Showing papers in "Journal of Technical Writing and Communication in 2013"
TL;DR: Evidence for a positive relationship between participation in service learning and technical writing learning outcomes is found and qualitative analysis suggests that service learning in online technical writing courses helps students to make connections to the “real world,” encourages students to connect with their audience(s) and develop a sense of purpose for writing tasks.
Abstract: This mixed-methods experimental study examined the effect of service learning in a distance education technical writing course. Quantitative analysis of data found evidence for a positive relationship between participation in service learning and technical writing learning outcomes. Additionally, qualitative analysis suggests that service learning in online technical writing courses helps students to make connections to the “real world,” encourages students to connect with their audience(s) and develop a sense of purpose for writing tasks, connects students to future employment, and develops deep learning with course materials. It is hypothesized that these factors support the development of learning outcomes in distance education students.
46 citations
TL;DR: This study used a quantitative literature review to determine what design principles are mentioned most often in discourse on design, and a card sorting exercise to explore the relationships designers, design educators, and design students saw among the most common design principles.
Abstract: Many books, designers, and design educators talk about visual design principles such as balance, contrast, and alignment, but with little consistency. This study uses empirical methods to explore the lore surrounding design principles. The study took the form of two stages: a quantitative literature review to determine what design principles are mentioned most often in discourse on design, and a card sorting exercise to explore the relationships designers, design educators, and design students saw among the most common design principles. Along with the card sorting exercise, I used pre- and post-exercise surveys to gauge how participants felt and thought about design principles and their use in design practice.
44 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that storytelling can be used as a pedagogical tool to help students think more critically about the (sometimes hidden) relationships that policywork inheres.
Abstract: Within a Technical Communication classroom, policywork has been used to teach students the vital discursive and conceptual skills valued by technical fields. However, given the move of technical communicators into the public sphere, these skills can and should be expanded to include diverse practices and modes of thought. As such, this article suggests that storytelling can be used as a pedagogical tool to help students think more critically about the (sometimes hidden) relationships that policywork inheres. This article articulates relational work as a target skills set for students and suggests specific activities and handouts for developing these skills.
29 citations
TL;DR: The authors argue that corporate social media policies create constrained agency in two ways: they establish contradictory expectations for a writer's voice by requesting both individual and corporate-friendly voices, and they create a seemingly paradoxical situation where employees both do and do not represent the company.
Abstract: Corporate social media policies construct what Herndl and Licona term “constrained agency,” an ambiguous, contradictory agent function. Drawing on an analysis of 31 corporate social media policies, this article argues that these policies create constrained agency in two ways: they establish contradictory expectations for a writer's voice by requesting both individual and corporate-friendly voices, and they create a seemingly paradoxical situation where employees both do and do not represent the company. These policies shed light on the complex constructions of agency within corporations and encapsulate the workplace tensions that accompany the affordances of social media tools.
17 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors have continuously made efforts to look for effective teaching approaches for cross-cultural business and technical communication; however, little re-evaluation has been done.
Abstract: Scholars in business and technical communication have continuously made efforts to look for effective teaching approaches for cross-cultural business and technical communication; however, little re...
13 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors bring together the communication needs and positioning of women in technical areas, and ask how technical communication classes contribute to the mentoring of young women engineers at a time when many of those women want to be identified as engineers instead of being spotlighted as women in engineering.
Abstract: This article brings together the communication needs and positioning of women in technical areas, and asks “how can technical communication classes contribute to the mentoring of young women engineers at a time when many of those women want to be identified as engineers instead of being spotlighted as women in engineering?” Incorporating research into mentoring for women in engineering, and feminist approaches to mentoring in general, we adopt Heath and Heath's strategy in Switch, instituting small changes in technical communication classes (and sometimes their infrastructures) that target a mentoring problem—i.e., talk about time—with the hope of flipping a switch toward larger changes. Thus, the article demonstrates two tactics that we can use to deliver improvement in managing the discourse surrounding time and its deadlines. Our approach both mentors undergraduate women in more actively and effectively discussing and scheduling their work without singling them out as women and also integrates good men...
11 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined communication management issues of emergency aid following natural disasters and found that the importance of enhancing communication elements in the pre-disaster phase was a strong finding, while in response stage, the differential role of various media, including old technologies in poor regions, emerged as an issue.
Abstract: This article examines communication management issues of emergency aid following natural disasters. Ten aid workers involved in the 2010 Port-au-Prince earthquake relief were interviewed and surveyed while they were still "in the field" to determine their understanding of the role of communication in the relief effort. The analysis was framed using the three-stage process (pre-disaster, response, post-disaster). Analysis of their responses showed that there are still chronic problems in each of the stages. The importance of enhancing communication elements in the pre-disaster phase was a strong finding. In the response stage, the differential role of various media, including old technologies in poor regions, emerged as an issue. Organizational factors such as high staff turnover were also seen as nega· lively affecting communication efficacy. An important finding about the post-disaster stage is the importance of debriefing.
