Discusses results of a survey of prominent engineers to determine their experience with technical writing and to solicit their opinions about its importance to them, its place in the engineering curriculum, and what should be included in a course in technical writing. (MB)

Indicates that mission statement developers in both corporate and university settings need to improve the readability and the tone of their written statements in order to maximize their organizational image. (NKA)

The first of two articles addressing the issue of user documentation for computer software discusses the need to teach users how to read documentation. The second presents a guide for writing documentation that is based on the instructional systems design model, and makes suggestions for the desktop publishing of user manuals. (CLB)

Presents methods for preparing technical documents on microcomputers by modifying WordStar and using inexpensive software to create scientific symbols and other characters needed. Procedures are described for use with a Zenith A-100 microcomputer and an Epson FX dot matrix printer, and may be adapted for other configurations. (LRW)

Points out that the future of technical writing can be sustained only if teachers persist in setting for technical writing the same standards they apply to other sophisticated modes of writing, and if they require refinement in style as well as accuracy in content. (MS)

Uses a systems approach to organizational theory to argue that technical communicators function as "boundary spanners," who make sense of and disseminate information required for coordination between organizational groups, and for effective responses to the environment. (JAD)

Reviews distinctions between negative and positive letters and summarizes the advice commonly offered for conveying negative messages. Outlines the tenets of Grice's theory of conversational implicature, and discusses sociolinguistic explanations for the use of indirectness in negative messages. Analyzes the texts of several letters, using Grice's…

Argues that since technical and prose writing are both rhetorical discourse, technical writers should use the same devices as prose writers (such as metaphor and humor) and should be as aware of the political, ethical, and moral context of their writing as writers of prose. (ARH)

Describes a word processor-based exercise developed to teach resume writing to technical writing students. (ARH)

Discusses the searching process for students attempting to obtain meaningful information about which to write. Presents methods and benefits of searching which improve students' technical writing. (MS)

Claims self-generated cases overcome the disadvantages of standardized cases by including students' individual needs, interests, and areas of expertise, and by cultivating students' intellectual initiative as they invent original material. (MS)

Suggests having students write a series of business magazine article summaries as part of a journal assignment. (MS)

An anthropologist is urging development of better-defined standards for the evaluation of the writing of ethnographies. (MSE)

Outlines the benefits of being both a teacher and practitioner of technical writing. Provides two detailed examples of teacher/practitioners who have used their dual training to advantage in both areas. (SRT)

Discusses the problem of poor English skills among college students and the need for correct English in business and industrial communication. Presents techniques for improving such skills. (HTH)