Examines Exxon's communication efforts in the wake of the Exxon Valdez oil spill disaster. Identifies communication practices that damaged the corporation's credibility, antagonized the public, and contributed to the public perception of its corporate arrogance. Notes that the Valdez spill makes a good case for classroom study. (PRA)

Indicates that ambiguity, one of the major faults of technical prose, occurs in at least six ways: ambiguity by implication, ambiguous word order, ambiguous words, dangling participles, improper or missing punctuation, and faulty pronoun reference. Suggests cures for each and provides examples for students to discuss and correct. (TJ)

States that teachers can help students overcome problems with clarity by showing them how to become more sensitive to the reader's ignorance of the writer's intentions; presents sample sentences from students' writing to illustrate writing problems that force the reader to examine the sentences a second time. (DD)

Each individual views the world from a frame of reference that is unique and personal. Messages are perceived in three steps: (1) data is selected data; (2) information is organized in some meaningful way; and (3) the information is interpreted. Three activities (paperfolding, T-puzzle, and cooperative geometry) were devised to display the need…

Explores the problem of sexist language in written communication. Offers a definition of sexist language, and suggests possible solutions for eliminating sex bias in language. Urges technical writing instructors to address the issue in their classes, noting that sexist language can cause serious problems in efforts to communicate effectively. (MM)

Discusses the following barriers which interfere with listening efficiency: content, speaker, medium, distractions, mindset, language, listening speed, and feedback. Suggests ways to combat these obstacles to accurate comprehension. (MM)

Stresses the importance of teaching not only the linguisti aspects of a foreign language but also the gestures used by native speakers of the language. Several examples (some accompanied by sketches or photographs) are provided of gestures used by native speakers of Italian. (CFM)

Suggests creating subtle but simple controversial issues and personalities for student assignments to help students consider the problem of audience in technical and business writing. (TJ)

Coaches are provided with specific steps to close communication gaps between coach and athlete and prevent future communication problems. Included are several exercises that can be used to create an atmosphere in which both coach and athlete can practice effective communication skills. (IAH)

A frequent complaint about the quality of health care delivery is that physicians often do not listen to their patients in consultation sessions. Studies indicate physicians show a tendency to listen only to patient discourse that the examiners had initiated, and to ignore questions and comments that the patients had initiated; that physicians…

Describes an international business communication course taught at Murray State University. Acquaints students with the challenges of international business communication, provides guidelines for successful cross-cultural business communication, and gives practice in solving international business problems through the use of the guidelines. (RAE)

Provides practical information for those interested in implementing a communication apprehension program: (1) description of 24 communication programs; (2) glossary of various methods used to treat communication apprehension; and (3) classified bibliography arranged by treatment method. (PD)

Describes the Writing Tutorial Service at Carleton University, Ottawa, which provides individual tutoring for students who want help with their writing. Outlines some of the teaching techniques used, showing how they vary according to the stage of the composing process at which tutors are required to intervene. (GT)

This monograph explores the particular kind of shyness that manifests itself in quietness or avoidance of talk by students in the classroom. It deals with the consequences and diagnosis of such shyness, the subjective experience, the causes, and the treatment. In addition, it offers classroom activities and exercises designed to remedy the…

The article describes an assessment and instructional strategy for teaching severely handicapped individuals manual communication skills. (DLS)