Title :
Information structuring: Relating old and new knowledge
Author :
Dunkle, Susan B. ; Jackson, Purvis M.
Author_Institution :
Carnegie Institute of Technology, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Abstract :
By carefully applying the principle of information structuring, writers can explain difficult concepts to nonspecialist readers. Information structuring refers to the way pieces of information are related to allow readers to gain a clear understanding of the new knowledge that the writer is trying to explain. This structure allows writers to explain new ideas and concepts by comparing them to knowledge that readers already understand. To illustrate this principle the paper discusses the use of analogy in technical explanation and the use of repetition to emphasize key concepts.
Keywords :
Airplanes; Atmospheric modeling; Atmospheric waves; Iron; Terrestrial atmosphere; Writing;
Journal_Title :
Professional Communication, IEEE Transactions on
DOI :
10.1109/TPC.1982.6447797