Argues that too little information on audience analysis is available to technical writers and suggests that such analysis should be done in relation to the reader's level of competence and motivation. (TJ)

Indicates that ambiguity, one of the major faults of technical prose, occurs in at least six ways: ambiguity by implication, ambiguous word order, ambiguous words, dangling participles, improper or missing punctuation, and faulty pronoun reference. Suggests cures for each and provides examples for students to discuss and correct. (TJ)

Surveys five basic obstacles frequently faced by the technical writing consultant: establishing goals, extracting information, assimilating information, translating the information into final form, and testing the information. (GW)

Provides sets of alternative answers to 10 situations technical writing consultants often face. Cites pertinent resources that are available. (RL)

Suggests that, while there are some good qualities among today's technical communicators, there are many weaknesses. Suggests some ways to eliminate such weaknesses. (TJ)

Explores the problem of sexist language in written communication. Offers a definition of sexist language, and suggests possible solutions for eliminating sex bias in language. Urges technical writing instructors to address the issue in their classes, noting that sexist language can cause serious problems in efforts to communicate effectively. (MM)

Suggests creating subtle but simple controversial issues and personalities for student assignments to help students consider the problem of audience in technical and business writing. (TJ)

Describes techniques used to help technical writing students eliminate jargon, verbosity, syntactical intricacy, and overuse of the passive voice from their writing. (GW)

Suggests some specific areas in which original work on the rhetoric of scientific and technical communication is needed and points out ways in which this work might be carried out. (Author/GW)

Cites examples of technical writing that demonstrate "cobblestone rhetoric" (the listing of hard, concrete ideas, all of which have the same weight and configuration) and outlines approaches for helping technical writers learn to use narrative flow and full interpretation of detail in their writing. (GW)

Examines the implicit, possibly unintentional, meanings embodied in some technical writing assignments. Discusses the conventions of plain technical writing, which underestimate its potential for communication. (HTH)

Determined types of behavior occurring most often in campus interviews and to which types interviewers react negatively. Lack of confidence, failure to ask key questions, nervous mannerisms, talkativeness, and failure to elaborate on answers were the most common behaviors. Poor attitude and dishonesty were among traits viewed most negatively.(SKC)