10 citations
TL;DR: The effects of globalization on communication products and processes have resulted in document features and interactional practices that are sometimes difficult to describe within current theoretical frameworks of inter/transcultural technical communication as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The effects of globalization on communication products and processes have resulted in document features and interactional practices that are sometimes difficult to describe within current theoretical frameworks of inter/transcultural technical communication. Although it has been recognized in our field that the old theoretical frameworks and assumptions are no longer adequate by themselves in the global workplace, to date no comprehensive theoretical framework has been suggested that is capable of encompassing hybrid characteristics of transcultural technical communication that emerge as a result of increased contact and connectivity. This article provides an interdisciplinary overview of Cosmopolitan theory and suggests that applying the cosmopolitan framework of Ulrich Beck to our research and the Dialogical Cosmopolitanism approach of Suresh Canagarajah to our pedagogical practices can move us towards a deeper understanding of global phenomena.
10 citations
TL;DR: This study tries to put forth the idea of globalization of metaphoric meaning in computer science and its influence upon the users and at the same time propose some possible alternatives to the computer writers and decision-makers both in global and local levels in order for the user metaphoric awareness being promoted.
Abstract: It is a well-attested fact among the academia that the terminology and discourse of computer science is pervaded with metaphors. Yet, almost all the studies on metaphor application in computer science have approached the issue of the metaphor use and its influence on the user-computer interaction from an intralingual stance leaving the field of literature related to this subject with a lacking for the adoption of an interlingual attitude. The question is whether metaphor is as extensively far-reaching in its influence among the computer users across the globe as it has been pervasive in its use in computer discourse? This study, through drawing the scholars' attention to the significance of user metaphoric awareness in the receptor communities regarding the recognition of any metaphoric application based upon the notion of transparency or opacity of metaphoric meaning in terms of the user's command of the language in use in computer science, tries to put forth the idea of globalization of metaphoric meani...
8 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the internal diffusion of new ideas that are largely dependent upon faculty culture and communication networks on one campus, using interviews with faculty members, administrators, technology transfer office personnel, licensees, and spin-off company administrators.
Abstract: Faculty culture and communication networks are pivotal components of technology transfer on university campuses. Universities are focused upon diffusing technology to external clients and upon building structure and support systems to enhance technology transfer. However, engaging faculty members in technology transfer requires an internal diffusion of new ideas that are largely dependent upon faculty culture. New policies, structures, and support staff help to promote technology transfer ideologically, but are of little use if faculty researchers avoid involvement because of more intangible factors. The current study investigates this internal diffusion on one campus, using interviews with faculty members, administrators, technology transfer office personnel, licensees, and spin-off company administrators. Results show that faculty culture concerning technology transfer is dependent upon informal communication networks, principles of diffusion, history, and social interaction.
7 citations
TL;DR: In the last two decades, the nations that once comprised the Soviet Union have begun to play an increasingly important role in the global economy as mentioned in this paper, as a result, today's technical and professional co...
Abstract: Over the last 2 decades, the nations that once comprised the Soviet Union have begun to play an increasingly important role in the global economy. As a result, today's technical and professional co...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the emerging social networking culture and identify possible constructs that can be used to predict social networking behavior that may then be tested in a future study, and examine the utility of using the lens of national culture versus using other lenses.
Abstract: Building on the authors' prior studies that investigate uses and perceptions of online social networks, this study critically explores the emerging social networking culture. In doing so, the research seeks to identify possible constructs that can be used to predict social networking behavior that may then be tested in a future study. The study relies on multiple user perspectives, drawing its participants from international students at two universities, one in Australia and one in the United States. Throughout this process, the utility of using the lens of national culture versus using other lenses is also examined. While the qualitative data suggests somewhat divergent approaches to social networking in different countries, a number of common themes were also identified. Two themes which appeared across national boundaries were changes in use over time and privacy and trust.
TL;DR: The Association of Technical Writers and Editors (TWE) was founded by Elsie Ray, a research librarian at Anaconda Copper Mining Company, who was the prime mover in the effort to organize the TWE as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Elsie Ray, a research librarian at Anaconda Copper Mining Company, was the prime mover in the effort to organize the Association of Technical Writers and Editors (TWE), one of the organizations tha...
TL;DR: The 2010 Citizens Clean Elections Voter Education Guide as discussed by the authors, a document made available to the Arizona public prior to the 2010 state General elections, can be implicated in the production and reproduction of a discursive process that further constructs a degraded notion of both undocumented individuals and immigration.
