Suggests that new computer software enables writers and technicians to compose graphs that rival those made by professionals. Suggests that professional and novice users of such software either intend to distort data and manipulate readers or do so out of ignorance. Describes and illuminates seven types of distortion in graphs. (PA)

Introduces and presents three articles addressing the topic of acquisitions management from the perspective of the acquisitions librarian, administrator, and systems librarian. The need for a collaborative approach to the design, development, and creation of acquisitions management reports is emphasized. (JKP)

Discusses collaborative design in the context of developing a "Toolbook" hypertext intended to introduce graduate students to the fields of rhetoric and professional communication. Examines the new grammar and rhetoric of hypertext, discusses the importance of document planning within an emergent design, and argues for a functional aesthetic. (SR)

Argues that corporate style guides create consistency in documents, promote a professional image, train new employees, and define document generation. Describes how to develop a corporate style guide. (SR)

Discusses changes in the nature of an editor's work, resulting from computers, contract work, competition with computers, and forced collaboration. (SR)

Discusses four basic categories of restrictions within which the video script writer works: purpose, time, budget, and resources. Discusses how these variables work together to force creation of a document that can be produced. (SR)

Discusses "little nothings"--a paragraph that pretends to give information but only alludes to or implies needed action. Presents examples of little nothings in a marketing flier for a filter. Discusses the role of the technical writer in translating the little nothings into clear, readable text. Discusses ethical issues. (RS)

Points out that most technical communication groups within larger organizations are considered support organizations. Argues that, by moving from the support model to a services model based on entrepreneurial ideas, these groups are better able to place value on the work they produce by setting themselves up as development groups to pitch bids and…

Describes a study in which drug information leaflets given to patients were improved in two ways, first by adding a short introductory paragraph on the nature of side effects generally, and second by adjusting frequency descriptors to more accurately reflect pretesting of the drug. Explains that participants in the study were less likely to…

Discusses the assumptions underlying the training of technical translators versus technical translation, and their differing notions of quality. Addresses integrating translation and documentation, implications for training, and cross-cultural procedures. (SR)

Examines the frequency and discourse functions of 752 active transitive clauses in a 66,500-word corpus of 16 research articles in the physical sciences. Finds the overall rate of actives was only 34%, the choice of active voice was often dictated by the demands of information structure, and that the specific discourse functions of active clauses…

Describes a series of studies on form redesign which used usability testing to test a particular tax form. Describes testing practitioners and tax payers, the redesigning of the form, the testing of the revised form, and the value of conducting usability tests. (SR)

Discusses writing of United States Navy personnel to support the wide usefulness of the rhetorical concept of ethos. Shows how the concept is applied within a variety of naval contexts, from naval personnel evaluations to ship-repair reports. Discusses the Tailhook episode to show how lack of understanding of ethos can have adverse effects on the…

Explains and exemplifies terminal modifiers in the context of technical writing. Examines representative technical reports and finds that increased attention to terminal modifiers (especially the absolute, the summarizing appositive, and the nonparticipial adjective phrase) would significantly increase options for effective expression. (SR)

Presents technical communication as both discipline and profession. Explores the nature of research, discusses linking theory with practice, examines the gap between theory and practice, challenges conventional wisdom about the applicability of research, and offers suggestions for bridging the gap. (SR)