This presentation compares and contrasts traditional paragraph writing with structured writing aka Information Mapping.

1. PRINCIPLES OF
COMPOSITION:
STRUCTURED VS.
UNSTRUCTURED WRITING
Presenter: Swapnali Saikia

2. About this session
This session gives a brief introduction about how to
develop modular technical content. After completing this
session, you should be able to:
Compare and contrast structured and unstructured
writing
List the benefits of structured writing
Explain the principles of composition of structured
writing

3. Structured vs. unstructured
writing

4. What is structured writing?
 “Structured writing is the process of creating
and systematically organizing independent
units of information so they are easily
accessible, manageable and reusable.”

5. Differences and similarities
Structured
Block is the unit of
composition.
A block should have only
one purpose or function.
Topic sentences are
absent or irrelevant.
Unstructured
Paragraph is the unit of
composition.
A paragraph should have
only one thought.
A paragraph has a topic
sentence that comes at or
near the beginning.

6. Differences and similarities (2)
Structured
There is no "transitional"
phrase in the information
block.
Each block is labeled.
A block contains 3-5
sentences – can have up
to 9 sentences.
Unstructured
Paragraphs often require
a transition phrase.
 Each paragraph is not
necessarily labeled.
A traditional paragraph
does not have a
recommended number of
sentences.

7. Differences and similarities (3)
Structured
A block may contain a
bullet list, diagram, or
table about a specific
topic.
7 + or - 2 relevant blocks
create a map.
Unstructured
A paragraphs does not
have such requirements.
No such
recommendation for
paragraphs.

8. Example (before)

9. Example (after)

10. Benefits of structured writing
 Users/learners can significantly reduce the
time required to find information or learn a skill
as specific information is easy to find.
 Content developers can save time in
developing the content. Also, they can easily
spot missing data during the development
phase.

11. Principles of structured writing
 The Chunking Principle
 The Relevance Principle
 The Labeling Principle
 The Consistency Principle
 The Integrated Graphics Principle

12. Six information types
 Procedure
 Process
 Principle
 Concept
 Structure
 Fact

13. References
 Principles of structured writing
http://www.informationmapping.com/demo/?page=did_u_know
 Before and after example
http://www.informationmapping.com/en/information-mapping/information-
mapping/examples
 Elementary principles of composition (Elements of
Style, William Strunk)
http://www.bartleby.com/141/strunk5.html