Points out that textual authenticity of speeches has been a constant concern of speech communication scholars. Examines the procedure, personnel, and philosophy employed to record the proceedings and debate in today's British House of Commons. Concludes with a comparison of "Hansard's Official Report" and the "Congressional…

Describes the process of rewriting a poorly-written document into plain English. The process includes redefining the audience, altering the content, reorganizing the content, changing the verbal and visual style, and retaining the document's legal force. (JMF)

Examines the problem of attempting to simplify official texts, with examples from the Netherlands' government. (AM)

Community relations, alumni relations, and information services are considered to be serving one end--encouraging giving to the college. The relationship between fund raising and alumni periodical editing is discussed. High standards for the periodical and a budget sufficient to support it are advocated. (MLW)

Suggests that spelling instruction must go beyond the use of a text or series and that spelling should be impressed on students as an important part of their writing. Proofreading, peer editing of compositions, and other techniques for spelling improvement are discussed. (SJL)

Contains teaching ideas from six journalism teachers on the following topics: teaching electronic editing, using minicomputers in an advertising media course, five ways to make grading stories easier, the point and code system of grading, student coverage of state government, and the "guided design" teaching technique. (RL)

Reports results of a survey of 208 members of the Associated Press Managing Editors Association (APME) regarding five areas: newsroom structure and the managing editor, newsroom manning levels, managing editor job descriptions, how managing editors spend their time, and managing editor job-related activity patterns. (GT)

Looks at 10 hypothetical scenarios as a means of examining how technical communicators contribute to perceptions that they are less than strategic or central to the operations of companies. Discusses certification, conference attendance, professional development, client relations, and editing. (TB)

Presents ideas on how to design and carry out a peer editing task in foreign language writing and demonstrates several methods that can fit most writing task situations. (Author/VWL)

Argues that the evaluation of a basic writing program can demonstrate a program's effectiveness and can be useful in opening up a dialog among the instructors. Describes an evaluation program that combines a variety of writing assessments (essays, a multiple-choice editing test, and portfolios assessment) that provide a comprehensive examination…

Examines the effect of general statements against sexist usage in the style manual for "The Washington Post." Analysis is provided of a minor usage pattern that was not the subject of an explicit rule: the difference in the use of middle initials in references to men and to women. (GLR)

Studied the critical points made in 402 reviews of 153 papers submitted to 12 editors of American Psychological Association journals. Criticisms dealt with all steps in research activity from early conceptualizing to final writing. Typically, 2 reviews of the same paper had no critical point in common. Recommendations about editorial decisions…

Editors of scholarly journals are looking again at their role and that of peer reviewers as guardians of the academic enterprise, in light of recent revelations of fraudulent research data in scientific literature and continuing concerns about bias toward particular institutions, individuals, issues, or theories in editorial decision-making. (MSE)

Publications administrators can freshen stale publications by updating vision, methods, and attitude. Ways to avoid the staleness trap include: critique work systematically, pick the right boss, look at the best work around the country, staff with young people, etc. (MLW)