Institutional Boundaries and Finding a Voice in Emerging Technical Communication Programs

The border between institution types has long been a site of conflict and interest in the field of technical communication. One related border is becoming increasingly important: the border(s) between a diversifying range of institutions interested in technical communication and the PhD-granting institutions supplying them with teachers/scholars.

Knievel, Michael. CPTSC Proceedings (2003). Articles>Education>TC

INTECOM Present and Future  

This panel will present a discussion of the purposes and activities of INTECOM, the international umbrella organization of technical communication societies. The panel will describe the organization of INTECOM, its major programs such as the international FORUM conference, the value it offers to member organizations, and the activities and programs of some of its member societies.

Hibbard, Jeffrey L. STC Proceedings (1997). Articles>TC>International

INTECOM's Code of Good Practice

To improve the standards of technical communication throughout the world, INTECOM has approved this code of good practice as a guideline for the professional technical communicator in his or her daily, highly important task.

INTECOM (2003). Articles>TC>Standards>Professionalism

Integrated Strategic Communication: More than the Sum of Its Parts  

Adopting a hybrid organizational structure over 40 years ago has permitted the Communications Department of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control-Orlando to evolve new capabilities and undertake new missions. The result has been an independent organization that proactively responds to business opportunities, strategically applies numerous resources, and adds new skill sets that help Missiles and Fire Control capture and retain military contracts.

Voss, Daniel W. and William C. Wiese. STC Proceedings (2003). Articles>TC>Workplace

Integrating Academics and Industry: A Challenge for Both Sides    

Rapidly emerging technologies are bringing radical changes and challenges to today’s workplace, not just for our own profession but for many others as well. As society’s information needs change, so do the roles of technical communicators. Even the questions technical communicators face are constantly evolving: Which medium to use—and when, and how? Paper or online? Verbal or visual? Such questions were unheard of when many of us entered the profession, but they are commonplace for many practicing technical communicators today (as they certainly will be for many of today’s university students in their careers—and it’s impossible to guess what other questions will be just as routine for them, questions we cannot predict because quite likely the concepts and gadgets and words involved do not yet exist).

Sutliff, Kristene. Journal of Computer Documentation (2000). Articles>Education>TC

Integrating Communication and Technical Material in the First-Year Engineering Curriculum: The Role of the Laboratory  

Engineering 100/University Course 163 at the University of Michigan is structured as if the students were staff engineers for a company, and we have integrated technical communication by having the students write a laboratory report for the company managerial staff. Acunique component of this assignment is that the lab manager is equally able to evaluate the technical material as well as the communication in the reports. The students responded positively to the experience, but the results show a continued need to emphasize the informational needs of the audience regarding lab protocol and recommendations for future research.

Sulewski, Rob. STC Proceedings (2003). Articles>Education>TC

Intellectual Property for Technical Communicators: A Primer  

This paper presents a high-level overview of intellectual property issues, such as how to deal with patents, copyrights, and trademarks in the United States (other countries have other laws; this information may not apply to them). Technical communicators deal with intellectual property, and the protection of intellectual property, in day-to-day work. We must therefore know the basic rules for protecting our company's intellectual property interests, and must pay strict attention to dealing correctly with our and others' intellectual property matters.

Delain, Nancy Baum. STC Proceedings (2001). Articles>Intellectual Property>TC

Intellectual Property for Technical Communicators: A Primer  

This paper presents a high-level overview of intellectual property issues, such as how to deal with patents, copyrights, and trademarks in the United States (other countries have other laws; this information may not apply to them). Technical communicators deal with intellectual property, and the protection of intellectual property, in day-to-day work. We must therefore know the basic rules for protecting our company’s intellectual property interests, and must pay strict attention to dealing correctly with our and others’ intellectual property matters.

Delain, Nancy Baum. STC Proceedings (2001). Articles>Intellectual Property>TC

Intentionality and Other 'Nonsignificant' Issues in Learning: Commentary on Margaret Martinez’s 'Intentional Learning in an Intentional World'    

The backdrop facilitating Margaret Martinez’s study and the increased interest in studies of learners and of alternative learning environments is a complicated one. Most certainly, technological advances during the last decade have invigorated educational institutions and corporate interest in providing alternative educational opportunities for under-represented audiences. Additionally, numerous educational researchers have noted the increased pressure to provide improved educational experiences that are driven by both internal and external pressures on traditional educational institutions.

Mehlenbacher, Brad. Journal of Computer Documentation (2000). Articles>Education>TC

An Interactive Genre Within the University Textbook: The Preface    

This article examines the communicative categories and linguistic features of university textbook prefaces. The textbook preface is a highly interactive genre, with a double purpose: informative and promotional. The analysis of the genre moves and of their realization reveals that the preface is used by the author both to help the audience use the book and to convince them of the value of the book. This twofold purpose accounts for the most relevant features of prefaces: the frequent use of textual metadiscourse and the pervasive presence of evaluation. The criteria used in the preface to evaluate the textbook are related to the audience s expectations about introductory textbooks: novelty, usefulness, accessibility, comprehensiveness, importance, and interest.

Luzón, María José. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication (1999). Articles>TC>Publishing>Genre

An Interdisciplinary Course in Technical Communication    

Adresses engineering students' complaints that technical communication courses are not relevant to their major area of study. Describes a joint course in metallurgical engineering and English taught in the same classroom, with credit given in both subjects.

Andrews, Deborah C. Technical Communication Online (2003). Articles>Education>TC>Engineering

An International Internet Collaboration    

Describes a year-long collaboration over the Internet between a systems analyst from Sweden and a technical communicator from the United States. Describes the progress of the project, the major difficulties encountered, and the authors' conclusions about its success. In addition, suggestions on how to improve on the process are provided.

