Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 1989

Computer-Based Writing and Communication: Some Implications for Technical Communication Activities

Leslie A. Olsen University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

Abstract

Most research on writing has focussed on the work of single authors working by hand on prose texts. However, much professional work is collaborative, computer-based, not exclusively prose, and not well studied. Some preliminary research suggests that the use of computers will affect the cognitive activities of individual authors in several domains of immediate relevance to composition and technical communication practitioners: planning activities, editing activities, the writing of novice computer users or poor typists, and writing for electronic mail and other electronic communication. Research reported here suggests that the rapidly increasing capability of computer-based writing systems will force communication researchers to 1) broaden their basic conception of and methods of studying “author” to include authoring teams, 2) broaden the type of material studied from that which is purely or largely textual to that which much more frequently includes other types of information, and 3) track changes in “genre conventions” resulting from the increased capabilities of computer-based systems—in short, to assess the impacts of the medium on the message.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1989-04-01
DOI
10.2190/682k-dp1t-x3qg-byh9
CompPile
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Open Access
Closed
Topics
genre theory collaborative writing technical communication digital rhetoric affect and writing
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (11)

  1. Sperber et al. (2025)
    Peer and AI Review + Reflection (PAIRR): A human-centered approach to formative…
    Computers and Composition
  2. WICKLIFF (1997)
    Assessing the Value of Client-Based Group Projects in an Introductory Technical…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Price (1997)
    Electronic outlining as a tool for making writing visible
    Computers and Composition
  4. Spinuzzi (1994)
    A different kind of forum: rethinking rhetorical strategies for electronic text media
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  5. Flammia (1992)
    A desktop publishing course: An alternative to internships for rural universities
    Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 11 →
  1. Hedden (1992)
    Hypertext and collaboration: Observations on Edward Barrett's philosophy
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Norman et al. (1992)
    Structured document processors: Implications for technical writing
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Duin et al. (1992)
    Developing texts for computers and composition: A collaborative process
    Computers and Composition
  4. DUIN (1991)
    Computer-Supported Collaborative Writing: The Workplace and the Writing Classroom
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. WILKINS (1991)
    Computer Talk: Long-Distance Conversations by Computer
    Written Communication
  6. MacNealy (1990)
    Moving toward maturity: research in technical communication
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

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CrossRef global citation count: 17 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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