Journal of Business and Technical Communication Oct 1997

Review as a Method for Improving Professional Texts

THEA VAN DER GEEST ; LISETTE VAN GEMERT

Abstract

In this article, the review process is described as a method of formative evaluation of texts. The description is based on three empirical studies of professional writing practices. It includes the goals of review, the actors involved in the process, the moments in the text production process that review is taking place, and the procedures followed. The studies make clear that review serves more goals than just improving the text. For improving the text, other methods than review probably produce better and more reliable results, especially when the goal is to improve the usability of the text. But review also has the function of having the information checked by experts and of building consensus and commitment in the organization. Because in most organizations review is taking place anyway, all remarks about the quality and acceptability of the document that are collected in the review process can be considered additional information that writers could use—with caution.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
1997-10-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651997011004004
Open Access
Closed
Topics
technical communication professional writing

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (5)

  1. Cuppan et al. (2012)
    Missed Opportunities in the Review and Revision of Clinical Study Reports
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Jones (2005)
    From Writers to Information Coordinators
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Swarts (2004)
    Technological Mediation of Document Review
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. Swarts (2004)
    Textual Grounding: How People Turn Texts into Tools
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Bernhardt (2003)
    Improving Document Review Practices in Pharmaceutical Companies
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication

Cites in this index (0)

No references match articles in this index.

Also cites 1 work outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1109/47.44536
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 7 View in citation network →

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