Abstract: This “essay” (article) is a close and critical look at The 2010 Citizens Clean Elections Voter Education Guide, a document made available to the Arizona public prior to the 2010 state General elections. Though the guide is described as “a nonpartisan, plain-language handbook” by its authors, it can be implicated in the production and reproduction of a discursive process that further constructs a degraded notion of both undocumented individuals and immigration. Many of the politicians that published statements in the guide continually associate undocumented immigrants and immigration with both the use of firearms and with crime in general. Additionally, I find that the majority of politicians in this document perpetuate this demeaning, violent, and inaccurate discourse for personal political gain. In conclusion, I argue for the expanded role of education concerning the effects of discursive forces in the United States.
TL;DR: The nature of good scientific voice is meditated upon as it analyzes examples of student writing to show improvements made through specific stylistic techniques.
Abstract: Many science students believe that scientific writing is most impressive (and most professionally acceptable) when impersonal, dense, complex, and packed with jargon. In particular, they have the i...
TL;DR: The authors examines the influential Chinese science book Brush Talks from Dream Brook, written by Shen Kuo in the 11th century, and suggests that the book reveals a tension between institutionalized science and science in the public, and a gap between the making of scientific knowledge and the communication of such knowledge to the general public.
Abstract: This article examines the influential Chinese science book Brush Talks from Dream Brook, written by Shen Kuo in the 11th century. I suggest that Brush Talks reveals a tension between institutionalized science and science in the public, and a gap between the making of scientific knowledge and the communication of such knowledge to the general public. In writing Brush Talks, Shen preserved and popularized grassroots science and technology in the most respected medium of his time—the printed book. In the article, I ask what formal elements of this book reveal about the choices Shen made as a literati author to connect to his primary readers, most of which were middle and lower class lay audiences. As I will argue, he used three approaches that aided him in speaking to the public about science and technology—an ethnographic approach to knowledge, innovative uses of genre, and a straightforward writing style.
TL;DR: Metonymy—the process of representing a concept with an associated element or feature—is a useful strategy for encapsulating or alluding to a larger idea without fully stating it, but readers must recognize and be able to compensate for the information that has been omitted.
Abstract: Metonymy—the process of representing a concept with an associated element or feature—is a useful strategy for encapsulating or alluding to a larger idea without fully stating it. For metonymies to be successful, however, readers must recognize and be able to compensate for the information that has been omitted. Metonymic omissions can pose a barrier to readers, even in texts that are written in plain language, largely because metonymies operate indirectly: first, by prompting readers to infer information that is not provided; second, by constraining meaning rather than specifying it; and third, by requiring readers to possess the insider knowledge and values of a particular discourse community. These barriers are compounded by the fact that frequently used metonymies become so commonplace that their users may not even be able to detect, let alone address, these omissions.
TL;DR: Stalin's government received information about the political and economic situation in the countryside through the reports prepared by the security service VChK-OGPU-NKVD as discussed by the authors, which revealed that...
Abstract: Stalin's government received information about the political and economic situation in the countryside through the reports prepared by the security service VChK-OGPU-NKVD. This article reveals that...
TL;DR: The authors traces Renaissance and post-Renaissance technical writers' use of classical rhetoric in English instruction manuals on the sport of falconry and suggests the origins through which these classical rhetorical techniq...
Abstract: This study traces Renaissance and post-Renaissance technical writers' use of classical rhetoric in English instruction manuals on the sport of falconry. A study of the period's five prominent falconry manuals written by four authors—George Turberville, Simon Latham, Edmund Bert, and Richard Blome—reveals these technical writers' conscious use of classical rhetoric as an important technique to persuade readers to accept these authors' authority and trust the information they were disseminating. These manuals employed several classical rhetorical techniques: invention by using ethos and several classical topics, classical arrangement, the plain style, and adaptation of the orator's duties. The explanation for this classical influence rests in the authors' own knowledge of classical rhetoric derived from sources such as Thomas Wilson, as well as the sources from whom these authors obtained their knowledge of falconry. The article ends by suggesting the origins through which these classical rhetorical techniq...
TL;DR: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction by Jack Hart as mentioned in this paper provides no-nonsense tips, practical advice, and useful examples for crafting a well-developed story for nonfiction writing.
Abstract: Compositionists often have a bookshelf of go-to texts, whether resource or handbook, narrative, or memoir, that they use to hone their craft. In the wealth of titles available, it’s hard to determine which to use and for what purpose—and it can be difficult for new titles to slip in among the classics. Yet even among all the thousands of titles available, Storycraft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction by Jack Hart deserves a space on any writer’s shelf, as it provides no-nonsense tips, practical advice, and useful examples for crafting a welldeveloped story. Because, while Storycraft is geared toward nonfiction writing, there truly is something in here for every writer, regardless of genre or area of expertise. Part narrative and part handbook, Storycraft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction can be consumed cover to cover or by flipping through to relevant sections to find specific advice on everything from character development to scene construction. Author Jack Hart’s creative play of words, unique examples, and specific and clear-headed advice offers expert and novice compositionists alike the chance to learn how to put all of the components of strong nonfiction narrative together into a potentially award-winning piece. And he should know; Hart himself has won several composition awards in teaching,