Explains the costs, uses, and options of desktop publishing for the business communications community. (MS)

Presents an annotated bibliography of new editions of writing textbooks for 1987-88. Classifies textbooks as developmental, freshman, advanced, and professional. (JK)

Offers a methodology for letter and memoranda writing which exchanges an emphasis on forms for one on rhetorical analysis, employing the use of the classical enthymeme. (MS)

Proposes that technical writing teachers have a special responsibility to use their subject matter to advance the critical reasoning processes required in the composing process, the disciplines, and the professions. Suggests 10 critical thinking skills to encourage in technical writing courses. (MS)

Examines two leading journals from both physics and educational psychology to see whether the research article introductions typically include statements of principal findings. Indicates (1) a mismatch between descriptive practice and prescriptive advice and (2) a diversity in this rhetorical feature between the two fields. (JD)

Points out that most college-level teachers are not trained to teach technical writing, although graduate school, experience teaching rhetoric, and professional input from specially trained technical writing instructors can help college teachers learn to teach technical writing. (SKC)

Offers a reference report assignment as a final task instead of an exam in a business and technical writing course. Notes that the purpose of the report is not to research but to organize and synthesize the information learned over the semester. (JC)

For students who have difficulty finding material for writing formal business and technical reports, suggests keeping a file folder of clippings about new products and services taken from a leading newspaper.(NH)

Notes that revision strategies are seldom a part of the technical writer's education. Provides an outline, based on experience and an analysis by Hillocks, for a group project method for teaching the process of updating and revising documents. (ARH)

Suggests that strict adherence to the process approach (as outlined by Roger Garrison and Jeanne Halpern) is not appropriate in technical writing courses. Recommends that a new method of training professional writing instructors be found: one that combines an awareness of writing theory with an awareness that some communication work demands only…

Identifies three challenges faced by the field of technical communications: (1) to define the kind of education required for technical writing; (2) to establish technical writing as a profession; and (3) to determine what technical writers do that is unique and worth remuneration. Includes a brief history of technical communication. (JAD)

Outlines the characteristics of policy and procedure manuals. Focuses on some of the difficulties in writing these: (1) maintaining legality; (2) maintaining accuracy and consistency; (3) finding an appropriate style; and (4) handling the review and approval process. (JAD)

Summarizes the most effective techniques for preparing instruction manuals for non-English readers. Reviews techniques such as human translation, machine translation, and controlled English. Argues that writers of such manuals must take into account differences in language, culture, and learning style. (JAD)

Describes methods for organizing and developing booklets of technical articles emphasizing engineering innovations, used as a marketing tool by corporate sales divisions. (JAD)

Offers advice to English teachers who find themselves in the position of teaching technical writing, especially in engineering. (JAD)