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)

The technical language used in reports on educational research can be a barrier for the classroom teacher who would like to implement the results of that research effectively, indicating a need for clearer communication between the researcher and the teacher who will be the instrument of change. (JD)

Three experiments examined elementary school children's ascriptions of blame for communication failure in a game in which either the child or the experimenter described one of a set of drawings so that the other could pick the matching one from an identical set. (Author/JMB)

When a Soviet note dispatched to Britain, France, and the United States in 1958 was termed an ultimatum by the "Lion" (the New York "Times"), most of the press followed suit, although other explanations of the note were available; this pattern illustrates the phenomenon designated as the "jackal syndrome." (GW)

Contends that communication apprehension in the classroom results in reduced student communication and significantly reduced learning as measured by grades, overall average, and standardized achievement tests. (MH)

Compares the effectiveness of systematic desensitization (SD), rational emotive therapy (RET), and visualization (VIS) in reducing communication apprehension (CA). Concludes that, while all treatment modes reduce CA, no significant differences were found in their effectiveness. Emphasizes that VIS is a relatively simple technique that can be used…

A multimodal intervention program designed for a nine-year-old with severe communication problems (secondary to cerebral palsy, receptive dysphasia, and auditory agnosia) combined manual signs and graphic symbols to help her communicate. The intensive, highly structured program had significant positive results. (Author/CB)

Clarifies the nature of communication avoidance through a structural analysis grounded in facet theory. Presents evidence for a duplex model of avoidance in which theoretical distinctions among modalities of approach-avoidance and context proved empirically relevant. Discusses implications of these findings for the explication, treatment, and…

Describes an international business communication course taught at Murray State University. Acquaints students with the challenges of international business communication, provides guidelines for successful cross-cultural business communication, and gives practice in solving international business problems through the use of the guidelines. (RAE)

Concludes that native English-speaking recipients of a direct-response sales letter prepared by an Indian manufacturer will not be persuaded by discourse that does not conform to expected norms of understanding. Use of a common language does not assure success in cross-cultural marketing objectives. (Author/CB)

A counselor describes the strains placed on a marriage after the birth of a handicapped son by both parents' difficulties in dealing with their own parents. The importance of better communication of needs among all parties and ways grandparents can help parents with a handicapped child are discussed. (VW)

Performance of 15 language-impaired children (average age eight years) on a referential communication task requiring verbal encoding of novel referents was compared to performance of normally developing age-mates and language-mates. Subjects used known referent, graphic, and mixed strategies about equally with language-impaired children less…

Suggests a perspective for understanding stress within an organizational environment by exploring the relationship between both (1) work-related stress and life events, communication, and stress in general; and (2) role, personality, and performance stress and communication in the work-related environment. Outlines methods for productively…

Problems in distance education for both teacher and learner are discussed, focusing on the need and strategies for feedback for both parties. Instruction by live television is used as an example. Suggestions are given for solving problems of this situation and for translating the solutions for other learning situations. (MSE)