Discusses the strengths of a qualitative study of the effectiveness of environmental impact statements. Notes that the study explores an ill-defined area and relates writing to the situation in which it occurs. (RS)

Examines the types of documents written by 23 executives/managers in 2 different companies, finding that the most frequently written documents are memorandums and letters. Notes implications for business writing courses. Suggests that students be required to prepare a wide variety of documents in business writing courses. (SR)

Reviews specific examples of cliched anecdotes from recent publications intended for student use, warning that these reflect poorly on the field. Calls for more qualitative research to validate the principles espoused in business communication literature. (RAE)

Discusses categories of document testing, importance of reader-based testing, measures in usability testing, and issues in implementing document testing. (SR)

Finds that company recruiters are most interested in the following items commonly found on a resume: address information, job objective, education, work experience, and extra curricular activities. Finds also that the use of high quality paper and typesetting is not important, and that recruiters prefer the traditional historical/chronological…

Investigates whether two versions of a letter (one consistently applying the principles of you-attitude and positive emphasis at the sentence level, the other one violating these principles) requesting participation in a research project elicited the same response rate. Finds that, contrary to received wisdom, the letter violating these principles…

Analyzes negative letters from companies in response to customer complaints. Find striking differences between real letters and textbook examples and instruction. Discusses implications for teaching and research. (SR)

Summarizes information on general and specific uses of computers in teaching business and professional writing. Presents research that examines both general computer usage in business communication courses and specific computer usage, such as electronic communication and text analysis. Provides background information on the importance of college…

Surveys international businesses in the United States regarding written communication skills required. Finds that there are major writing responsibilities in various departments within international companies, that the variety of documents produced was similar to domestic businesses, and that the major writing deficiency was mechanics. (SR)

Investigates whether an English and spelling pretest administered to business communication students helped teachers evaluate the language arts skills or deficiencies of their students. Finds that the test is a good predictor of performance ability in business communication and that the pretest and posttest scores help teachers and students to…

Addresses the question of whether text editing programs are successful in taking over the traditional functions of an editor. Compares the editing suggestions made by two of the most popular text editing programs ("RightWriter" and "Punctuation + Style") with those of an experienced editor. Finds that text editing programs are…

Surveys faculty of the College of Business at Illinois State University concerning writing assignments given in the functional areas. Finds an average of one research paper per class required in each of the five departments of the college, while the type and format of research varied. Discusses implementing the results. (RS)

Examines the frequency of coauthoring. Summarizes the issues confronting coauthors. Argues for the formation of business communication coauthorships within the discipline, interdisciplinary coauthorships, and coauthorships with academia and business. (RS)

Discusses the development of a pragmatic model of the writing process in the workplace, focusing on the importance of "drafting" as part of that process. Discusses writers' attitudes about drafting and the structures of the workplace that drafting has to accommodate. Introduces a drafting model and discusses results of using this model…

Synthesizes major findings of writing research into 10 basic principles: grammar, correctness, feedback, positive reinforcement, formative evaluation, quality of learning, specific devices, sharing, student interest, and reading. Applies the principles to business communication classes. (RS)