Claims that baseball coaches and writing instructors have similar responsibilities--to lead their pupils through the tasks to be learned, not simply to tell their students "how it is done." Argues that the process approach to instruction provides students with the feedback that is essential to learning without unnecessary pressure. (JD)

Argues that teaching arrangement inductively offers an alternative to the standard imitation of business communication text models. Asserts that the inductive method stimulates individual rather than formulaic responses to the problems of organization, and that inductively-trained writers see arrangements as a powerful element in persuasive…

Presents five research-based writing models to help student writers analyze their composition processes: (1) discovery, (2) direct writing process, (3) five-stage process, (4) write-talk-write, and (5) four key questions. Discusses advantages and disadvantages of each model. (PD)

Shows how to teach the six writing processes on-the-job writers will need: invention; adaptation for audience, clarification of purpose, organization, control of voice or persona, and polishing. Processes are based on an informal survey of 125 writers in business, industry and government. Provides teaching methods and application. (PD)

Discusses the appropriateness of the process method for the business writer. Describes how the method might be taught in a business communication course. (JD)

Argues that business writing is not compatible with currently fashionable process approaches that are adapted to personal, expressive writing. Claims that good business writing is transactional and requires a formulation that cannot be reconciled with the pedagogical theories, assumptions, and techniques of current process writing. (JD)

Examines how speaking/writing relationships help and hinder communication. Suggests ways to make business communication students aware of differences between speaking and writing. Identifies research needed to further understanding of these relationships in business communication. (PD)

Argues that the process approach to writing should not be stressed too heavily in business communication courses because the process may (1) be a luxury; (2) be an illusion; and (3) vary so much between writers that urging a set series of steps might accomplish little and make inefficient use of class time. (JD)

Examines the theoretical background for a process-based pedagogy. Denotes a sample progression for a process-based course, including a description of the phases in the writing process and an application of this description to various assignments. Includes an extended example. (JD)

Doubts the ability of formulas to predict readability and questions their use as aids in writing readable prose. Points out that formulas also hamper the teaching of business writing because they emphasize written products instead of the writing process. (PD)

Discusses the essential difference between the writing process and its product; namely, that the former is a private and unique activity, whereas the latter is an observable artifact that can be publicly evaluated. Argues that even proponents of the process approach to writing cannot escape basing their discussions on products. (JD)

Claims that the product approach to business writing prescribes a way of operating similar to imitation and creates an illusion of a static world when, in reality, the business environment is constantly in flux. Argues that the process approach to writing instruction should be used in business communication classes. (JD)

Presents a strategy for teaching paragraph cohesion based on the "given-new contract" theory of information transfer that explains why and how to construct unified and cohesive paragraphs. (PD)

Explores the analogy between teaching writing and teaching virtue and concludes that teaching writing with its focus on practical reasoning and prudence is bound up in similar ways with teaching moral goodness. (PD)

Introduces and demonstrates the various ways that writers keep track of the main theme of the exposition and how they change signals to and from subtopics to maintain continuity in texts. Concludes with notes on teaching this material. (PD)