This essay explores "content," a word and concept now often associated with writing in fields including marketing, journalism, publishing, and technical communication. I present a definition of content appropriate to writing studies and explore a range of issues and practices that the content metaphor can bring to our professional,…

Describes a word processor-based exercise developed to teach resume writing to technical writing students. (ARH)

Describes the nature and use of Structured Document Processors (SDPs), which integrate word processors and various writing aids to guide and control composing processes for specialized writing. Notes the need for SDPs in industry. Explores their implications for the practice and teaching of technical writing. (SR)

Technical writing instructors at Drexel University (Pennsylvania) use computers to excite students about something they usually regard as a chore. Most of the students are engineering majors, but do not necessarily know how to use a computer. However, they accept the necessity of following a logical set of commands, and that every program must be…

Asserts that the advantages of word processing for business writing classes are clear. Even though a teacher confronts giving up some lecture or discussion time, the hour spent in the lab frees students from tedious recopying, provides the teacher with professional-looking papers, and permits time for more writing assignments. (RAE)

Describes a game-like writing exercise that uses the principle of "divide and conquer" to teach technical description. (PD)

Discusses the capabilities and limitations of 10 computer programs that analyze writing style. Describes the mechanisms by which these programs read a text, analyze the writing style, and offer suggestions for improving writing style. (KEH)

Emphasizes the need for business or technical writing teachers to consider the machines used in the workplace when planning materials and procedures for courses. Recommends gaining familiarity with machines, choosing which technology to teach, and implementing the use of computers and other business machines in the classroom. (KEH)

Describes the writing problems of "real world" professional users of word processing, which include editing instead of revising and rethinking, a reluctance to rewrite, and word-inflation. Suggests strategies for working with students to avoid these problems, focusing on functional writing used by professionals in various fields. (MM)

Explores how word processing affects thinking and writing. Examines two myths surrounding word processors and invention in technical writing. Describes how word processing can enhance invention through collaborative writing, templates, and on-screen outlining. (MM)

The University of Tennessee has integrated computer technology into its business report and letter writing course, an 11-week course required of all business administration undergraduates. Basic principles of management and introduction to computer courses are prerequisites. Early course content emphasizes foundations of report writing, the…

Because of dramatic changes in the technology of communication systems in business, industry, government, and the professions, college graduates are no longer writing the way they were taught to write. Instead of being physically engaged in a recursive pen-in-hand process, they are dictating their communications for word processing systems. A…

Proposes that for students to gain the maximum benefits from the computer as an education and composition tool, teachers should incorporate the computer throughout the composing process. Describes the adaptation of computers in a specialized business and technical persuasive writing course. (MS)

Presents 48 annotations of journal articles reporting research on using computers to teach technical and business writing published between 1984 and 1990. Arranges it to assist teachers in incorporating this research in the classroom. Covers past research, effect of computers on student attitudes, use of word processors, collaborative writing with…

To test the argument that writing instructors should not teach word processing skills in computer-assisted composition classes, two qualitative studies were conducted. In the first study, three basic writers, two native speakers and one non-native speaker in a word processing/composition class at The Ohio State University were each extensively…