Abstract

Are technical writers able to predict the results of a reader-focused text evaluation? In this article we report a study with fifteen technical writers, who were asked to point out the reader problems in a public information brochure. The brochure was also evaluated with thirty readers from the target audience (using a combination of the plus-minus method, a questionnaire, and user protocols). The results of both kinds of text evaluation show little overlap. The technical writers only predicted a small proportion of the reader feedback, and produced a lot of new problem detections. In addition, there was little agreement among the technical writers with regard to their problem detections.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1996-10-01
DOI
10.2190/66yb-njew-jx8w-ydpr
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (11)

  1. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  5. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 11 →
  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  6. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

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