Argues that information designers can obtain a better understanding of users by using the contextual inquiry methodology, which involves conducting open-ended conversations with users while they perform their work. Notes that information designers using contextual inquiry depend on context, partnership, and focus to make design decisions. Relates…

Describes how professional writers from Bell Northern Research, enrolled in a professional writing program, designed a quick reference guide for in-house use, and then provided a theoretical framework to ground and explain their visual design choices. Offers the instructor's theoretical reflections on how visual design can motivate readers to read…

Describes the technical, experiential, and systemic challenges encountered in computer-assisted writing classes. Discusses the gap between the theoretical benefits and the reality of computer-assisted writing instruction. Offers recommendations for teachers planning syllabi, assignments, and lesson plans for computer-assisted classes. (MM)

Presents six short statements exploring issues of concern to teachers of English and writing: (1) students with no sense of history; (2) overemphasis on research and publication; (3) low morale among faculty; (4) value/contribution of textbooks; (5) test anxiety; and (6) complementing traditional English courses with technical writing. (SR)

Summarizes traditional views about power relations in the workplace and their effects on writing. Tests these assumptions against medieval business correspondence and technical writing in the nuclear power industry. Discusses how these large-scale hierarchical organizational structures profoundly influence written communication. (RS)

Investigates how accurately writers detect violations of the writing rules of Simplified English (SE) and what sorts of mistakes are likely to be made when text is rewritten to conform to SE rules. Concludes that training tools such as the Simplified English Analyser can lessen the writers' difficulties. (SR)

Reviews previous research on advance organizers (introductory text adjuncts intended to provide readers of expository text with a meaningful context within which to process unfamiliar, or difficult, new information). Shows that they inspire significant comprehension increases among readers whose prior knowledge "subsumers" are inadequate to…

Investigates whether advance organizers facilitate the acquisition of subordinate information from text. Examines the influences of reader's background knowledge, advance organizers, relative importance of idea units, and idea units' position within a text structure on the recall of textual information. (SR)

Describes a team assignment in an undergraduate report and proposal writing course in which students analyze a request for proposals. Discusses incorporating collaborative writing groups in the assignment and the grading method. (SR)

Describes how professional communicators are involved in situations which implicate questions of civic and ethical responsibility. Argues that feminist scholarship is a powerful means of understanding these situations. Discusses such theoretical frameworks and areas needing further research. (HB)

Surveys nonnative students in upper-division technical writing courses to assess their opinions about how their native cultures affected their ability to communicate in English. Finds that cultural influence was significant, as was language interference. Suggests that teachers of nonnative students and professionals should design instruction to…

Describes a course in which students learn to write rich, accurate, precise, objective description, develop a sensitivity to honest, uninflated language, and demonstrate these skills by producing an action proposal. Describes the three sections of the course: objective description, lessons in language, and grand proposals. (PRA)

Defines technical writing, the importance of audience awareness, and the fog index. Analyzes examples of technical writing and tips on developing skills such as writing instructions and assembling a model. Offers assignments and projects as well as class activities. (PRA)

This article summarizes procedures used in translating technical jargon in the field of behavior therapy to plain English. It lists phrases translated from applied behavior analysis to public education, presents acronyms useful in remembering sequences of steps, and describes two tests to help in decision making in behavior analysis applications.…

Assists science writers in presenting science news and concepts by identifying (1) three major difficulties lay readers often have in understanding science; (2) the kinds of ideas readers find counterintuitive; (3) ineffective approaches for explaining these notions; and (4) effective strategies that help people understand these difficult ideas…