Re: What is Information Mapping

[Michael Fraase <mfraase -at- FARCES -dot- COM>]

> I need to know what Information Mapping is?  (I probably should as a
> tech communicator-but don't.)  And how you'd use it at work, while
> writing or whatever?

> Thanks.

> Laura Praderio
> Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
> lpraderio -at- whoi -dot- edu

Information Mapping is a concept and method of structured writing developed
by Robert Horn. "Information blocks" replace paragraphs as basic writing
units and an "information map" provides a general overview of the material.

It's based on information chunking and George Miller's short-term memory work
(the number of chunks you can hold in short-term memory is 7 plus or minus 2).

An information block is a *single* chunk containing up to seven sentences--or
a graphic or table--identified with a label. An information map is a
collection of between 2 and 9 information blocks, usually occupying a two-
page spread in a document.

My experience in reading Horn's work and trying to implement the concepts is
that I always end up feeling like something is missing. It all looks very
neat and tidy, and it *looks* like it's well presented, but it just doesn't
work for me. Some information just can't be intelligently broken down into 7
or less chunks.

By no means am I an expert, and Horn's organization runs (very expensive)
seminars throughout North America. You can contact his organization directly
for more information:

The Lexington Institute
80 Marett Road
Lexington, MA 02173
617/890-7003

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