The Author's Role
In the conversation that is hypertext, the author has the responsibility of the information provider. Myron Tuman argues that the role of information provider is simply a matter of collecting and arranging material. This is true to a certain extent, but it's also no different from what print authors do. As in print, the hypertext author collects and arranges information, and is also responsible for one side of the conversation, the side that says, "here's what I think" and, "have you thought of this possibility?" and "here's more information if you're interested." Providing possibilities in this manner is where authors must be particularly aware of instances of privileging. Again, none of this is radically different from print. But in hypertext, rather than privileging certain information in the interest of space, the author points to the possibilities--possibilities that may include tangential concepts and ideas that would have been discarded in print--and lets the reader decide where to go. Without an author as part of these multifaceted conversations, readers may have difficulty creating their arguments.
Author on the Web
The Author's Authority
Sections| Bibliography | Navigation Tips |