Teaching Technical Writing: Rethinking our Approach

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jul 1995

Teaching Technical Writing: Rethinking our Approach

Rick D. Casper Dawson Community College

Abstract

Several recent journal articles, especially the one by Charles Sides [1], have questioned the form and function of technical communication. Based on actual experience with three organizations in Oregon, this writer proposes a need to rethink what we teach our technical writing students and how we go about designing assignments that“… simulate the reality of a work environment” [2]. This article will explore the types of technical writing skills which are increasingly in demand and then will offer several strategies for teaching these skills at the college level.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 1995-07-01
DOI: 10.2190/76xa-udg9-vw10-q0u8
Open Access: Closed
Topics: multimodality technical communication

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

Moore (1999)

Myths about instrumental discourse: A response to Robert R. Johnson

Technical Communication Quarterly
SPEARS (1998)

Practicing Good Technical Communication Techniques by Revising Patient-Educatio…

Journal of Business and Technical Communication

Cites in this index (3)

Sides (1994)

QUO Vadis, Technical Communication?

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Gerson (1993)

Commentary: Teaching Technical Writing in a Collaborative Computer Classroom

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Rowan (1991)

When Simple Language Fails: Presenting Difficult Science to the Public

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

CrossRef global citation count: 5 View in citation network →