Aligning Theme and Information Structure to Improve the Readability of Technical Writing

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 2006

Aligning Theme and Information Structure to Improve the Readability of Technical Writing

N. A. J. Moore

Abstract

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.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 2006-01-01
DOI: 10.2190/37dd-kk2v-0bk5-31em
Open Access: Closed
Topics: technical communication

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

Cites in this index (0)

No references match articles in this index.

Also cites 6 works outside this index ↓

10.1017/S0022226700012949

↗
10.1075/z.59

↗
10.1075/cilt.118.10fri

↗
10.1515/9783111676524.106

↗
10.1075/ddcs.4

↗
10.1016/0889-4906(89)90004-5

↗

CrossRef global citation count: 5 View in citation network →