Discusses and illustrates how technical communicators can read and write complex documents dialogically by using a new/old strategy to help them in three activities: breaking down complex documents and data into components; solving problems by locating and describing causal components; and following and organizing sequences of components. (SR)

Discusses documenting object-oriented projects from the technical writer's perspective. Suggests that writers prepare themselves by becoming educated, getting comfortable with object-oriented concepts, understanding reuse, defining a development process with the rest of the project team, and defining document requirements using rapid prototyping.…

Describes a seven-step approach for writing a strategic plan for a small business. (SR)

Reconsiders the modern classic "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert Pirsig. Discusses three issues from the book that speak to the technical writer in particular: finding the proper perspective, using metaphoric writing, and avoiding gumption traps. (SR)

Discusses how to get started in hypermedia, offering a springboard for beginning hyperdocument developers. Argues that the key is to transfer the familiar to the unfamiliar by adapting paper-document writing processes and by applying the appropriate, familiar page-design principles. (SR)

Discusses the rhetorical elements of technical copywriting, including its shared communicative aims with technical writing; authorship considerations such as ethics, education, and professionalism; and the concerns of promotional strategy, audience analysis, choice of media and materials, writing strategy, and style. (SR)

Examines the amount and types of metadiscourse used by novice and expert writers in mechanical engineering design proposals. Finds that the expert took the stance of a member of a community of experts who added credibility by citing other work in his field, whereas students took the stance of agents talking directly to the reader. (SR)

Discusses several techniques used in the popular press which may be used in technical manuals to communicate more efficiently and, sometimes, to make the manuals fun to read. (SR)

Describes what expert systems are. Explains that they can make hypertext more usable by allowing the author's expertise to reside with the document, in effect performing run-time audience analysis, customizing documents to users' needs, advising users in selecting documents, and choosing effective reading strategies. (SR)

Maintains that magazine and journal articles can be a powerful marketing and education tool. Discusses planning an article, getting the most from the material, and working with editors. (SR)

Studies master's students in professional writing to discern value added by technical communicators. Shows that some expertise is brought to collaborative projects, while other types develop as a function of collaboration. Provides practicing communicators, students, and managers with ideas for documenting, developing, and enhancing this…

Investigates the relationship of specific semantic and syntactic text characteristics to what information readers recall. Confirms that readers are more likely to recall more versus less important information and information in clauses, independent clauses, and first paragraphs. Suggests how writers can use these findings to help readers retain…

Offers a profile of today's newsletters and includes suggestions for producing a successful newsletter. Provides a checklist for writing case histories and an outline of major types of newsletters and house organs. (SR)

Examines audience-centered writing strategies in two early sewing machine manuals. Considers the difference between non-sexist and gender-neutral writing. Concludes that avoiding sexism in technical writing may sometimes be impossible. (PA)

Explains the rhetorical implications of actions and states in various models of procedural discourse and in specific writer strategies. Considers more flexible alternatives to the "streamlined-step" model. States that one goal of technical communicators may be to help ensure that systems are designed, developed, implemented, and supported with…