Christina Romain, Éric Tortochot, Véronique Rey

La simplification de document : de la mise en mots à la mise en scène graphique et rédactionnelle

Introduction

La simplification de document : de la mise en mots à la mise en scène graphique et rédactionnelle. Cet article explore la simplification de documents, de la rédaction au design graphique. Il analyse le savoir-faire du rédacteur professionnel et les défis de coordination des compétences.

Abstract

In line with the work conducted in simplifying administrative documents (Clerc and Kavanagh 2006; Clerc 2019; Vecchiato 2021), this article questions the professional writer’s know-how with regard to the reader’s final expectations (Schriver, 1997; Cho and Choi 2018). If simplification can be considered in terms of word counts, language registers, sentence structures, or even in terms of a benevolent interactional relationship depending on the more or less conflicting context (Romain, Rey & Pereira 2015, 2022; Clerc 2019), we posit that it can also be considered in graphic terms (Frechin 2019). Since this implies that there are three processes, simplification can be considered as the result of a dialogical process between editorial and graphic design know-how. Our study aims to report on these three processes by analyzing the simplification of a document carried out by a professional writer. We present how, in the process of simplification, the professional writer questions the construction of the document and the reader’s representation of the document. Our results show the difficulty of coordinating two skills (editorial and graphic design) due to differentiated temporalities: that of the immediacy of the information carried by the visual and that of the sequentiality of the information carried by the written language (Plane, Alamargot and Lebrave 2010). The harmonization of these two temporalities at the service of informational and relational content constraints seems to be a source of tension. Our analysis leads us to identify the necessary explanation of know-how to manage this paradox. This practical case shows how these linguistic and graphic processes are implemented when simplifying the documents to be revised.

Review

The article "La simplification de document : de la mise en mots à la mise en scène graphique et rédactionnelle" makes a valuable contribution to the ongoing discourse on document simplification. Building upon established research in administrative document simplification, the authors effectively broaden the traditional scope from purely linguistic considerations (word counts, sentence structure, registers) to encompass the crucial role of graphic design. Their central premise, positing simplification as a "dialogical process between editorial and graphic design know-how," offers a sophisticated framework for understanding the professional writer’s multifaceted role in meeting reader expectations. By examining a practical case of document simplification carried out by a professional writer, the study promises to shed light on the intricate interplay of these often-separated domains. A key strength of this work lies in its identification of a fundamental challenge in coordinating editorial and graphic design skills: the "differentiated temporalities" of visual (immediate information) and written (sequential information) communication. This insight into the inherent tension arising from the harmonization of these distinct temporalities, especially in the service of informational and relational content, is particularly significant. It highlights a critical practical problem faced by professional communicators, moving beyond theoretical discussions to pinpoint a concrete hurdle in effective document design. The finding that managing this paradox necessitates a "necessary explanation of know-how" is a compelling conclusion, suggesting avenues for professional development and interdisciplinary collaboration. While the abstract provides a compelling overview, a more detailed explanation of the methodology, particularly the specific "three processes" and how the professional writer's analysis was conducted, would further enrich the full paper. Future research building on this excellent foundation could explore the nature of this "explanation of know-how"—what forms it takes, how it can be fostered, and its measurable impact on document quality and reader comprehension. Investigating this tension across different organizational contexts or with diverse professional profiles (e.g., graphic designers collaborating with writers) could further extend the practical applicability of these findings. Overall, this article presents an important and timely discussion that enhances our understanding of document simplification as a complex, multi-modal endeavor, offering both theoretical depth and practical implications for communication professionals.

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