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Writing Support Tools

By far the most widespread current use of computers is the creation and editing of text, by means of ever more complex word processing packages. In our research, we are looking at a number of ways of producing more effective writing environments, firstly by designing systems which correspond to a model of the cognitive processes involved in composition, secondly by incorporating intelligent tools to assist writers and thirdly by creating specialised environments for writers such as students and technical authors. We currently have one project in this area: COMPOSER. In this project, our goal is to design, implement and evaluate a computer-based support tool for non-native speakers who have to write academic papers in English. The writing environment will provide `intelligent' modules for guiding and critiquing students' composition at the levels of text organisation, discourse, syntax and the lexicon. The project is based on an existing writing environment which offers multiple views of a document's organisation, including linear, outline and hypertext-style views. This is a two-year, joint initiative with the University's Language Centre.

For further information, please contact Tony Hartley (+44 1273 642900) - see our contact page for full contact details.


Maintained by Roger Evans (Roger.Evans@itri.brighton.ac.uk).
Last updated 15 October 1996

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