Hypertext

The term hypertext describes computer-generated documents that present ideas and information in a nonlinear structure, as opposed to the linear format of books, film, and speech. Each screen in electronic documents consists of a topic that is presented in small self-contained paragraphs. Specific words or groups of words, selected by the writer, can be linked to other words, groups of words, or paragraphs referring the user to supporting or additional information.

In hypertext, linked text is highlighted on the screen, offering a visual cue to users. When users click on the text, they jump to another screen that contains the requested information. The highlighted text is often referred to as a hot spot. In Hypertext Learning Environments: Instructional Design and Integration, Piet Kommers states: "The user is free to click on the hypertext link: any semantic relation or mental association may be an argument for defining or tracing a hypertext link" (Kommers 4).

Hypertext is a method to create and access nonlinear text.

Piet Kommers