Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 1996

Why and How to Advance Technical Copywriting

Leigh Henson Missouri State University

Abstract

Promotional writing for industrial and high-tech products, or technical copywriting, is gaining more and more attention in the profession of technical communication. In contrast, higher education has largely neglected to prepare students for this major form of written communication. One reason for this neglect may be that some academics do not well understand the role and importance of technical copywriting. Another reason may be the stigma of unethical writing associated with copywriting for consumer products. This article testifies to the significance of technical copywriting and suggests that dialogical audience analysis and an emphasis on the rational appeal will contribute to ethical writing performance. Also, resources are cited of common interest to instructors, beginning practitioners, and researchers. Last, these groups receive recommendations appropriate for their individual activities.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1996-04-01
DOI
10.2190/hgpj-u2de-25cx-16bh
Open Access
Closed
Topics
technical communication multilingual writers

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

  1. Henson (2005)
    Using the Internet as a Tool for Public Service: Creating a Community History W…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Henson et al. (1998)
    A Service Learning Approach to Business and Technical Writing Instruction
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (6)

  1. BLYLER (1995)
    Pedagogy and Social Action
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. SULLIVAN et al. (1993)
    Remapping Curricular Geography
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Bryan (1992)
    Down the slippery slope: Ethics and the technical writer as marketer
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Markel (1991)
    A Basic Unit on Ethics for Technical Communicators
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. LaDuc (1991)
    Infusing Practical Wisdom into Persuasive Performance: Hermeneutics and the Tea…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Show all 6 →
  1. Henson (1984)
    Identifying Effective Writing Exercises for Lower-Division Technical Writing Courses
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
CrossRef global citation count: 3 View in citation network →

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