Abstract

This article surveys and critiques the literature on using style checkers and the text-editing capabilities of the computer to assist in revising technical writing. The literature on text-editing capabilities is inconclusive because it is largely anecdotal and methodologically flawed. The literature on style checkers is similarly inconclusive. To better assess the value of the computer, we need to examine the basic premise of the research on revising and word processing: that more revising leads to higher-quality writing. We need to be sure that our evaluative techniques for measuring writing improvement are valid; to focus our attention not only on computer novices but also on computer-experienced writers; to examine other factors that affect how writers use word processing and that in turn might affect writing quality; and to examine more carefully the differences among word processors and among the different style checkers to determine their effects on writing behavior and writing quality.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1990-10-01
DOI
10.2190/ym4d-dkdc-xu52-plq5
Open Access
Closed
Topics

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

  1. Computers and Composition
  2. Journal of Business and Technical Communication

Cites in this index (8)

  1. Computers and Composition
  2. Computers and Composition
  3. College Composition and Communication
  4. Computers and Composition
  5. Research in the Teaching of English
Show all 8 →
  1. Research in the Teaching of English
  2. Research in the Teaching of English
  3. College Composition and Communication
Also cites 8 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1632/ade.87.24
  2. 10.2307/357977
  3. 10.2307/357401
  4. 10.2307/357976
  5. 10.1177/002194368802500305
  6. 10.1007/BF00987108
  7. 10.2307/357974
  8. 10.2307/377479
CrossRef global citation count: 5 View in citation network →