Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 1988

Cognitive Processing, Text Linguistics and Documentation Writing

Barbara Mirel Illinois Institute of Technology

Abstract

Software documentation is a growing field in technical writing, yet no synthesis of current research exists to bring together findings on content, form, and the invoked relationship between reader and writer. Without such an overview writers are apt to follow discrete, context-free prescriptions instead of guiding principles that account for the multidimensional functions of language in the communication act of a user's manual. This article reviews findings from research in cognitive processing and text linguistics to derive such a set of principles. It then assesses a widely-used wordprocessing manual against these principles to find that the writers manipulate form (the textual function of language) to achieve comprehension better than they do content (the ideational function) or reader-writer relationships (the interpersonal function). However, comprehension is stymied without equal attention paid to ideational and interpersonal strategies.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1988-04-01
DOI
10.2190/20jv-5n1e-6lnr-443u
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
technical communication professional writing
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

  1. Albers (2003)
    Multidimensional Audience Analysis for Dynamic Information
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Walters et al. (1992)
    A discourse analysis of software documentation: implications for the profession
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

References (39) · 3 in this index

  1. 10.3758/BF03331194
     ↗
  2. Halliday M. A. K. (1973)
    Explorations in the Function of Language
  3. Kieras D. (1985)
    The Role of Prior Knowledge in Operating Equipment from Written Instructions
  4. Kieras D. (1985)
    The Acquisition of Procedures from Text: A Production-System Analysis of Transfer of Training
  5. Kieras D. and Poison P., An Approach to the Formal Analysis of User Complexity, Working Paper No. 2, 1982.
Show all 39 →
  1. Norman D. (1976)
    Cognition and Instruction
  2. Simon H. (1976)
    Cognition and Instruction
  3. deBeaugrande R. (1980)
    Text, Discourse and Process: Toward a Multidisciplinary Science of Texts
  4. 10.1037/h0037045
     ↗
  5. 10.1007/BF00121082
     ↗
  6. Flower L. (1983)
    New Essays in Technical and Scientific Communication: Research, Theory and Practice
  7. Selzer J. (1983)
    New Essays in Technical and Scientific Communication
  8. Beaugrande (1978)
    Communication in Technical Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  9. 10.2307/1121842
     ↗
  10. Holland Y. M. (1980)
    Understanding Instructions with Complex Conditions
  11. Just M. (1976)
    Cognition and Instruction
  12. 10.1007/BF00120935
     ↗
  13. Carpenter P. (1977)
    Cognitive Processes in Comprehension
  14. Horn R. (1976)
    How to Write Information Mapping
  15. 10.1177/001872088302500202
     ↗
  16. Hartley (1981)
    Eighty ways of improving instructional text
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  17. Felker D. (1981)
    Guidelines for Document Designers
  18. Olsen L. (1983)
    Principles of Communication for Science and Technology
  19. Stevenson D. (1976)
    Designing Technical Reports: Writing for Audiences in Organizations
  20. 10.1016/S0166-4115(08)62684-9
     ↗
  21. Winograd T. (1977)
    Cognitive Processes in Comprehension
  22. Rider P. (1981)
    Superwylbur User Guide
  23. (1984)
    Microsoft Word for the Apple Macintosh
  24. 10.1080/01638537809544441
     ↗
  25. Selzer (1982)
    Certain Cohesion Elements and the Readability of Technical Paragraphs
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  26. 10.1016/S0022-5371(79)90594-2
     ↗
  27. 10.1016/S0166-4115(09)60039-X
     ↗
  28. Auld R. (1981)
    Computing Skills and the User Interface
  29. Shuchman H. (1981)
    Information Transfer in Engineering
  30. Eason K. D. (1981)
    Computing Skills and the User Interface
  31. Fish S. (1980)
    Is There a Text in the Class?
  32. 10.7208/chicago/9780226056043.001.0001
     ↗
  33. Fox D. (1981)
    TEXTEDIT
  34. Fowler R. (1979)
    Language and Control
CrossRef global citation count: 6 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2026
    Developing Intercultural Socioemotional Communication Skills: A Hybrid Student Exchange Project Between Kenya, Ireland, and Germany ↗
    Belinda Oechsler; Yvonne Cleary; Sissi Closs
    technical communication professional writing
  2. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly Mar 2026
    Sentinel and Designer: Identities for Business Communication ↗
    Nelson Lamar Reinsch
    technical communication professional writing
  3. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Mar 2026
    “It's Hard to Show ROI When You’re Preventing Things from Happening”: How Impact Storytelling Frames Community Health Initiatives for Executive Audiences ↗
    Margaret Hsiao
    technical communication professional writing qualitative research
  4. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Mar 2026
    Effective Practices for User-Centered Instant Localization of a Screen Reader Software ↗
    Zsuzsanna B. Palmer
    technical communication professional writing qualitative research
  5. Reflections: A Journal of Community-Engaged Writing and Rhetoric Feb 2026
    Practicing Grant and Proposal Writing with a Community-Engaged Approach: Reflections of Emerging Technical Communication Scholars ↗
    Shyam Pandey; Robin Pate; Michele Herbert; Aresia Arthurs; Anna Woolley; Tameca Jenkins
    graduate education argument technical communication professional writing race and writing