This paper details an assignment sequence that requires graduate students in an applied communication program to identify problems that clients may not be aware of. Good writing and good problem-solving are "inextricably linked to [a student's] ability to frame an issue, gather, and analyze information, and to structure a helpful response" (Musso,…

Offers advice on structuring the college technical writing course. (RL)

Examines the four steps a technical writing teacher should follow in organizing the technical writing course and in allowing for adjustments during the course. (RL)

Reports the findings of a survey of members of the American Business Communication Association on the administration policies, course requirements, grading criteria, and staffing of business communication courses in their schools. (HTH)

Presents a more practical orientation for the composition classroom that would allow technical students to demonstrate and improve competency in the realm of technical employment while at the same time improving their written communication skills. (HTH)

Current changes in health care professions requiring practitioners to have more and better communications skills are necessitating the integration of writing into the health curricula of higher education programs. At Ferris State University, a number of models (in Optometry, Dental Hygiene, Health Systems Management, Nursing, Pharmacy, Medical…

Describes a technical writing course built around student-designed projects. Argues that the course allows students to address worthwhile problems and to research and present their material in proposals, feasibility studies, research reports, and other appropriate forms. (SRT)

Describes a two-semester writing program that prepares English majors for professional writing careers in business or industry. (AEA)

Designed chiefly for the growing number of technical and business writing teachers in two year colleges, this collection of articles helps teachers understand technology and business students so that they can teach courses that satisfy the writing needs of those students. Written by practicing teachers or writers, the articles offer viewpoints on…

This anthology contains 21 articles on teaching methods and assignments in technical writing. The anthology is divided into three major sections. The first section, "Courses," presents plans for alternative approaches to the teaching of technical writing. The second section, "Components," offers a variety of activities for major segments within a…

Draft specifications for an undergraduate course in professional writing, designed to teach practical writing skills, are presented in this paper. The paper notes the need for such a course to prepare professional personnel for the writing they do in their jobs, and it suggests that the course be aimed at juniors and seniors in liberal arts,…

The issues and problems confronted by a professor of literature when asked to teach a technical writing course for engineers are related in this paper. The first section of the paper explains how the professor was "recycled" from a teacher of literature to a professor of technical writing at his college. The second section describes some of the…

Explains a program which integrates into graduate technical writing courses a mini-internship in which students undertake small, off-campus writing projects during the academic term. Points out that the small scale of the program allows for informal, direct contacts between students and firms, while posing few administrative problems. (SG)

The unique technical writing needs of the nonnative professional are identified, and their implications for course design and materials development are outlined. It is argued that recent research on the dynamics of reading technical English can be used to improve technical writing instruction for nonnatives in industry. (MSE)

Describes a year-long collaboration to teach legal research and writing alongside civil procedure. In fall, civil procedure topics were used for writing assignments, in combination with simulation and demonstration exercises based on that case. In spring, students wrote briefs on motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment in a second case…