Technical Communication Quarterly Jul 1996

Design and Document Quality: Effects of Emphasizing Design Principles in the Technical Communication Course

Mike Markel ; Kevin S. Wilson

Abstract

This study uses a case-study approach to describe and analyze the effects of emphasizing design principles in a technical communication course. A look at student assignments—including a job description, a set of instructions, and a feasibility study—and at student self-evaluative comments about their job descriptions suggests that focusing on design principles can help students improve the organization and design of their documents and achieve a more sophisticated understanding of the role of design in communicating technical information.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
1996-07-01
DOI
10.1207/s15427625tcq0503_2
Open Access
Closed
Topics
multimodality technical communication

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

  1. Gallagher et al. (2023)
    Required Templates: An Assemblage Theory Analysis of How Template Character Lim…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Bushneil (1999)
    A contrary view of the technical writing classroom: Notes toward future discussion
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Markel (1998)
    What students see: Word processing and the perception of visual design
    Computers and Composition

Cites in this index (4)

  1. MARKEL (1995)
    Using Desing Principles to Teach Technical Communication
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Selber (1994)
    Beyond skill building: Challenges facing technical communication teachers in th…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. KOSTELNICK (1994)
    From Pen to Print:
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. TEBEAUX (1993)
    From Orality to Textuality in English Accounting and its Books, 1553-1680
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Also cites 2 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.2307/357383
     ↗
  2. 10.1109/47.144865
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 3 View in citation network →

Related Articles

  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2026
    Developing Intercultural Socioemotional Communication Skills: A Hybrid Student Exchange Project Between Kenya, Ireland, and Germany ↗
    Belinda Oechsler; Yvonne Cleary; Sissi Closs
    multimodality technical communication
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2026
    What Video Games Can Tell Us About Interactive Technical Communication ↗
    Emily Kuzneski Johnson
    multimodality technical communication multilingual writers
  3. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2026
    “Is This Ethical?” New Data on the Ethical Principles and Practices of Document Design ↗
    Leslie Seawright; Amy Hodges; Timothy Ponce
    multimodality technical communication disability studies multilingual writers
  4. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Mar 2026
    “It's Hard to Show ROI When You’re Preventing Things from Happening”: How Impact Storytelling Frames Community Health Initiatives for Executive Audiences ↗
    Margaret Hsiao
    qualitative research multimodality technical communication professional writing multilingual writers
  5. Computers and Composition Mar 2026
    From vision to insight: Enhancing students’ user-centered design skills with eye-tracking technology and usability tests ↗
    Meng Yu
    multimodality technical communication