Suggests that technical writers should emphasize similarities rather than differences between oral and written discourse. Argues that implicit rules of conversation have much to offer the technical writer. Illustrates how the principles of conversation can be applied to the process of writing instructions. (KEH)

Describes the company profile case study approach to technical writing. Explains that groups of four students (1) select an industrywide classification, then select four firms from the chosen classification; (2) select audiences for their reports; (3) research individual companies and prepare group presentations; and (4) deliver group…

Explores the benefits of a hermeneutic orientation to technical writing instruction. Examines the historical and philosophical sources that have influenced technical writing pedagogy, and describes the usefulness of hermeneutic inquiry and its potential for technical writing teachers. (SG)

Describes an assignment given on the second class meeting in which students, working in pairs, find all the elements of organization used in a particular annual report and calculate sample sentence and paragraph lengths. Notes that such an activity serves as an introduction to class discussions on professional writing style. (RS)

Suggests strategies for applying Kenneth Burke's theories of rhetoric and dialectic to technical writing instruction. Shows how teachers can use Burke's dialectic heuristic, the Pentad, to analyze writing situations they present to students. Describes how writers can use Burke's concept of "identification" as a strategy for analyzing and…

Examines the role of orality in multiple-audience analysis and adaptation. Finds that interaction is the central means of analyzing and adapting discourse to multiple audiences, fulfilling rhetorical and social goals, and building and sustaining a corporate culture. Suggests that orality is more potent than literacy in composing behavior and…

Examines the rapidly growing role for technical communicators in the computer industry as members of the external design team. Describes the kinds of decisions they are responsible for with regard to all phases of product development--as user advocates, usability testers, screen designers, and online documentation specialists. (KEH)

Suggests a first writing assignment--an ungraded "practice" memo assignment--for the business writing class, which promotes good will between teacher and students, and offers the opportunity for class discussion on principles of business communication and business writing. (SR)

Written reports still constitute the primary means of communicating institutional research findings. They may have a variety of formats, but should always rest on a well-documented research process. (Author/MSE)

Refutes the claim that new technical writers are not trained for the "real world" of technical communication. Argues that technical writing students should be taught how to approach a variety of writing tasks. (MM)

Focuses on the difficulty of moving literacy programs from the classroom to the workplace. Suggests that writing consultants face similar difficulties as they develop writing-across-the-curriculum programs and consult with public schools K-12. (JAD)

Summarizes the philosophical background of cultural literacy. Argues that cultural literacy derives from an educational philosophy hostile to the needs of technical students. Concludes that reading and writing instruction should be personally relevant to technical students. (MM)

Explores the varying degrees of success that technical communicators had in different geographic and organizational settings of three development efforts within one company. Finds that a high degree of integration between technical communicators and developers can result in improved information products but that the organizational framework, work…

Provides survey results indicating the relative health of undergraduate writing programs in four-year universities. Reports a significant increase in undergraduate writing programs. However, technical and professional writing programs are not increasing as rapidly as a new broad-based program encompassing creative writing, composition, journalism,…

Presents an exercise for students in small groups designed to help students identify errors and correct them and to emphasize the importance of the editing phase in writing. (SR)