Showing papers in "Journal of Technical Writing and Communication in 1986"
TL;DR: In this article, the effets des tetes de chapitres (des titres), des exposes preliminaires and des plans avec suites logiques sur les lecteurs and leur niveau de comprehension of la prose technique are presented.
Abstract: Cet article presente les effets des tetes de chapitres (des titres), des exposes preliminaires et des plans avec suites logiques sur les lecteurs et leur niveau de comprehension de la prose technique. On analyse tour a tour l'efficacite de ces techniques d'expose
26 citations
TL;DR: An overview of the major theoretical schools that have some importance for these fields and discusses their implications for the design and preparation of referential texts are offered.
Abstract: The underlying principles of graphic theory have been largely ignored by the technical and scientific communication community. This impatience with theory creates numerous problems for readers of t...
14 citations
TL;DR: With the concept of usability as their guiding principle, writers in the computer industry can assess the appropriateness of metaphoric terminology by applying seven criteria: 1) is a metaphoric term needed? 2) is the old word familiar? 3) Is the metaphoric relation close? 4)Is the usage of the word consistent?
Abstract: Well-selected metaphoric terminology can reduce the fear and ignorance that often dishearten first-time computer users and can help them grasp new concepts and procedures. Many people are amused by...
13 citations
TL;DR: Analysis of the structures and linguistic signaling of many forms of comparison in technical advertising and new-product announcements shows comparative cohesion by co-hyponyms is shown to be the central feature of co-associative cohesion between separate features of competing products.
Abstract: Extracts from technical advertising and new-product announcements are used as the basis for analysis of the structures and linguistic signaling of many forms of comparison. Based initially on descriptive texts, the analysis also explains problem-solving texts with and without comparison; and comparative texts are seen to include implicit differences or overt comparison as “knocking” copy. Comparative cohesion by co-hyponyms is shown to be the central feature of co-associative cohesion between separate features of competing products, and clause-relating matching relations are explained in these terms. The concept of improvement is discussed in terms of problem-solving, difference and the matching relations of comparative denial. Final notes are provided regarding the significance of this work to the developing paradigm of technical writing.
11 citations
TL;DR: Metaphor is best conceived not as a textual feature, but as a product of readers responding to texts as discussed by the authors, and metaphors help readers perform certain physical and mental operations in technical discourse.
Abstract: Metaphor is best conceived not as a textual feature, but as a product of readers responding to texts. In technical discourse, metaphors help readers perform certain physical and mental operations. ...
7 citations
6 citations
TL;DR: This article interprets research in linguistics and psychology in order to revise and enlarge existing definitions of readability and suggests instructional methods for teaching students to compose more coherent—and, hence, more readable—technical writing.
Abstract: This article interprets research in linguistics and psychology in order to revise and enlarge existing definitions of readability. It suggests instructional methods for teaching students to compose more coherent—and, hence, more readable—technical writing. For a text to be readable, it must be coherent. However, like readability, coherence is variable, depending on the writer and the reader as well as the text itself. The reader is able to understand a message by relying on his shared knowledge with the writer. A starting place for comprehension, cultural and professional knowledge and linguistic knowledge allow readers to set up expectations about a text and to read efficiently. Because accommodating shared knowledge is vital to readable writing, we should teach students how to assess typical audiences and compose in forms routinely used for technical documents. With practice in audience analysis, students learn to accommodate a reader's professional and cultural knowledge. With practice in traditional organizational patterns, stylistic imitation of readable writing, they learn to accommodate common expectations about language and form.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a concept of relevance in technical writing, relevance involves an awareness of time: the report deals with the past; the manual, with the present; the proposal with the future.
Abstract: As a concept of rhetoric in technical writing, relevance involves an awareness of time. The report deals with the past; the manual, with the present; the proposal, with the future. To be considered...
5 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a parallelemy existent entre le discours scientifique and litteraire: l'esthetique et l'usage de metaphores, which S. J. Gould met en exergue dans ses essais sur la science de la forme.
Abstract: Deux paralleles existent entre le discours scientifique et litteraire: l'esthetique et l'usage de metaphores, que S. J. Gould met en exergue dans ses essais sur la science de la forme. Il se place consecutivement comme lecteur scientifique puis comme ecrivain, en montrant dans les deux cas les qualites d'imagination que les sciences et la litterature partagent
5 citations
TL;DR: By paying attention to the overall rhetorical situation, manual writers will surely produce better manuals, and this rhetorical analysis of several computer manuals shows that writers should also consider genre, subject, and writer's purpose.
