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RECHERCHES EMPIRIQUES
EMPIRICAL RESEARCH PAPER
TRAITEMENT DE TEXTE
ET STRATEGIES REDACTIONNELLES
par A. piolat, N. isnard et V. DELLA VALLE *
SUMMARY
Word processing and writing strategies.
The objective of this experimental observation is to show how the use of a standard
word processor changes the writing strategies devised by advanced users during the produc-
tion of short texts.
Empirical research has indicated that word processors, in fact, have a negative impact
on writing strategies. Analysis of the conditions under which "man-machine " dialogue
takes place has shown that screen size and linear management both have an effect on writing.
Before determining the ways in which a word processor can disrupt common writing
practices, we must gain a better understanding of how a text is actually composed in real
time, with or without a computer. Although the various writing processes have been clearly
identified, the functional scenario describing the succession of writing phases and accom-
pagnying activities is still poorly defined.
The marks produced by writers on paper, whether linguistic (words, sentence fragments,
sentences) or non-linguistic (arrows, underlining, indexation, diagrams, etc.), reflect the
planning, translating, and revising processes being carried out by the writer. Sharples and
Pemberton (1990) describe the exact functions of these marks in the elaboration of the
ideas to be translated into text form (levels of organization). However, more knowledge
about their frequency of use at the different stages of text composition is required. This
is one of the goals of the present experimental observation.
For the most part, such marks cannot be displayed and manipulated on the screen
of a standard word processor as they can on paper. It is therefore crucial that we observe
the means employed by writers to adapt their use of these necessary devices to word pro-
cessing.
The main results indicate that writers who use a word processor still resort to "pencil
and paper " for the initial planning. The small amount of text preparation done by com-
puter users (manifested by chronological and hierarchical organization marks) compared
to writers who produce without a word processor is compensated by extensive revision
on the screen. However, while writing strategies are highly dependent on production condi-
tions, the quality of the texts produced does not vary significantly.
The possibility of eliminating one of the important drawbacks of computer-assisted
writing i. e. the fact that the information must be displayed linearly on the screen, is cur-
rently being studied by designers of planning aids that accompagny word processors. Before
such aids can actually be developed, however, more knowledge is needed of the phases
of writing and the marks used by writers throughout the production process.
Key words: Planning, Strategy, Word processing, Writing.
'' Centre de Recherche PsyCLE, Universite de Provence, 29, avenue
Schuman, 13621 Aix-en-Provence, Cedex.
Le Travail humain, tome 56, n° 1/1993, 79-99