Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 1996

An Informal Survey of Technical Writing Textbooks: 1950–1970

Thomas L. Warren Oklahoma State University Oklahoma City

Abstract

The textbook is the main teaching tool for instructors. Typically, teachers select a text based on how well it supports their views of and approach to the subject. Looking at texts suggests how the subject has been taught over the years and what assumptions are made about students. This informal look at pre-1970 textbooks characterizes the early teaching of technical writing by examining such features as author's background, contents, assumed reader, and focus.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1996-04-01
DOI
10.2190/1qd8-pk64-x0rj-atwg
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Open Access
Closed
Topics
teacher development technical communication
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (6)

  1. Read et al. (2018)
    Hidden in plain sight: findings from a survey on the multi-major professional w…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Moran et al. (2012)
    A Bibliography of Works Published in the History of Professional Communication …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Malone (2007)
    Historical Studies of Technical Communication in the United States and England:…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. Warren (2004)
    Increasing User Acceptance of Technical Information in Cross-Cultural Communication
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Warren (2002)
    Cultural Influences on Technical Manuals
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Show all 6 →
  1. Warren (2001)
    Communicating Style Rules to Editors of International Standards: An Analysis of…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

References (22) · 2 in this index

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    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Souther J. W. (1989)
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  3. Russell D. R. (1991)
    Writing in the Academic Disciplines, 1870–1970: A Curricular History
  4. Rickard T. A. (1908)
    A Guide to Technical Writing
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    Technical Writing
Show all 22 →
  1. Schmelzer (1977)
    The First Textbook on Technical Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Nelson J. A. (1940)
    Writing the Technical Report
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  12. Warren Thomas L.
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  13. Warren Thomas L. (1995)
    Perspectives on Promotion and Tenure for Faculty in Non-Academic Discourse: Guidelines fo…
  14. Warren Thomas L., Issues in Internationalization of Documentation: Quality Control, anthology of selected pap…
     ↗
  15. Warren Thomas L., Technical Communication in the U.S.A.: Educating Engineers to Write, anthology of selected …
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CrossRef global citation count: 7 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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