Planning texts by constraint satisfaction

A method is de.scribed by which a rhetoricalstructure tree can be realized by a text structure made up of sections, paragraphs, sentences, vertical lists, mid other textual patterns, with discourse connectives added (in the correct positions) to mark rhetorical relations. We show that text-structuring can be formulated as a Constraint Satisfaction Problem, so that all solutions rest)ecting constraints on text-structure formation and structu,'al compatibility can be efficiently generated. Of the many sohltions generated by this method, some are stylistically preferable to others; we show how further constraints can be applied in order to select the best versions. Finally, we discuss some extensions such as the generation of indented text structures.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2000
• Where: COLING
• Authors: Richard Power
• Keywords: COLING 2000, COLING 2008, Constraint Satisfaction Problem, Solutions Rest)ecting Constraints, Text Structures