Style-checking method and apparatus for business writing

Abstract

The method is software-based, and carried out on a computer system and cooperating apparatus. It checks written text for problems impairing clarity, conciseness and reader comfort in business documents. One embodiment includes routines for checking writing style in sentences and paragraphs, and for generating informational, critical and commendatory display indicators relating to reader comfort. The routines check subject and verb juxtaposition, verb strength, prepositional phrase use, transition words, unity-creating constructions, gerund use, and sentence variety. The indicators are displayed in the form of highlighted text and diacritical marks. Another embodiment is a method for quantifying reader discomfort. It includes routines for quantifying, reporting and displaying points indicating comfort-impairing problems of the type located by running the routines of the first embodiment. Yet another embodiment includes a method for editing text documents for reader comfort, by locating and fixing problem words and constructions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.