Appendix G: Information Structures
The main parts of this course guide focus on applications--ways technical
writing
skills are applied in the real world. However, these applications use varying
combinations of information structures. An information structure is a type of
information content (such as descriptive writing), a way of organizing
information (such as a comparison or classification), or both.
The information structures reviewed in this appendix are the ones commonly used
in technical writing. Of course, there are other structures--maybe some that
scholars of technical writing have not yet pinned a label on, but these are the most
common and the most readily visible. And of course some of these structures blend
together. The main thing is that by knowing these, you have the intellectual tools for
quickly organizing and structuring just about any writing project.
Description
Definition
Process Discussion
Causal Discussion
Classification
Comparisons
Return to the table of contents for the TCM1603 Course Guide
(the online textbook for Austin Community College's online
technical writing course).
This information is owned and maintained by David A. McMurrey. For
information on use, customization, or copies, e-mail
davidm@austin.cc.tx.us or call (512) 476-4949.