Examines how conflicts between management and workers over division of labor are enacted in two manuals--the official manual operationalizing Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations and a "translation" of the official manual--governing tax examiners' work in an IRS Service Center. Finds that systemic differences between the manuals…

Explores how an understanding of the nature and purposes of reports may help women gain recognition for accomplishments, both in conventional business settings and within feminized professions and spheres of activity. Uses a case study of report writing in a club to illustrate how work reports can provide a vehicle for elevating the perceived…

States that although internships are routine components of technical communication programs, they can offer excellent professional opportunities to English majors who do not plan academic careers. Finds that internships can enhance enrollments and retention in the English program; build credibility of the English curriculum in the nonacademic…

Presents and explains a model for an executive summary which presents correct written information to a business decision maker in an appropriate, readable, useful form. (SR)

Argues that Shoshana Zuboff's 1988 book, "In the Age of the Smart Machine: The Future of Work and Power," offers important insights for the "informated" workplace, where computers are used to automate work processes and provide vast quantities of information about processes, products, and people. Discusses how advances in technology have caused…

Outlines how technical communicators can use the five "W" questions approach--a core element of journalism--in the audience analysis phase of designing information to help ensure that the information meets the audience's needs. (SR)

Argues that online indexing has great potential as a tool for information retrieval, and can be most effective when approached as a combination of traditional indexing and computer search capabilities. Argues that a good online index is specifically designed to be searched. Offers an overview of how to design such an online index. (SR)

Describes how engineering students at a Midwestern university submit final drafts of senior design projects for area businesses and industries in commercial-style formats (rather than in academic formats). Argues that this not only increases the scope and responsibility of writing instruction, but also better prepares students to adapt to…

Outlines the technical writing tutorial (TWT) that precedes an advanced English as a second language (ESL) writing course for students of English Philology at the Jagiellonian University, Poland. Finds a statistically significant increase in the performance of the students who had taken the TWT. Indicates that technical writing books and journals…

Presents a case study that outlines the growth and development of TECHWR-L, a listserv for professional technical communicators. Discusses some of the more controversial aspects of the list. Outlines how TECHWR-L, or some other focused forum, could prove an even more valuable resource for the profession. (RS)

Describes a process-oriented methodology for World Wide Web information development that takes into account the characteristics and qualities of the Web. Suggests that much of the information deployed on the Web is poorly structured, and technical communicators can play a significant role in improving the quality of information on the Web. (RS)

Examines significant new business proposal efforts for United States Department of Defense contracts. Identifies six "pillars" of a contractor's proposal preparation costs. Derives a formula that characterizes proposal preparation costs. Demonstrates that a quick, accurate cost model can be developed for proposal publishing. (RS)

Describes the influence that Extensible Markup Language (XML) will have on the software documentation process and subsequently on the curricula of advanced undergraduate and master's programs in technical communication. Recommends how curricula of advanced undergraduate and master's programs in technical communication ought to change in order to…

Notes that online communication technology makes intercultural communication faster and more direct than was ever before possible, but, in doing so, it may also amplify cultural rhetorical differences. Proposes that communication researchers need to compare the communication patterns noted in the computer-mediated communication (CMC) literature…

Describes literacy autobiographies gathered from 55 professional communicators participating on the Techwr-l listserv, focusing on the large-scale trends that these autobiographies reveal. Supplements findings with case studies of a faculty member, a professional communicator, and two students of different backgrounds majoring in technical…