Can narratology facilitate successful communication in hypermedia environments?

Abstract The aim of this paper is to raise a number of issues surrounding conceptions of the reader-writer relationship within the hypermedia literature. In response to the observation that theoretical developments are constrained by rather generalist assumptions regarding communication, Ricoeur's (1976) analysis of the distinguishing characteristics of text and talk is examined. Ricoeur's proposals highlight the importance of specifying appropriate criteria in this domain, and serve as the background framework for a second objective: outlining a model of the reader-author relationship for hypermedia environments. Fulfilling this aim is supported by a consideration of Flowers (1987) and her identification of the presuppositions underscoring the act of reading and writing. This model informs the proposal that the design of successful (and engaging) hypermedia systems would benefit by focusing on pro-cedures underpinning dynamic interactivity. A third objective is to examine whether ‘narratological’ account...