How to Be Persuasive in Writing  

The persuasive theories of Stephen Toulmin and Carl Rogers can be effective in applications to writing on the job. Toulmin’s strategies lead writers to specify the exact claim they are making, to give evidence to support the claim, and to refute the arguments likely to be made against the claim. Roger’s strategies can be used to identify the viewpoint of the audience, grant the points in the audience’s position which the writer agrees with, and then attempt to show how the audience’s position will actually be improved if the writer’s claim or proposal is accepted.

Connors, Patricia E. STC Proceedings (1995). Articles>Rhetoric>Writing

Strategies for Using Compressed Video Effectively  

Interactive media for distance training require special presentational strategies. Compressed video, an interactive medium using fiber optics, has unique characteristics which users must know. The video creates a lack of direct eye contact and a sense of separation. The compression creates flattened images and extremes of colors. Effective presenters in this medium must plan concise, horizontal graphics. They must schedule short, varied activities with limited use of uninterrupted lecture. And they must plan frequent interactive activities--such as questions, group work, and demonstrations--for an effective session.

Connors, Patricia E. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Multimedia>Streaming>Video

Teaching Corporate Communication Skills Through an Industry-Based International M.B.A. Program  

The International M.B.A. Program at the University of Memphis exemplifies corporate/educational cooperation. It focuses on international business theory and practice, excellent oral and written communication skills, computer skills, and a required internship in the student’s second language. Through the internship and other strategies, educators model the goal of working closely with industry to make students marketable in the global community. Both native and nonnative speakers of English master a second language in order to communicate effectively in international business settings.

Connors, Patricia E. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>Education>Business Communication

Training Writers to Design and Write Short Documents for Nonspecialists  

A group of technical writing students wrote a series of explanations for twelve-year-old readers. I studied these documents to discover the features preferred by the young readers. Among the characteristics favored by the readers were the following: the use of headings; narrative structure; unfamiliar terms limited to a few, each followed by a brief definition in the text; white space and uncrowded text; large, readable typefaces; and some simple illustrations. These same features are likely to appeal to adult nonspecialists when reading about unfamiliar technical material and are particularly recommended to technical writers when writing to a nonspecialist audience.

Connors, Patricia E. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>Writing>Technical Writing

The Writing Student’s Guide to Successful Oral Presentations  

Graduates of technical writing programs often enter the workplace with poor oral communication skills due to lack of practice. The trainer or writing teacher can use several strategies to offer the students oral practice without expending a great deal of class time. Recommended classroom strategies include teaching the students basic preparation skills and presentational techniques, giving them brief as well as longer practice following strict time limits, and allowing them to receive immediate feedback from listeners. These efforts can aid writing students in giving oral presentations and in preparing them for the work setting.

Connors, Patricia E. STC Proceedings (1993). Presentations>Advice>Rhetoric