Natural Language Generation (NLG): Which choices describe core planning decisions an NLG system must make before producing output?
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AWhat to say (content selection)
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BWhen to say something (timing and discourse planning)
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CWhy it is being used (business purpose selection)
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DBoth (a) and (b)
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ENone of the above
Answer
Correct Answer: Both (a) and (b)
Explanation
Introduction / Context:Natural Language Generation systems plan and realize text from structured data. This question evaluates understanding of content determination and discourse planning, two fundamental NLG planning stages.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- NLG requires selecting relevant information (what to say).
- NLG must organize and time information (when and how to say it).
- High-level business purpose is typically specified externally by the application.
Concept / Approach:Core NLG pipeline: content selection, document planning (ordering/timing), microplanning (lexicalization/aggregation), and surface realization. The system must decide what content to include and how to structure its presentation over a discourse.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Identify core planning: choose facts → order them.Map to options: (a) content selection; (b) timing/organization.Note that ‘‘why it is being used’’ is a design requirement, not the NLG planner’s internal decision.Select ‘‘Both (a) and (b)’’.Verification / Alternative check:Standard NLG architectures consistently list content selection and discourse planning as essential pre-realization steps.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- (a) or (b) alone is incomplete; both are necessary.
- (c) is external to the generator; it does not describe a generation decision.
- None of the above contradicts NLG fundamentals.
Common Pitfalls:Confusing strategic goals of the application with the tactical planning decisions the NLG system performs.
Final Answer:Both (a) and (b)