The author provides an overview of the application of cartoons in technical information. The theory of cartoons is tied to a rhetorical view of communication in that cartoons are deliberate deformations of realities. In addition to this rhetorical basis, the cartoon also depends on cultural biases and the recognition of certain iconic types to be useful communication elements. Based on a discussion of this theoretical and historical background, several guidelines for the use of cartoons in technical information are offered.

The author argues that online information must focus on traditional reader expectations in the creation of layout features for specific tasks. Typical screen limitations must also be considered in terms of the limits they impose on typical user interactions and navigation techniques. To address both these issues, screen geometries must be applied to functional designs. In addition, information developers need to consider the educational value in the computer's novel capabilities, such as sound, motion, and time.