Analyzes the appeal of horror films. Develops a model that finds that important factors in the horror film's appeal are the audience's desire to experience the satisfying resolutions and to see the destruction usually found in these films and the sensation-seeking personality traits of audience members for these films. (NKA)

Examines the audience experience with home video cassette recorders (VCRs) from the perspective of the active audience concept. Finds the orientation of Israeli VCR owners to VCRs is selective, somewhat involved, and generally productive of gratifications. Also finds the kinds and levels of activities associated with VCR use are moderately…

Explores agenda-setting implications of indexing news content by topic instead of by salience cues. Suggests significant differences in news topic exposure on equivalently concentrated patterns of readership in two versions of a newspaper. Readers evaluated the indexed newspaper negatively, but a reader core liked the indexing. (NKA)

Analyzes Walter Fisher's work on the "narrative paradigm." Considers Fisher's definition of narrative too broad and advocates a more limited definition. Rejects Fisher's view that there is an independent standard of narrative rationality distinguishable from the "rational world paradigm," and his idea that the role of the…

Offers suggestions for textbook writing and observations on subject, publishers, prospectus, advances, approach, reviews, audience, and deadlines. (MS)

Proposes a model for the revision process that recognizes that (1) reading and writing during revision are related; (2) a relationship exists between revision and the writer's knowledge of the subject, audience, and style; (3) revision strategies are based on heuristics; and (4) revision is involved in the recursive nature of the composing…

Examines commonly held notions about writing negative messages and suggests that these notions could be improved by incorporating research in audience analysis and interpersonal communication. Argues that letter writing is not simply information transfer. (MS)

Describes a community college English teacher's year spent in China and recommends that anyone interested in a similar experience be prepared to sing, dance, or entertain in some way before an audience, in addition to handling regular teaching duties. (NKA)

Discussion of user-friendly documentation focuses on problems with computer hardware and software documentation, and other forms of instructional manuals, that are poorly written and do not keep the needs of the users in mind. Topics highlighted include target audience analysis and validation and indexes. (LRW)

Analyzes research about the mass communication audience and describes a theoretical and methodological framework for further empirical studies. Discusses the (1) explanatory value of qualitative research; (2) social and cultural implications of the reception process, with special reference to television; and (3) applications and social relevance…

Explores the argument that television exemplifies the production and reflection of surplus value and that watching, as an activity, reflects the organization of human labor in the economy as a whole. Develops the basis for a materialist theory of the advertising-supported media industries in advanced industrial societies. (JD)

Surveys research exemplars of performance studies by tracing their epistemological claims and methodological assertions through discussions of text, event, performer, and audience. Claims a paradigmatic relationship between oral interpretation and performance studies. (JD)

Describes a writing assignment for which students must write a letter of application and a resume based on a fictitious biography and the text from an job advertisement. (SRT)

Provides an overview of the instructional use of telecourses at community colleges. Focuses on telecourse scope and type, audience, logistical/practical considerations, economics, and the future place of telecourses within the educational system. (AYC)

Describes an audience participation project in the classroom that approximates "real world" production techniques. (PD)