The Use of the Reader in Technical Writing

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 1978

The Use of the Reader in Technical Writing

Mary B. Coney

Abstract

To communicate technical material effectively to a particular audience, a writer must not only analyze his readers' background and professional needs, but also incorporate that analysis into his text. This article introduces the concept of the mock reader as a means of giving body to an amorphic audience and relates that concept to the decisions a writer must make. Three situations are presented—writing to the operator, the expert, and the manager—to show how the mock reader can enhance the immediacy and coherence of a text.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 1978-04-01
DOI: 10.2190/gvu2-gje3-5j53-jnty
Topics: technical communication

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

Coney (1992)

<i>Terministic Screens</i>: A Burkean Reading of the Experimental Article

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (1)

Gibson (1950)

Authors, Speakers, Readers, and Mock Readers

College English

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