Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 1989

Readers' Comprehension Responses in Informative Discourse: Toward Connecting Reading and Writing in Technical Communication

David D. Roberts Iowa State University

Abstract

A qualitative study using reading protocols suggests that when readers of informative documents understand conveyed information satisfactorily, they make direct confirmations and positive comprehension evaluations. When readers are uncertain about the accuracy of their understanding, they guess, make assumptions, or render the text's language into their own words. When readers' understanding is impaired, they ask for more clearly established links or relationships in the text, or they pinpoint some ambiguity or lack of resolution. When readers' understanding is unsatisfactory but not impaired, they request additional information. In addition, readers make evaluative suggestions that introduce, focus, emphasize, or reiterate their other comprehension-related responses. The response patterns isolated in this qualitative study indicate the need for specific quantitative research and suggest some directions for developing reader-based heuristics for informative writing.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1989-04-01
DOI
10.2190/a1ja-0l9h-ylmh-yue4
Open Access
Closed
Topics
qualitative research quantitative research technical communication multilingual writers

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Friess et al. (2021)
    Identifying Commonalities and Divergences Between Technical Communication Schol…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication

Cites in this index (6)

  1. KUCER (1985)
    The Making of Meaning
    Written Communication
  2. Phelps (1985)
    Dialectics of Coherence: Toward An Integrative Theory
    College English
  3. Park (1982)
    The Meanings of "Audience"
    College English
  4. Berkenkotter (1981)
    Understanding a Writer's Awareness of Audience
    College Composition and Communication
  5. Sullivan et al. (1981)
    A Case for Diagnosis in Technical Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Show all 6 →
  1. Pfister et al. (1980)
    A Heuristic Model for Creating a Writer's Audience
    College Composition and Communication
Also cites 3 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.2307/376441
     ↗
  2. 10.2307/358093
     ↗
  3. 10.1177/002194368402100405
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 4 View in citation network →

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