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…

General discussion of reading instruction in an English-as-a-foreign-language context gives some general hints and guiding principles for teaching intensive reading of journals and professional literature. (four references) (CNP)

Maintains that technical communication curricula occupy valid theoretical positions within English studies. Advocates curricula which emphasize the connections between reading and writing, the historical-cultural contexts underlying communication, and a new rhetoric for technology-based communications and readers with global language skills. (SR)

Maintains that criteria development--the process of creating standards against which to measure options--is not an objective process, but a subjective one in which criteria need to be revised in light of available options. Revises E. Banset and G. Parsons' problem-solving heuristic to more accurately reflect this subjectivity. (SR)

Presents a 140-item annotated bibliography of books, articles, and conference papers on teaching ethics in professional writing. Presents 21 items focusing on theory, 99 items focusing on teaching, 16 items with a teacher focus, and 5 items on related bibliographies. (SR)

Discusses the importance in business communication classes of the "You Attitude" (focusing messages on the interests and needs of the receiver rather than the sender) and "Naturalness" (using everyday wording). Studies their use in actual business correspondence. Finds only 27 percent of the correspondents making satisfactory use of the "You…

Investigates the responding styles of technical writing teachers and of technical editors and supervisors. Finds that teachers usually ask questions rather than suggest or direct. Asserts that teachers might improve their commentary by adapting the responding techniques of technical editors and supervisors, including explicit and systematic usage…

Argues that classroom collaboration is complex, perhaps more complex than collaboration in industry; students need to be trained in leadership and group dynamics and to be informed about the ethical complexity of their task; and instructors must make their expectations clear and state their standards for assessing a group's performance. (SR)

Looks at developments in information delivery (including new interactive media formats, vastly increased channel capacity for standard cable television, and the development of wireless cable and other distribution technologies) that are revolutionizing the communications industry. Raises questions about the role technical communicators are being…

Investigates the need to include computer screens in documentation for software using a graphical user interface. Describes the uses and purposes of "minimal manuals" and their principles. Studies student reaction to their use of one of three on-screen manuals: screens, icon, and button. Finds some benefit for including icon and button…

Studies the philosophy of Paul Feyerabend with regard to the analysis of raw data and the role of prior adherence to theory in such analyses. Uses Feyerabend's philosophy to analyze the space shuttle Challenger disaster in terms of social constructionism. (HB)

Provides small companies with limited resources some suggestions for undertaking a hypertext project. Describes how to create various forms of online documentation systems. (HB)

Examines the field of professional writing, especially its curricular geography, to define and affect its status. Explores the status of professional writing within English departments. Considers the curricular status to which professional writing might aspire. (HB)

Discusses the challenges of designing a Chinese/English Web site in Taiwan for both Chinese- and English-speaking audiences, creating a single, consistent presentation. Explores how the Web-site development team reconciled different audience responses and tackled technological, cultural, and political issues. (SR)

Provides technical training managers with an overview of the range of Web-based training solutions available to their organizations. Defines four broad categories of web-based training programs and characterizes each. Analyzes the most popular type (Web/computer based), and presents four levels of such programs. (RS)