Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 1978

The English Teacher in a College of Engineering

Thomas M. Sawyer University of Michigan–Ann Arbor

Abstract

There are two opposing views towards technical writing courses and towards teachers of technical writing: one favorable, the other disdainful. Those who disdain technical writing seem to believe that it: 1) imposes restrictive and arbitrary forms upon creative individuals, 2) involves only the accumulation of factual evidence, 3) deals with things, rather than with people, and 4) is, like other practical arts, a second-class activity. The first three beliefs are mistaken, and it can be argued that the dissemination of technical and scientific information is just as humanistic as artistic writing.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1978-01-01
DOI
10.2190/7gd6-2vap-9w8q-0hrt
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
writing pedagogy teacher development technical communication
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No articles in this index cite this work.

References (10)

  1. Wilcox T. W. (1973)
    The Anatomy of College English
  2. Crichton M. (1970)
    Five Patients: The Hospital Explained
  3. (1976)
    Manchester Guardian Weekly
  4. Monod J., Chance and Necessity, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, pp. 160 & 170, 1971.
  5. Real Life Writing and Speaking: Not Hot House Exercises, IEEE Transactions on Education, August 1974.
Show all 10 →
  1. A Syllabus for a Course in Scientific and Technical Communication, The Technical Writing Teacher, Spring 1975.
  2. Accountability: Or Let Others Grade Your Students, College Composition and Communication, December 1975.
  3. External Examiners: Separating Teaching from Grading, Engineering Education, January 1976.
  4. (1976)
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Why Speech Will Not Totally Replace Writing, College Composition and Communication, February 1977.
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