Chapter 6

Nonlinear Components

-Nonlinear designs are those that differ significantly from the line-by-line layout of paragraphs.

1. Nonlinear design allows readers to more easily find information than a continuous text allows
2. The relations among the textual elements call for a schematic rather than a line by line expression

-Nonlinear designs often include:

• tables
• flowcharts
• organizational charts
• decision trees
• concept charts

*Nonlinear reveals information, rather than writing out an explanation of the information

Vocabulary of Nonlinear Components

• Textual elements: text is divided into fragments and distributed across the field. Lines, arrows or boxes often connect the text. Usually simple text and font are used, and then enhanced by the surrounding space.
• Spatial elements: strings, matrices, and branching displays are the three spacial systems that nonlinear uses.

-strings create statements through one-directional tracks of text units, arranged vertically or horizontally

-matrix organizes text both vertically and horizontally at the same time

-branching displays structure text into hierarchical layers

*these 3 spacial systems provide the building blocks for a variety of conventional genres that are used in nonlinear design (listed above)

• Graphic elements: are used as framing devices, further isolating text into discrete units