Abstract: Writing good computer manuals for beginners is a demanding job. Recently, rhetoricians have advised manual writers who want to write better manuals to consider the audience (computer users) carefully. However, my rhetorical analysis of several computer manuals shows that writers should also consider genre, subject, and writer's purpose. I also found that, while some writers accommodate their rhetorical situation, they may do it unconsciously, given the inconsistency of their rhetorical choices. In conclusion, by paying attention to the overall rhetorical situation, manual writers will surely produce better manuals.
4 citations
TL;DR: The author suggests that small, problem-oriented doses of modern grammar may help students and professionals alike to better understand the intricacies of textual English.
Abstract: Most technical writing texts contain grammar reviews, but few supply more than prescriptive rules to correct persistent examples of unclear writing. To provide a more progressive approach to grammatical analysis, this article applies the non-prescriptive constructs of modern grammar to the recurrent problem of faulty pronoun reference. Grammatical problems often arise because pronouns serve both as form-class and as structure-class words, because they often must agree in case, person, gender, and number with antecedents, and because the pronoun it is often misunderstood as an expletiv. The author suggests that small, problem-oriented doses of modern grammar may help students and professionals alike to better understand the intricacies of textual English.
TL;DR: In this article, conditions de travail and objectifs atteints par un groupe temoin de 24 membres de la faculte de communication technique de l'Universite were discussed.
Abstract: Etude des conditions de travail et des objectifs atteints par un groupe temoin de 24 membres de la faculte de communication technique de l'Universite. L'ensemble fournit, sur une base empirique, des criteres d'evaluation de ce qu'on peut attendre de ce type d'organisme
TL;DR: In this article, the authors review the Westley-Maclean communication model and provide an example of the model within a technical commu- cation within a software engineering journal.
Abstract: Many scholars call for systematic empirical research in technical writing. This article reviews the Westley-MacLean communication model and provides an example of the model within a technical commu...
TL;DR: In this article, a stylistic analysis of scientific and technical prose reveals that technical and non-technical expository prose share a number of common characteristics; consequently, common assumptions about a cle...
Abstract: Stylistic analysis of scientific and technical prose reveals that technical and non-technical expository prose share a number of common characteristics; consequently, common assumptions about a cle...
TL;DR: Arthur J. Deikman's model of bimodal consciousness is described and its application in the technical writing classroom is shown.
Abstract: Despite the fact that technical writers try to maintain an objective outlook, they cannot ignore the psychological states of consciousness that influence their writing. Arthur J. Deikman's theory of bimodal consciousness outlines two psychological states: active and emotive (or receptive). Writers must maintain a balance between the receptive state and the active, striving state to prevent writer's block and to enhance creativity, just as scientists balance mathematical (i.e., lexical or verbal) thinking with physics-related thinking. This article describes Deikman's model and shows its application in the technical writing classroom.
TL;DR: It is argued in this article for the complexity and importance of the editing process and the writer-editor relationship and the study suggests that revising and editing may be equally complex tasks.
Abstract: Some theoreticians and practitioners view editing as a superficial task, often no more than the mindless following of a set of prescriptive rules for grammar, syntax, and style. In addition, the editor-author relationship is typically perceived as an interaction between an editor and words. However, drawing upon rhetoric and cognitive psychology, I argue in this article for the complexity and importance of the editing process and the writer-editor relationship. This perspective is tentatively supported by a study of the revising and editing patterns of professional and experienced writers. The study suggests that revising and editing may be equally complex tasks. Further, the complexity increases if editors and authors discuss their changes as opposed to legislating them. Several methods for imparting this perspective and related knowledge to students are discussed.
TL;DR: This article offers simple devices for eliminating the generic use of male pronouns and man and provides alternate terms for common sex-biased expressions.
Abstract: Recent psycholinguistic research has challenged the view that English speakers interpret the male pronouns and the generic man as words that refer to both males and females. The suggested ambiguity of these terms is of concern to technical communicators because it can affect the accuracy of their messages. Since guidelines for avoiding sex ambiguity in language are not generally available in technical writing or speech manuals, this article offers simple devices for eliminating the generic use of male pronouns and man. It also provides alternate terms for common sex-biased expressions.
TL;DR: Among the many principles that writers can learn from programming are: models save money, quality demands maintainability, and communication is control: readers must be prevented from getting lost.