Tumminello, Joanna L. and Par Carlshamre. Technical Communication Online (1996). Articles>TC>Regional>Scandinavia

An International Technical Communication Curriculum: The Value Added  

In the expanding global economy, the focus on international communication has largely been devoted to machine translation of technical documents, and in a world of online information it only makes sense to take advantage of the computer’s speed and relative accuracy in translating documents. However, with the emphasis on machine translation as the standard, we still need well-trained people to conduct international business intelligently and effectively. The prototype curriculum presented below outlines some of the objectives and components for a program which focuses on both the technological and cultural elements of international technical communication.

Heba, Gary M. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Education>TC>International

International Technical Training and Communication: Case Studies from the Industry  

A key element for the success of any business that operates in today's fast changing business environment is the optimization of communication and training resources. This is especially critical for a medical device company. The challenges of local language, culture, and regulations must be addressed by an iterative examination and adaptation of sales training and product literature to local needs. We developed strategies for planning, training, translating, producing, and implementing that provide our sales staff, physicians, and patients with useful product and therapy information.

Guthertz, Harriet and Richard J. Mann. STC Proceedings (1995). Articles>TC>Education>Case Studies

An Interview with Edward R. Tufte    

An interview between Mark Zachry, Charles Paine, and Edward R. Tufte.

Zachry, Mark and Charles Paine. Technical Communication Quarterly (2004). Articles>TC

Interview with George Hayhoe, editor of Technical Communication Journal, on Technical Writing in China and Korea

Keith Hoffman, president of the Madison Wisconsin Four Lakes Chapter, talks with George Hayhoe, editor of the Technical Communication Journal, about the emergence of technical communications in China and Korea, and the forces behind the push for technical communicators.

Hayhoe, George F. and Keith Hoffman. Tech Writer Voices (2007). Articles>TC>International>Podcasts

Introducing Technical Communication Into the High School Curriculum  

For years, technical employers have been lamenting: 'We want to hire employees who can communicate well with their co-workers, their supervisors, and the company's customers!' Now, a new course being taught in Canadian high schools will prepare students to do exactly that. The course has been developed by the Province of Manitoba, the first province to start teaching Technical Communication in the Canadian public school system. The curriculum has been pilot-tested for two years and the program goes full stream in September 1996.

Blicq, Ronald S. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>Education>TC

Intuitive Ethics: Understanding and Critiquing the Role of Intuition in Ethical Decisions      

This article examines the role intuition plays in forming ethical decisions.  First, the article reviews examples of intuitive ethics in professional communication research.  Second, the article suggests that intuition is the naturalization of dominant cultural values and beliefs.  Third, the article considers naturalized values within institutions and organizations, demonstrating how naturalized values can lead to unquestioned and oppressive institutional practices.  Ethical inquiry, according to this view, investigates and denaturalizes those assumptions that are carried forth by intuition.  Fourth, the article offers a pedagogical example of this theory, demonstrating how a group of business communication students investigated the intuitive practices of a non-profit organization.  The article concludes by suggesting the value that a “critique of intuition” may have for the teaching, study, and practice of professional ethics.

Faber, Brenton D. Technical Communication Quarterly (1999). Articles>TC>Ethics

Is Technical Communication Like Riding a Bicycle?

I'm sure many of you have heard the expression, 'It's just like riding a bicycle,' which is applied to something that once learned, is just about impossible to forget. The same may be said for driving a manual transmission automobile; I can go years without driving one, but can easily drive one when I need to. (With the exception of VW bugs, whose clutches I have never managed to master.)

Mannion, Doreen A. Carolina Communique (2003). Articles>TC

Islam’s Influence on the Egyptian Business Environment: Tips for a Technical Communicator

While disjointed communication may characterize the communication that occurs between Arabs and westerners, technical communicators should work to resolve conflicts and avoid misunderstandings.

Abolrous, Sally. University of Washington-Seattle (2002). Articles>TC>Regional>Middle East

ISO 9001: “Of TC, by TC, and for TC”  

Our company obtained ISO 9001 certification as of May 8, 1998. This certification covers 'planning, design, and production of publications based on orders received' (including operation manuals, work manuals, brochures, leaflets, training textbooks, and booklets; and electronic editions of such publications). We are the first publishing firm in Japan to receive any of the 39 certifications available in the ISO 9000 series (hereafter referred to as “ISO 9000s”). Given the vital role that the publishing industry plays in today’s multimedia era, information quality has assumed a role of unsurpassed importance. If members of the industry are to fulfill their key role, they will be required to achieve greater conformity both to ISO standards and to technical communications (TC) needs.

Shidahara, Nobuyoshi. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>TC>Assessment>ISO 9001

The Issue of Archiving and Obsolescence

We can be almost certain that CDs will be obsolete in about five years. But what should we do about it?

Pinkham, Gordon. MetroVoice (2004). Articles>TC>Technology>Standards

Issues and Questions on Usability Testing: An Open Discussion Session  

Many technical communicators are assuming new roles as usability specialists or are doing user analysis, task analysis, and usability testing for their own documents. Many others would like to start disability testing. In this open discussion session, you can ask questions and share experiences with a panel of four technical communicators/usability specialists and with other conference attendees.

Hackos, JoAnn T., Janice S. James, Janice C. 'Ginny' Redish and Chauncey E. Wilson. STC Proceedings (1995). Articles>Usability>TC

Issues in Technical Writing

Now it is very important to recognize the vital role of a technical writer and services expected to provide to justify the requirements of this profession. Since technical writer is a sub category of technical communication, that involves other categories involved in documentation, like content writer, software configuration manager, technical editor, information designer and many more.

Albing, Bill. KeyContent.org (2005). Articles>TC>Communication>Technical Writing