Designing Usable Texts covers the analysis of textual communication processes in the real world of publishing systems and work sites. The book presents topics on designing and understanding of written texts; authoring, editing, and the production process; and training authors of informative documents. The text also describes the policies and processes of editing; lessons in text design from an instructional design perspective; and graphics and design alternatives such as studying strategies and their implications for textbook design. The identification of information requirements such as understanding readers and their uses of texts, modeling users and their use of technical manuals, is also considered. Psychologists and people involved in communication design, document design, information mapping, and educational technology will find the book invaluable.

Contributors Preface Part I Introduction 1. On the Designing and Understanding of Written Texts Introduction Constructing and Using Texts A Model of Comprehension Text Structures and the Contexts of Comprehension Explicit Texts and Context-Dependent Texts Optimal Design of Texts Design versus Theory References Part II Authoring, Editing, and The Production Process 2. The Author: Help or Stumbling Block on the Road to Designing Usable Texts Introduction What Is Usable Text Producing Usable Text: Five Propositions The Author: Help or Hindrance References 3. Training Authors of Informative Documents Introduction Who Are the Authors What Are the Writing Capabilities of These Authors How Does the Job Setting Influence What and How These Authors Write What Do We Know About Training Writers What Research Is Needed References 4. Editing: Policies and Processes Introduction: Why Bother With Editing Editorial Policy and Usable Texts Editorial Policies as House Rules Some Preliminary Studies of Editing Processes Concluding Comments on Editing Processes and Policies References 5. Intuitions, Algorithms, and a Science of Text Design The Increasing Complexity of Communications Need for a Multidisciplinary Approach to Text Design Computer-Aided Format Design Computer-Aided Language Analysis Summary and Implications References 6. Readability Formulas: What's the Use Introduction Military Texts Readability and Prediction Readability and Production Alternatives to Existing Readability Formulas References 7. Lessons in Text Design from an Instructional Perspective Introduction Preconditions for the Design of Usable Text Contributions of Learning Research to Text Design Managing a Text Design Process Conclusion References Part III Graphics and Design Alternatives 8. Studying Strategies and Their Implications for Textbook Design Introduction Important Dimensions of Studying An Analysis of Textbooks Structure Coherence Unity Audience Appropriateness Conclusion References 9. Results with Structured Writing Using the Information Mapping Writing® Service Standards Table of Contents History and Goals Basic Types of Maps Structured Writing Principles of Structured Writing Standards: Their Goals and Use Research on Components of Structured Writing Results of Recent Research Conclusion References 10. Design Strategies for Job Performance Aids Introduction Definition and Characteristics Job Performance Aid Development Design Strategies and Formats Research on Job Performance Aids Summary and Conclusions References 11. Using Pictorial Language: A Discussion of the Dimensions of the Problem Introduction What Is a Picture What Are Pictures for Description and Narration Generality versus Particularity Observation-Based and Concept-Based Images Synoptic Images and Images Composed of Discrete Elements Configuration Conventions of Drawing Style Verisimilitude Berlin's Graphic Variables The Dimension of Time Repeatability and Transmission Cross-Cultural Problems Learning to Make and "Read" Pictures Feedback and Evaluation Credibility of Pictures References Part IV Identifying Information Requirements 12. Understanding Readers and Their Uses of Text Introduction Plan for This Chapter The Text Producer as "An Audience of One" Understanding the Ability of the Reader to "Receive and Decode the Message" Concepts of Adult Marginal Literates as Learners Summary References 13. Modeling Users and Their Use of Technical Manuals Introduction Research on Comprehensibility and Usability of Military Manuals The Content Perspective: Modeling Users' Task Performance The Readability Perspective: Modeling Users' Reading Comprehension Skills Summary Critique: Content and Readability Perspective Research on Use of Information Sources at the Job Site Modeling Performance at the Work Site Analyses of Observational Data Modeling Factors Affecting Performance at the Work Site Modeling Information Processing during Task Performance Summary: Modeling Performance at the Work Site Implications of Research for an Improved Technology References 14. Testing Design Alternatives: A Comparison of Procedures Introduction The Impact of Research on Document Design Procedures for Evaluating Document Design A Methodological Comparison of Two Macro-Eye-Movement Procedures Summary References Author Index Subject Index