Abstract: Complicated documents often affect readers the way computer programs affect computers; technical writers are prone to many of the same serious errors that plague programmers. Among the many principles that writers can learn from programming are: 1) Models save money: it is far more economical to develop detailed outlines and mockups than to improvise from a vague outline. 2) Quality demands maintainability: every complicated document will need frequent revision, and only documents designed for ease of change will be kept current. 3) The trouble is in the interfaces: the procedures and tasks in a manual are not as error-prone as the rules for moving from part to part of the book itself. 4) Readers are subject to the laws of physics: many publication economies produce documents that defy the physical powers of the reader. 5) Communication is control: readers must be prevented from getting lost.
TL;DR: In this paper, quelques scientifiques ont reussi a introduire dans leur prose, des figures rhetoriques telles que l'anagramme, l'acrostiche, le calembour, la metaphore, la litote and le neologisme.
Abstract: Contrairement a l'artiste litteraire, l'ecrivain scientifique est sense transmettre l'information aussi precisement et clairement que possible. Cependant, quelques scientifiques ont reussi a introduire dans leur prose, des figures rhetoriques telles que l'anagramme, l'acrostiche, le calembour, la metaphore, la litote et le neologisme
TL;DR: Les techniques de redaction technique oscillent entre la forme de lessai (ou les faits sont subordonnes aux idees developpees) and celle du rapport as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Les techniques de redaction technique oscillent entre la forme de l'essai (ou les faits sont subordonnes aux idees developpees) et celle du rapport (ou les faits predominent). Elles s'apparentent a la fois aux techniques de redaction utilisees en sciences humaines et a celles pronees par le journalisme
TL;DR: Writing in the computer industry most likely provides the greatest challenges for technical communicators, and this article looks at the frustrations, challenges, and rewards of writing in such an environment.
Abstract: Writing in the computer industry most likely provides the greatest challenges for technical communicators. The technology changes rapidly, and there are few established models of how communication products should be written. There are even fewer established models of how communication departments should be run. This article looks at the frustrations, challenges, and rewards of writing in such an environment.
TL;DR: This paper trained managers on how to manage the writing process and found that simply sending reports back to employees with a sarcastic note to “get it right” does little to build writing skill and confidence.
Abstract: American business is now responsible for training an entire generation of poorly skilled writers. While brief writing seminars may help, the real cure begins with training managers on how to manage the writing process. They need to see the link between good writing and good leadership. Simply sending reports back to employees with a sarcastic note to “get it right” does little to build writing skill and confidence. Managers also need strategies for working with employees. These strategies extend from simple revising techniques to the use of sophisticated computer programs.
TL;DR: The format of the business letter reflects the necessary adjustments that writers must make to communicate successfully in the written medium and students no longer view the format as arbitrary and ad hoc.
Abstract: The format of the business letter reflects the necessary adjustments that writers must make to communicate successfully in the written medium. The heading, inside address, salutation, complimentary...
TL;DR: A method for storing anticipated instructional comments in computer memory and retrieving those comments for the purpose of providing both evaluative and reinforcing feedback to students is described.
Abstract: The computer's ability to store and process large volumes of material can be very helpful in writing criticism and evaluation. By using this technological capability, evaluative decisions made by an instructor can be processed quickly and transformed into typewritten commentary. This article describes a method for storing anticipated instructional comments in computer memory and retrieving those comments for the purpose of providing both evaluative and reinforcing feedback to students. In this manner, the computer aids the instructor by improving the speed of encoding those comments into written form.
TL;DR: There was no significant difference in attitude scores between graphic and nongraphic treatment groups at the .05 level, and the relationship of student attitude using graphic enhanced versus nong Graphic enhanced computer-based instruction was evaluated.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of student attitude using graphic enhanced versus nongraphic enhanced computer-based instruction. Four intact groups were randomly assigned treatment. Two groups received graphic instruction and two groups received nongraphic computer-based instruction. An attitude questionnaire was administered to evaluate student attitude toward the graphic and nongraphic computer-based instruction. Results of t-tests indicated there was no significant difference in attitude scores between graphic and nongraphic treatment groups at the .05 level.
TL;DR: Examining of shape analogs serves as a useful microcosm of language development because shape imagery is a facet of language that remains quite impervious to computer analysis and translation.
Abstract: The concept of shape is commonly conveyed in scientific and technical fields by reference to pre-existing images presumably familiar to both writer and reader. Such images are drawn from a wide variety of sources which include geometrical images, shape images from nature and simple technology, and from familiar arbitrary forms such as the alphabet. Shape images in language continue to be invented, and provide both analogs for expression and analogs for thought. Once a term is established, it ceases to function as an analog. Examination of shape analogs serves as a useful microcosm of language development. Shape imagery is a facet of language that remains quite impervious to computer analysis and translation.