Notes that technical communicators have developed different methodologies for evaluating the effectiveness of their work, such as editing, usability testing, and determining the value added. Explains that at least three broad value systems underlie the assessment practices: characteristic-based, task-based, and results-based. Concludes that the…

The new editors of the "Review of Educational Research" recognize their charge to be comprehensive in the process of review of educational research and to be of service to educators. They also acknowledge the challenge to be nurtured by the scholarship of the times and innovations in education. (SLD)

Presents and discusses results of a survey of editing instructors in the United States on the status of copy editing. Provides benchmark data on the state of copy editing instruction in accredited colleges and universities. Concludes that copy editing is generally healthy and respected in most programs but that it mirrors the industry in taking a…

Describes personal reflections on "Communication Education" between 1976 and 1978 under the author's editorship. Discusses reflections under three headings: events and experiences shaping the editor's views of the field of communication education; the transition from "The Speech Teacher" to "Communication Education,"…

Discusses hypermedia as an appropriate medium for supporting collaborative work and describes hypermedia systems in general and NoteCards in particular. Experiences of collaborators working with NoteCards are presented, the resulting development of two tools is described, and future developments for NoteCards and these tools are discussed. (17…

Examines whether information lost or altered in a communication chain can be reversed. Concludes that within the boundary conditions of this experiment, information loss is reversible; that some losses are more reversible than others; and that people reconstruct orderly parts and omit details that confuse connections among the parts. (JAD)

Suggestions are offered to campus editors on ways to make periodical article headlines more arresting. Stressed are the need for accuracy, appropriate length, use of poetics, and cleverness. Examples of good and poor headlines are offered and the need to devote adequate time to headline preparation is stressed. (DB)

After examining the related research, it is difficult to conclude with certainty that the use of word processors is always effective in improving writers' revising skills or that their use necessarily leads to the production of higher quality texts. Their effectiveness depends on other factors that psychologists are starting to measure. (110…

Examines whether the computer is an effective editing tool. Reports that a survey of 94 editors shows that 62.8 percent use computers in editing, and even editors who use them also depend on hard copy. Finds that the computer seems to increase the editors' responsibilities, but it remains just a tool. (PRA)

Reports students' perceptions of learning desktop publishing (DTP) systems. Finds that (1) students learned the foundations of DTP in under 60 hours of hands-on experience; (2) the incremental introduction of DTP functions and practice sessions before assignments were the most effective teaching strategy; and (3) use of DTP encouraged nonartistic…

Improvement of writing in the workplace involves both writers and their managers in a systematic process: (1) prepackaging the assignment; (2) delegating; (3) clarifying and focusing the assignment; (4) promoting efficient writing techniques; (5) efficient editing and/or peer reviewing; and (6) reviewing the final document. (SK)

Suggests that editors looking for work can approach companies with some unsolicited editing of the company's own annual report. Suggest what to look for when editing an annual report. (SR)

Describes revision as practiced at a major scientific research and development laboratory. Shows how scientific authors, technical editors, colleague reviewers, and supervisors team up in a collaborative approach in which editors provide substantive revisions early in the collaborative review process. Argues that editors should become involved at…

Argues that the best approach for technical editors is to abandon the language cops' billy club, listen to what the authors want to say, and give those authors friendly expertise, without rigid prescription or blanket condemnation. (SR)

Compares the grammatical structure of original press releases with the resultant placements in daily newspapers. Finds that, in their use of press releases, journalists almost always have to make them simpler, shorter, easier to read, and less passive. (SR)