How can hypertext be organized?

Writing Effectively Online: How to Compose Hypertext

How can hypertext documents be organized?

Organizing by Hierarchy
Organizing by Web
Organizing by Sequence
Organizing by Grid
Choosing the Best Organizational Strategy
Creating Meaningful Metaphors

Organization concerns how information is divided into separate topics, and determines the order in which they are presented and the connections among them. As William Horton (1994) states, "For paper documents, organization determines where information goes; for online documents, it determines when it appears as well" (p. 159).

The organizational strategies suggested below offer ways to make a hypertext's organization apparent. Not any one of these strategies is best for all possible applications. However, by considering the audience and purpose of the hypertext, you can choose the proper strategy.

Standard organizational strategies

Horton (1994) recommends the following strategies for organizing hypertext documents (pp. 160-175). Combinations of these structures can also work well online.

Organizing by hierarchy

Readers feel comfortable with this strategy because many print texts are organized in this manner.

Organizing by Web

Web structures range from a pure Web (in which every topic is linked to every other topic) to a partial Web (in which only a subset of possible connections are made).

Organizing by sequence

A sequential organization suggests a linear-based structure, in which topics are presented in a prescribed order.

Organizing by grid

The grid structure is ideal for topic-based documents when each topic has the same subtopics.

Less common organizational strategies

Organizing by metaphor

When used appropriately, metaphors can make hypertexts easier to learn and navigate.

Organizing by task

Technical documentation is ideal for this structure. Documents can be organized based on how a user plans to use a product.

Mirroring the organization of the subject

This strategy suggests a topic-based structure in which a subject is broken down into logical categories.

Organizing as a print document

For lengthy documents, this strategy most often results in a hierarchical structure with parts divided into chapters and chapters divided into sections and subsections.

Mapping general questions to specific answers

This paper is organized using the strategy of asking and answering questions in combination with a cross-referenced hierarchy.

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Last Updated: May 2, 2001

(c)2000 by Alysson Troffer. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce or redistribute any material from this document, in whole or in part, without written permission.


			Writing Effectively Online: How to Compose Hypertext
			Writing Effectively Online: How to Compose Hypertext

	How can hypertext documents be organized? Organizing by Hierarchy Organizing by Web Organizing by Sequence Organizing by Grid Choosing the Best Organizational Strategy Creating Meaningful Metaphors
	Organization concerns how information is divided into separate topics, and determines the order in which they are presented and the connections among them. As William Horton (1994) states, "For paper documents, organization determines where information goes; for online documents, it determines when it appears as well" (p. 159). The organizational strategies suggested below offer ways to make a hypertext's organization apparent. Not any one of these strategies is best for all possible applications. However, by considering the audience and purpose of the hypertext, you can choose the proper strategy. Standard organizational strategies Horton (1994) recommends the following strategies for organizing hypertext documents (pp. 160-175). Combinations of these structures can also work well online. Organizing by hierarchy Readers feel comfortable with this strategy because many print texts are organized in this manner. Organizing by Web Web structures range from a pure Web (in which every topic is linked to every other topic) to a partial Web (in which only a subset of possible connections are made). Organizing by sequence A sequential organization suggests a linear-based structure, in which topics are presented in a prescribed order. Organizing by grid The grid structure is ideal for topic-based documents when each topic has the same subtopics. Less common organizational strategies Organizing by metaphor When used appropriately, metaphors can make hypertexts easier to learn and navigate. Organizing by task Technical documentation is ideal for this structure. Documents can be organized based on how a user plans to use a product. Mirroring the organization of the subject This strategy suggests a topic-based structure in which a subject is broken down into logical categories. Organizing as a print document For lengthy documents, this strategy most often results in a hierarchical structure with parts divided into chapters and chapters divided into sections and subsections. Mapping general questions to specific answers This paper is organized using the strategy of asking and answering questions in combination with a cross-referenced hierarchy.
	[Brief TOC] [Expanded TOC] [Printer-Friendly Version] [Webfolio] [Next]: Organizing by Hierarchy Comments? Please email me! Last Updated: May 2, 2001 (c)2000 by Alysson Troffer. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce or redistribute any material from this document, in whole or in part, without written permission.