' construction of meaning. Finds that textual variables operate differently depending on the extent of the readers' background knowledge and linguistic competence. Shows that variable such as exposure to reading materials (in both first and second languages), background knowledge, and…

Examines effects of text structure on reading process and recall performance by monitoring the subjects' eye movements as they read coherently and incoherently structured texts. Finds that structurally incoherent texts are given more visual attention than coherent ones and lead to inferior recall. Finds no clear-cut correspondence between eye…

Explores the relationship between linguistic and conceptual structuring of narratives, focusing on linguistic devices used by German and U.S. narrators to identify transitions in text structure. Identifies and outlines two types of narrative orientation: differentiating events and integrating events. (SR)

Discusses the typical form and content of 40 theoretical scientific papers chosen from the most-cited papers in the "Science Citation Index." Demonstrates that the form of these papers is similar to that of experimental and methods papers but that the content differs substantially. (HB)

Quantifies specific elements of technical writing style in five award winning technical manuals where combined averages for the style elements are calculated. Compares these results to common criteria of good technical writing. Claims that wide variations among these manuals show that defining "good" technical writing is difficult. (HB)

Describes the emerging subject in computer technology known as hypertext by employing the metaphor of a bazaar. Claims that hypertext as a mode of communication has distinct features that will prove fruitful for future users. Discusses the importance of narrative chronology in relation to hypertext. (HB)

Explores issues related to quality in document design. Gives an overview of the quality movement, discusses alternative definitions of quality, analyzes dominant approaches to measuring quality, presents results of a survey showing that consumers value quality in document design, offers examples showing that it is cost effective, and appends an…

Cites the lack of authenticity in intertextuality (ITX) research and argues that collaborative learning environments offer a better research setting. One particular research context, literature circles, is examined to identify characteristics of generative research environments for the study of ITX. (Contains 27 references.) (JP)

Reports on the development of a prototype computerized abstractor's assistant called TEXNET, a text network management system. Features of the system discussed include semantic dependency links; displays of text structure; basic text editing; extracting; weighting methods; and listings of frequent words. (Contains 25 references.) (LRW)

Explains the Resource Description Framework (RDF), an infrastructure developed under the World Wide Web Consortium that enables the encoding, exchange, and reuse of structured metadata. It is an application of Extended Markup Language (XML), which is a subset of Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), and helps with expressing semantics.…

Indicates a facilitation in undergraduate students' reading time for congruent text marking for both cohesion and textual structure that manifested itself at different points in the sentence. Suggests that readers are highly sensitive to coherence marking devices, and strictly local coherence models cannot completely account for what readers are…