A Case for Diagnosis in Technical Writing

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 1981

A Case for Diagnosis in Technical Writing

Patricia A. Sullivan ; David D. Roberts

Abstract

Since technical writing is changing from a course for the scientific elite to one with a much broader base, the need to diagnose in technical writing classes is growing too. The right diagnostic tools can allow the instructor to set class goals more effectively, structure the course more efficiently, and discover and deal better with student expectations. The diagnostic we have designed, asking students to compose a memo which discusses their projected needs as aspiring technical writers, yields useful information about the stylistic strengths and weaknesses of the students. But more important, the diagnostic provides guidelines for choosing among the flexible units of study at the instructor's disposal, and also reveals student attitudes, preconceptions, and prejudices — data which aid the instructor in laying the proper groundwork in the early phases of the course.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 1981-01-01
DOI: 10.2190/r2lp-58el-j8q4-t04t
Topics: multimodality technical communication

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (4)

Inkster (1994)

Rhetoric of the classroom: The exigencies of the technical writing class as top…

Technical Communication Quarterly
Allen (1993)

The role(s) of assessment in technical communication: A review of the literature

Technical Communication Quarterly
Freed et al. (1989)

The Nature, Classification, and Generic Structure of Proposals

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Roberts (1989)

Readers' Comprehension Responses in Informative Discourse: Toward Connecting Re…

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (0)

No references match articles in this index.

Also cites 1 work outside this index ↓

Orange L. E., English The Pre-Professional Major, 2nd ed., Modern Language Association, New York, p. 5, 1972.

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