Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 1984

Phenomenology, Metaphor, and Computer Documentation: A Move toward a More Self Conscious Approach in Technical Writing

Brenda Rubens Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Abstract

Traditionally, technical writing has been characterized by impersonal, mechanical, objective prose. However, this attempt to deanthropomorphize reality must ultimately fail because science cannot escape metaphorical language. There is a move in technical writing today toward a personalized, sometimes called “friendly,” writing style which is strikingly evident in many computer textbooks and instructional manuals.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1984-01-01
DOI
10.2190/fx2p-q3j3-q9jx-018a
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Open Access
Closed
Topics
technical communication digital rhetoric
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Johnson (1991)
    Agents, Engines, Traffic, Objects and Illusions: Paradigms of Computer Science
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

References (9) · 1 in this index

  1. Edie J. M. (1976)
    Speaking and Meaning: The Phenomenology of Language
  2. Whitburn (1976)
    Personality in Scientific and Technical Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Halloran S. M.
    The Rhetorical Tradition and Modern Writing
  4. Findlay W. (1978)
    Pascal: An Introduction to Methodical Programming
  5. Kaufman R. E. (1978)
    A Fortran Coloring Book
Show all 9 →
  1. Dyck V. A. (1979)
    Introduction to Computing: Structured Problem Solving Using WATFIV-S
  2. Kreitzberg C. B. (1975)
    Fortran Programming: A Spiral Approach
  3. Richardson C. (1980)
    The Applesoft Tutorial
  4. Stewart G. (1980)
    Getting Started With TRS-80 BASIC
CrossRef global citation count: 2 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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