ERIC Number: EJ916044
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0047-2816
EISSN: N/A
Aligning Theme and Information Structure to Improve the Readability of Technical Writing
Moore, N. A. J.
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, v36 n1 p43-55 2006
The readability of technical writing, and technical manuals in particular, especially for second language readers, can be noticeably improved by pairing Theme with Given and Rheme with New. This allows for faster processing of text and easier access to the "method of development" of the text. Typical Theme-Rheme patterns are described, and the notion of the "point of a text" is introduced. These concepts are applied to technical writing and the reader is then invited to evaluate the improvements in readability in a small sample of texts.
Descriptors: Technical Writing, Readability, Guides, Second Language Learning, Writing Strategies, Writing Processes, Usability, Content Analysis, Text Structure
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A