Argues that online help systems are often not helpful and even increase the user's frustration and stress level. States that an instructional design perspective can increase the effectiveness of online help systems, and offers a checklist. Examines the instructional components of the checklist and identifies ways they could be added to an online…

Tests the assumption that technical writers and editors assume readers are generally helped when nominalizations and the weak verbs that accompany them are replaced with the verb form of the nominalization. Indicates that denominalized text is most effective in helping native speakers focus on more important information, but for nonnative…

Provides guidelines for performing and evaluating a simulation developed to teach business students how to conduct effective meetings and how to write memos in the realistic context. Includes handouts that guide students in performing the simulation. (SR)

Describes a report-writing assignment that uses business letters to bridge the gap between letters and reports. Notes that in the letter writing unit, students learn to apply the principles of good business writing to various types of letters; and in the report-writing unit, students learn the reporting process (planning, data gathering, analysis,…

Surveys business communications students. Finds that students' perceptions about the frequency and use of customer communication, e-mail and fax machines, and visual aids were consistent with the realities of the workplace. Discusses in more detail students' perceptions that were inconsistent with the workplace regarding business document creation…

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…

Explores the practical implications of constructivist theory for documentation that is targeted to complex tasks and experienced users. Examines the conceptual underpinnings of current task-oriented documentation and proposes why it falls short for experienced users and complex tasks. Discusses constructivist views of knowing, learning, and doing…

Considers how visual metadiscourse provides design criteria for authors when considering the needs and expectations of readers. Notes the author's discussions of textual metadiscourse in technical writing classes since 1995. Notes an improvement in the cohesion and considerateness of student writing after rethinking their role as writers and the…

Describes the collection of the citations to Carolyn Miller's "A Humanistic Rationale for Technical Writing." Reviews the text to reveal her knowledge claims, and identifies authors who have cited those claims. Organizes these intertextual connections around three broad topics: teaching, rhetorical features, and communities. Illustrates…

Argues that technical communication courses, particularly introductory courses in technical writing, must include a translation component if they are to prepare students for the kind of work they are now likely to encounter as technical communicators. Suggests the time is ripe for changing the curriculum so that students receive instruction in how…

Reports that although a rhetoric of visible text based on page layout and various design features has been defined, what a writer should know about design is rarely covered. Describes and demonstrates a scope and sequence of learning that encourages writers to develop skills as text designers. Introduces helpful literature that displays visually…

Reports that technical communicators face ethical questions at almost every step when working with graphics and illustrations. Presents examples of ethical conflicts, describes some of the prominent visual rhetorics, and discusses ethical issues that need to be addressed. Suggests some steps for improving ethical awareness related to graphics and…

Recounts how Frank Aydelotte, an MIT English professor, became AT&T's first writing consultant and created a year-long program that taught employees to think and write about issues important to their work. Suggests that the course offers insights into early consulting work and shows how Aydelotte's humanistic approach to technical…

Asserts that the problem of poor documentation can be alleviated by producing better educated and more qualified technical writers. Describes how technical writing instructors can increase their own technical expertise and encourage their students to develop these skills. (SR)

Recommends four research issues in technical communication with direct implications for both teaching and practice: using the outlining feature (offered by many word processing programs) in writing instruction; the consequences of contemporary guidelines for prose style; the psychology of intimidation and impatience in documentation; and text…