A graduate-level course focused on original research proposals is introduced to address the uneven preparation in technical writing of new chemistry graduate students. This course focuses on writing original research proposals. The general course structure features extensive group discussions, small-group activities, and regular in-class…

Discusses the importance of audience awareness in technical writing and offers suggestions to help students characterize the readers of their writing. (AEA)

Discusses S. I. Hayakawa's contributions to the literature of semantics and explains how these relate to technical and business writing. Shows how to adapt Hayakawa's scholarship to teaching. (FL)

Discusses several examples of "writing process" research indicating their shortcomings. Points to the work of I. A. Richards as an indication of the kinds of research that should be conducted. (FL)

Describes the methodology and results of a study to determine whether writing instruction caused anxiety. The results indicated that teaching technical writing in freshman composition was more effective in lowering student writing anxiety than were literary-essay or rhetorical teaching approaches. (HTH)

Offers resources on technical writing published in 1981. Arranges the citations under the following categories: bibliographies, books, reviews, and articles on the profession; theory and philosophy; pedagogy; technical speech; research; designing degree programs; technical writing and the computer; writing technical articles and reports;…

Offers resources on technical writing that were published in 1980. Arranges the citations under 12 categories: bibliographies, books, reviews, and articles on theory and philosophy; pedagogy; writing technical articles and reports; research; technical writing and the computer; graphic/visual aids; correspondence; technical speech; and designing…

Recommends a four-part structure for retrospective internship reports: (1) introduction, (2) narrative, (3) analysis and evaluation, and (4) appendix. Advises teachers to present the report form to the student before the internship begins to add structure to the internship experience. (SKC)

Focuses on the persona or ethos of the writer. Demonstrates that ethos can be an effective form of appeal in technical discourse, particularly in commanding the attention of the audience to instruction. Suggests specific directions for future research on specific ways to communicate a strong ethos in technical texts. (EL)

Suggests duplicating the depth and texture of real-life writing in the classroom by using the college organization and its functions to create more accurate writing assignments. (CRH)

Compares the writing of two students--a competent writer and a weak one--in a technical communication course before and after discussion of design principles. Finds that a basic understanding of design principles helped them improve document macrostructure but had little effect on document microstructure. Suggests that integrating document design…

Traces the epistemic trend in rhetorical theory through the literature of four disciplines: new physics, reader response criticism, history of classical rhetoric, and composition theory. Sheds light on the philosophical and pedagogical implications of the epistemic trend for teaching scientific writing as a subjective and social process. (SKC)

In addition to citing bibliographies, books, and reviews on technical writing materials, this bibliography lists materials on the profession; theory and philosophy; courses, programs, and internships; research; teaching; consulting, training, in-house courses; writing professional documents; technical writing and computers; graphics/visual aids;…

Describes the methodology and results of a survey of technical writing teachers. Respondents indicated whether their institutions offer a course in lower division technical writing and how they believe such a course should be taught. They also rated the appropriateness of various types of writing exercises. (HTH)

Presents bibliographic information on over 600 books, journal articles, review essays, and reviews that treat technical communication within higher education, some postsecondary training, and actual practice. Notes that nearly all entries were published in 1992. (RS)