Writing to be understood: why use sentences?
Written information does not have to be flowing prose. Recent studies have shown that abandoning the prose format for alternatives such as logical trees and tabulated presentations can often improve comprehension. From our present knowledge, it seems unlikely that any one style will be universally optimal. Written information is used for many different purposes and in a wide variety of circumstances. This paper discusses some of the factors which need to be taken into account when selecting a particular way of writing to be understood.
Wright
P
P
Medical Research Council, Applied Psychology Unit, Cambridge.