Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!watnot!watdcsu!cfry From: cfry@watdcsu.UUCP Newsgroups: ont.events,uw.lpaig Subject: Jan 21 McKeown Constraints on Text Generation Message-ID: <2905@watdcsu.UUCP> Date: Mon, 12-Jan-87 11:10:00 EST Article-I.D.: watdcsu.2905 Posted: Mon Jan 12 11:10:00 1987 Date-Received: Wed, 14-Jan-87 02:07:23 EST Distribution: ont Organization: U of Waterloo, Ontario Lines: 41 Xref: watmath ont.events:669 uw.lpaig:563 Constraints on Text Generation by Kathleen McKeown from Department of Computer Science Columbia University New York, N.Y. Abstract In order for a system to generate text, it must be able to deter- mine what information to communicate, when to say what, and which words and syntactic constructions best express its intent. In this talk, I will show how information about the current user of the system, discourse strategies, and focus of attention can be used as constraints on these decisions. This work will be dis- cussed within the context of two different applications: 1) the generation of explanations as part of an expert system that ad- vises students on course selection and 2) the generation of spa- tial descriptions as part of a question-answering system contain- ing information about physical objects. DATE: Wednesday, January 21, 1987 TIME: 3:30 p.m. PLACE: MC 5158 Everyone is welcome. Refreshments served.