Describes the use of black communication style by African Americans in an organized environment. Uses a research method involving a multimethod approach of field data collection using direct observation and semi-structured interviews. Shows that, although the black employees felt they were changing their communication style to fit organizational…

States that 25 years ago, James Carey and John Quirk questioned whether technology would revolutionize communication. Finds that while traveling the information superhighway, people experience "the rhetoric of the electronic sublime." Explores 50 award-winning health messages on the Web; suggests that the traditional concepts of source,…

States that products are tested for usability before they are released, but usually in a lab, an artificial environment. Suggests ways in which ethnographic principles can be used along with traditional usability testing to predict a product's acceptability in the marketplace. (PA)

Considers acupuncture as an increasingly popular alternative medical therapy, but difficult to describe in technical communication. Notes that traditional Chinese medical explanations of acupuncture are unscientific, and that scientific explanations of acupuncture are inconclusive. Finds that technical communicators must translate acupuncture for…

Argues that successful "rightsizing" requires that managers preserve the morale and productivity of the remaining employees. Finds a communication consultant can offer guidance on how to maintain employee morale, help employees perceive the layoffs as fair, take care of employees who have lost their jobs, assist management with layoff…

States that, beginning in the 1850s, authors of American and British scientific/technical publications began to integrate photographs into their texts, with these images often functioning as claims for truth. Presents a technological, cultural, and rhetorical history of published photographs based upon 23 images selected from a review of 40…

Advances the idea that storyboarding, long associated with scriptwriting, advertising, and more recently with technical manuals, can be successfully applied to an even broader variety of technical documents. Applies storyboarding techniques to designing technical proposals to suggest methods of incorporating more visuals into documents, as well as…

Distinguishes between technical writing courses for students expecting to be technical communicators and general service courses. Argues that service course teachers can teach credibly without having worked in nonacademic workplaces if they (1) have command of research into nonacademic writing and rhetorical theory; (2) define technical writing…

States that engineering students, faculty, and administration agree that writing instruction is important in engineering education. Suggests that, as an alternative to technical writing, if students learn how to approach an issue, form an arguable idea, then logically prove it, this deep level of writing/thinking comprehension can be used to…

Argues that a checklist of what is required can help clarify the demands of writing and turn them into manageable items or practice units. Notes that skills involved in designing and applying checklists resemble those required for dealing with writing tasks on campus and/or at work. Focuses on using checklists to improve report writing. Discusses…

States that universities and engineering firms do not generally train engineers in business technical writing, although firms benefit from having engineers who can write clear descriptions of their work. Suggests a program to promote writing skills of engineers and engineering students with limited English skills that involves clear, logical lists…

Offers personal reflections of a professor's long career in technical writing. Looks primarily at technical writing in the university, where most technical writers are now trained and where most theory originates. Recognizes that many improvements in the field have happened because the use of computers makes revision and production of copy easier.…

Reports that, since its beginnings in 1973, the Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication (CPTSC) has grown into a 200-member-strong organization with members from schools, corporations, and 3 foreign countries. Recounts the history of the organization and gives its precepts. (PA)

Finds that, as a task, technical communication has not changed at all in the United Kingdom and Europe, and that, as a professional occupation, it has evolved slowly. Suggests that, as a procedure, however, technical communication has changed dramatically, mostly because electrical and electronic equipment has made life easier for technical…

Considers that, since the textbook is the main teaching tool for instructors, typically teachers select a text based on how well it supports their views of and approach to the subject. Examines pre-1970 texts to see how technical writing has been taught over the years. Examines such features as author's background, contents, assumed reader, and…