---
title: "Discourse Structure and the Proper Treatment of Interruptions"
authors:
  - "Barbara J. Grosz"
  - "Candace L. Sidner"
doi: ""
url: "https://ijcai.org/proceedings/1985/164"
pdf: "https://ijcai.org/proceedings/1985/0164.pdf"
venue: "Proceedings of the Ninth International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence"
year: 1985
pages: "832-838"
track: "Natural Language"
keywords:
---

# Discourse Structure and the Proper Treatment of Interruptions

Barbara J. Grosz, Candace L. Sidner

*Proceedings of the Ninth International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence*, pages 832-838.

## Abstract

This paper reports on the development of a computational theory of discourse. The theory is based on the thesis that discourse structure is a composite of three structures : the structure of the sequence of utterances, the structure of intentions conveyed , and the attentional state. The distinction among these components is essential to provide adequate explanations of such discourse phenomena as clue words, referring expressions and interruptions . We illustrate the use of the theory for four types of interruptions and discuss aspects of interruptionl! previously overlooked .