Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 1975

Motivating Recalcitrant Business and Technical Writing Students

W. Keats Sparrow East Carolina University

Abstract

The business or technical writing teacher can mitigate against his pragmatic students' recalcitrance toward language studies by pointing out the utility of knowing how to write well. However, rather than turning to hackneyed arguments or to literary evidence, he can motivate students more effectively by turning to compelling testimonials from leaders in business and industry, to appropriate personal experiences, and to stimulating classroom strategies that emphasize the importance of language ability in career, social, and civic aspirations. The lively use of such readily available resources can improve student attitude toward the course and should thus improve student performance.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1975-10-01
DOI
10.2190/wgft-c33m-pvdj-dbqg
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
teacher development technical communication
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No articles in this index cite this work.

References (6)

  1. Goldwin Robert A. (1960)
    Toward the Liberally Educated Executive
  2. Drucker Peter F., How to Be an Employee, Fortune, May 1952, p. 126.
  3. Chapman Gilbert W. (1960)
    Toward the Liberally Educated Executive
  4. Packard Vance, The Status Seekers, New York: Pocket Books, 1965, pp. 122–126.
  5. Adelstein Michael E., Contemporary Business Writing, New York: Random House, 1971, p. 6.
Show all 6 →
  1. See, for example, Menning J. H., Wilkinson C. W., Communicating through Letters and Reports, fourth edition, …
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