In undergraduate biology laboratory courses, laboratory reports can be a useful tool for teaching scientific writing, integration of source material, and information literacy; however, these teaching objectives are at times undermined by students' plagiarism. Laboratory instructors often use similarity-matching software to detect plagiarism in…

This article explores how the English language contributes to cross-boundary communication failure and establishes that there is an "English language problem" that has not been adequately addressed in preparing United States native English-speaking students for international technical communication tasks. For example, U.S. technical communication…

As more universities offer academic composition and technical writing courses via virtual classrooms, our institutions are also being asked to accommodate an increasingly diverse student population. The success of disability accommodations in elementary and secondary schools is expanding the number of students with special needs academically…

Introduces the idea of a smart documentation system (SDS). Argues that an SDS will be more useful for providing interface that allows the user to describe problems using natural language. Describes a computational linguistic system that could provide the basis for such an interface, and the basic design of an SDS that would incorporate such an…

Outlines the fields that can contribute research results to a theoretical understanding of broad goals that can govern design choices in on-line documentation. Suggests five theoretical precepts and pulls together research pertinent to the four main forms of on-line documentation: tutorials, assistance, messages, and modes of control. (HTH)

Discusses the capabilities and limitations of 10 computer programs that analyze writing style. Describes the mechanisms by which these programs read a text, analyze the writing style, and offer suggestions for improving writing style. (KEH)

Examines the collegiate version of "Writer's Workbench" (a computer program that analyzes the surface elements of students' writing and provides feedback to assist in revision) on the writing of sophomore technical writing students. Concludes that "Writer's Workbench" can be an effective but limited tool for technical writing…

Investigates the need to include computer screens in documentation for software using a graphical user interface. Describes the uses and purposes of "minimal manuals" and their principles. Studies student reaction to their use of one of three on-screen manuals: screens, icon, and button. Finds some benefit for including icon and button…

While the importance of "expressive writing," or informal, self-directed writing, has been well established, teachers underutilize it, particularly in technical writing courses. We introduce the term expressive/exploratory technical writing (XTW), which is the use of informal, self-directed writing to problem-solve in technical fields. We describe…

Claims that the development process for computer software can be greatly aided by the writers of specifications if they employ basic iteration and prototyping techniques. Asserts that computer software configuration management practices provide ready models for iteration and prototyping. (HB)

Reviews pertinent research and suggests theoretical precepts that can serve as guiding principles in making decisions about the design of on-line documentation. (FL)

Discussion of how to report writing skills highlights a computer program designed to provide feedback on the communicative effectiveness of students' written reports; presents an example of the typical feedback format which the program provides; and reviews students' reactions to computer assisted feedback. (MBR)

Presents 48 annotations of journal articles reporting research on using computers to teach technical and business writing published between 1984 and 1990. Arranges it to assist teachers in incorporating this research in the classroom. Covers past research, effect of computers on student attitudes, use of word processors, collaborative writing with…

Presents a combination review and teaching guide to HOMER, a computer program for writing instruction that analyzes text and has a feedback feature which encourages students to question its revision suggestions. (NKA)

This study analyzes the performance and attitudes of technical writing students in PowerPoint-enhanced and in non-PowerPoint lectures. Four classes of upper-level undergraduates (n = 84) at a mid-sized, Southern university taking a one-semester technical writing course were surveyed at the beginning and end of the course about their perceptions of…