C1_Structure of Information in Written Texts

Structure of information in written texts

Structure of information in written textsCoherencePatterns of information structuringCohesion and coherenceCohesion is a necessary condition for creating text, though it is not sufficient. Cohesion expresses the continuity, the links that exist between parts of discourse. Coherence works on the information level of a text and involves: topic and topic developmentinformation structurereadability of texts

Topic sentence levelAt the basic sentential level, a distinction can be made between topic and comment;Topic = grammatical subject +/- other elementsComment = predicatione.g.Robot hands // have been employed for motion control and assembling parts. Sentence topic exampleComputational reflection // is a well-known technique applied in many existing programming languages.

The problems that may be tackled by using reflection // span a wide spectrum. Topic in paragraphsTopic sentence (name+controlling idea)Supporting sentencesConcluding sentencesTopic in paragraphs/Historically, the deep circulation of the ocean has been viewed from the perspective of property fields, mainly the distributions of temperature, salinity, density, and dissolved-oxygen concentration. The practical reason for not considering velocity measurements as well, of course, was a technical incapacity for making them until very recently. /On the whole, this was probably not a bad thing: not merely because the property distributions are as interesting in themselves as the motion field, but also because the scalar fields are so much more stable than the velocity vectors-allowing spot measurements from different areas even years apart to be combined into coherent pictures/ that tell a good deal about general patterns of deep flow, albeit indirectly.Topic and topic sentenceSupporting statementConcluding remarkTopic development and information structureThe way topic develops on the level of paragraphs or texts determines the structure of information provided by the text.Topic development = a subject introduction, development, completion;Topic shift = a break in the discourse to introduce another subject.Coherent or not?Patterns of information structuringTypical patterns in science discourse:Given/known newGeneral specificProblem solution Known new informationTypically new information follows already known information;Known information can be Something the speaker/writer and listener/reader share because it has been mention in their conversation;Something that is/presupposed to be general/common knowledge;Something that is assumed as common knowledge in their field of work/professional field.Known-new informationNew information is usually:The predication about the subject in a sentence;Added data/items of information;Information introduced for the first time in the conversation;Novel interpretation of known data;Personal interpretation of data/situation etc.

11Known or new?

12Known or new?

13General specific In this type of text, information moves from general to more specific:

General statementSpecific detailsBroader statementgeneralization14GS texts: definitionsGS pattern: class - - - particularities - - -specific item

Sustainability is the endurance of systems and processes. The organizing principle for sustainability is sustainable development, which includes the four interconnected domains: ecology, economics, politics and culture.

(wikipedia)15Problem-solution Information organization seen rather as steps required to provide a solution;PS texts are more argumentative and evaluative;PS texts contain several obligatory steps and some optional;Steps develop in a linear or cyclical structure;Steps are often lexically signalled.16Problem - solutionLinearCyclicalSituation

Problem

Solution

Evaluation17SPRESituation gives the necessary background information;Problem describes the nature of an issue that requires attention/solution;Response/solution provides the necessary information to solve/deal with the problem identified;Evaluation provides an assessment of the response; it is often an optional step18Example 1[situation] Mechatronics is a discipline that combines elements from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science.[problem] Given its cross disciplinary nature, it is typically reserved for graduate or upper-level undergraduate courses.[solution] This trend may be beginning to change as schools introduce mechatronics centered curricula. [problem] However, it is generally believed that beginning engineering students are usually too inexperienced to handle mechatronics concepts. [solution] While this may be true for advanced mechatronics, the basic elements of the topic can easily be grasped by undergraduate students and even high school students.19Example 2The use of laminated composites in engineered products has seen a rapid rise in recent years. Companies dealing with projects involving laminated composites have a difficult time trying to efficiently manage the large amount of knowledge throughout the product life cycle. There is usually some loss of clarity about the information in the design-to-manufacturing process flow as the cycle advances . This is especially true in the case of automobile and aerospace industries where laminated composites are heavily used. For example, consider the construction of Boeings Dreamliner. It includes thousands of parts and involves designing laminated composite structures for which the design engineers spend days trying to evaluate the right choice of material combinations. However, in reality, design, analysis and manufacturing engineers do not work together constantly. Instead, they often tend to recede from the big picture and focus on their own domains, often leading to conflicts of interest. Thus, the large amount of knowledge coupled with a serial product development process usually causes multiple design iterations, excessive design reviews, large lead times and high costs. Since the design and manufacturing of laminated composites are highly knowledge intensive activities, efficient mechanisms for capturing, reusing, and sharing the wealth of knowledge involved are sorely needed.20Example 2 information structureWhat is the topic of this fragment?What is problem 1?What is the cause of P1?What example of real-life problem is given?How is problem 1 usually solved?Why this doesnt work? P2What is P2?What is the cause of P2?What are the components of P2/negative outcomes ?What is the solution of P2?Example 2 information structureDraw an information map of the text in Example 2 based on the answers to the previous questions.Example 2 SPRE patternsituation:

The use of laminated composites in engineered products has seen a rapid rise in recent years.23Example 2 SPRE patternProblem 1:

Solution 1: Companies dealing with projects involving laminated composites have a difficult time trying to efficiently manage the large amount of knowledge throughout the product life cycle. There is usually some loss of clarity about the information in the design-to-manufacturing process flow as the cycle advances . This is especially true in the case of automobile and aerospace industries where laminated composites are heavily used. For example, consider the construction of Boeings Dreamliner. involves designing laminated composite structures for which the design engineers spend days trying to evaluate the right choice of material combinations. 24Example 2 SPRE patternProblem 2:

Solution 2:

Evaluation?However, in reality, design, analysis and manufacturing engineers do not work together constantly. Instead, they often tend to recede from the big picture and focus on their own domains, often leading to conflicts of interest. Thus, the large amount of knowledge coupled with a serial product development process usually causes multiple design iterations, excessive design reviews, large lead times and high costs. Since the design and manufacturing of laminated composites are highly knowledge intensive activities, efficient mechanisms for capturing, reusing, and sharing the wealth of knowledge involved are sorely needed.25T/F Quizz Coherence refers to the information development in a text.In GS texts, the hourglass structure represents the movement from general information to particular details.The PS pattern is a linear two-step development of information.T/FT/FT/F