Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 1978

Communication in Technical Writing

Robert A. De Beaugrande The Ohio State University

Abstract

The special nature of technical writing is seen in the emphasis on efficient information transmission. Rather than relying on the classic concept of information as the probability of items in a series, the article discusses information value with respect to reader background and to the distribution of “new” information (not known to the reader, or not focused) and “old” (known, presupposed, mentioned) information. It is argued that this perspective is best suited for the presentation of grammar in the teaching of technical writing, with special regard for the focusing techniques of written as opposed to spoken English; examples are provided.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1978-01-01
DOI
10.2190/yfaq-3e8c-bt6u-4yml
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Topics
teacher development technical communication grammar and mechanics
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (6)

  1. Fatt (2000)
    The Value of Linguistics to Technical Authors in a Digital World
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. MARKEL (1993)
    Techniques of Developing Forecasting Statements
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Mirel (1988)
    Cognitive Processing, Text Linguistics and Documentation Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Selzer (1982)
    Certain Cohesion Elements and the Readability of Technical Paragraphs
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Anderson (1980)
    The Need for Better Research in Technical Communication
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Show all 6 →
  1. Selzer (1980)
    Another Look at Paragraphs in Technical Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

References (24) · 1 in this index

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    Generative Stylistics: Between Grammar and Rhetoric
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  2. Milic L. T. (1971)
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  4. Rapoport A. (1963)
    Readings for Technical Writers
  5. Ischreyt H. (1965)
    Studien zum Verhältnis von Sprache und Technik. Institutionelle Sprachlenkung in der Term…
Show all 24 →
  1. Drodz L. (1973)
    Deutsche Fach- und Wissenschaftssprache, Bestandaufnahme-Theorie-Geschichte
  2. 10.3406/lfr.1973.5619
     ↗
  3. Huddleston R. (1971)
    The Sentence in Written English. A Syntactic Study Based on an Analysis of Scientific Texts
  4. 10.1515/9783110908930
     ↗
  5. Goodman J. S. (1959)
    Papers Presented at the All-Ohio Conference on Technical Communications
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    Tel Quel
CrossRef global citation count: 6 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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