Discusses the job market for technical communication graduates and the process for setting up a college degree program in technical communication. (AEA)

Suggests that technical writing students need to be introduced to four important job-oriented concepts: (1) sleuthing (to pinpoint and correct questionable materials); (2) diplomacy (to handle sensitive authors); (3) scheduling (to estimate the time involved to complete a job accurately); and (4) budgeting (to determine job costs). (HTH)

Aimed at assisting school administrators in writing letters, memos, reports, grant proposals, press releases, summaries, research papers, and other types of documents, this book is organized into three parts. Part 1 covers activities conducted before drafting the document. Following an introductory chapter reviewing four stages of the writing…

Outlines a three-part diagnostic unit that tells the technical writing teacher what students need to know while showing students what technical writing is. Divides the unit into (1) troubleshooting a poor report, (2) exchanging and comparing revised reports, and (3) followup activities. (RL)

In preparing students for business writing, a technical writing class should foster (1) a sensitivity to audience and an understanding of the business or technical organizational audience, (2) analytical problem solving that precedes any but the simplest writing task, (3) understanding of the patterns of organization that make information clear to…

Describes an editing assignment in which senior engineering students use their knowledge of non-finite clauses (both restrictive and non-restrictive) to achieve concise mature writing. Explains the linguistic background provided to students before the assignment, gives details of the published "answer guide" and the exercise, and…

Drawn from the experience of various ministries and departments in governments across Canada, this guide is meant to be a practical guide in implementing plain language for managers in the Ontario (Canada) government. The guide describes how to use plain language in planning, writing, designing, and editing forms and documents, and how to set up…

Common pitfalls in technical writing and how to avoid them are outlined. These pitfalls include goobledygook words and phrases, plodding style, failure to follow the prescribed format for publication or proposals, misuse of words, inconsistencies, and failure to edit or proofread adequately. (MSE)

Designed to address writing problems experienced by researchers and managers, this book suggests practical steps researchers can take and effective actions managers can implements to cut costs, improve document usefulness, and upgrade writing skills. The book explains how to: (1) organize a technical/business document; (2) select information…

As changing and increasingly more specialized technologies take over many of the mechanical functions once performed by either technical communicators or users of material prepared by technical communicators, communicators are faced with greater and more complex responsibilities. For example, the advent of more sophisticated computer use in…

The editor of a university magazine offers observations about writing and editing science-related articles, focusing on eliciting information during the interview with the researcher, deciding what to write and how to organize it, and rules for self-editing. (MSE)

The demand for skilled technical editors is growing as society places increasing emphasis on receiving accurate, concise, and complete technical data. Since many organizations do not have inhouse programs for training technical editors, a need exists to provide inexperienced people with basic editing skills. One organization has developed two…

This manual is intended to train distance education staff in how to develop and edit teaching materials. Addressed in the individual units of the guide are the following topics: appointing writers, preparing to write, developing a course outline, selecting the structure of a unit, presenting the subject matter, developing student activities,…

Both teaching technical editing skills in a logical sequence from introductory through intermediate and advanced levels, and helping students learn how to offer creative help to authors call for a structured approach to the editing course. Editing students should already have a firm knowledge of spelling, punctuation, and grammar, as well as…

Provides a thorough review of the software package "MathType, Mathematical Equation Editor." Includes hardware specifications, a description of the program, and evaluative comments. (PK)