Putting Power, Creativity, and Truth into Your Marketing Message  

Good marketing has a clear, concise, benefits-oriented message. Great marketing adds power and creativity by using effective graphics, headlines that tie the graphics to the message, and body copy that invites the reader in and tells the story of a problem that can be solved. Power results from combining emotion and facts; creativity lets the message break through the clutter, differentiates the product or service from the competition, and helps to convey the company’s values.

Brenneman, Judy Fort. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>TC>Marketing>Emotions

Quality in Action: What Technical Communicators Are Doing to Improve Quality  

Quality continues to be a hot topic among technical communicators, generating vigorous debate and commentary on the STC Quality SIG listserv and in notes to the Quality SIG manager in response to articles in the SIG newsletter or on the SIG website. Some common themes of interest include: how to measure quality, what role technical communicators can play in the ISO 9000 documentation process, how to reduce rework and minimize errors in documentation by developing flexible plans and processes, and how the STC value-added research can help us develop quality metrics for our information.

Colvin, Richard D., Ted Dennison, Lori H. Fisher, Don Lenk and Ralph Robinson. STC Proceedings (1998). Articles>TC>Quality>ISO 9000

Quality in Technical Communication: Do We Need to Rethink the Concept?

Technical communicators have always been proud of the quality of their work. Can it be that we are overdoing it? Do we need to change our understanding of what we do? Is readiness to compromise and economize to keep pace more important today than perfecting our work?

Giammona, Barbara A. TC-FORUM (2001). Articles>TC>Quality

Quality PIC Progression: What Technical Communicators Want to Know About Quality  

This progression is sponsored by the STC Quality Professional Interest Committee. Each subgroup within the Quality PIC is sponsoring a discussion table, with additional topics of special interest to technical communicators. These topics have been selected based on their timeliness and practical value to practicing technical communicators.

Fisher, Lori H., Connie 'CJ.' Bibus, Laura J. Cinat, William D. Gearhart, Kathleen J. Hansen, Donald S. Lenk, Jr., David Robbins, Karl L. Smart, Thomas A. Vallar Susanne Warren and Diane L. Whitmer. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>TC>Quality

Quantum Leaps  

The presenter describes a long series of technological assistive devices she has used to overcome a double disability--—blindness and deafness—--over the past 30 years in pursuing a highly successful career in technical communication. She also demonstrates the equipment and shows how it makes it possible for her to do her job.

Hogg, Maureen. STC Proceedings (2005). Articles>TC>Accessibility>Universal Usability

Question Negotiation and the Technological Environment    

The information world is a very different place in 2003 than it was a few years ago. It is possible, for example, to find information more quickly and easily than ever before, using new tools, and drawing on sources of information unavailable or even nonexistent not so very long ago. People seeking answers or providing them now have many more options for 'question negotiation', in the broadest Tayloresque sense. Consulting an information professional continues to be one of those options. In fact, such professionals can now be much more accessible via these new tools and technologies.

Janes, Joseph and Joanne Silverstein. D-Lib Magazine (2003). Articles>Interviewing>TC

Review: Questioning the Motives of Technical Communication and Rhetoric: Steven Katz's 'Ethic Of Expediency'    

By emphasizing the negative meanings of words, ignoring variations in translations, and quoting out of context, Steven B. Katz has argued in an influential article that an 'ethic of expediencyunderlies technical communication and deliberative rhetoric, and by extension writing pedagogy and practice based on it.' Katz's assertion misrepresents the motive of technical communication and its pedagogy, and it brings discredit to the professions of technical communication and the teaching of technical communication. His attempt to discredit the motive of technical communication is part of a two-millennia-long contest for status between intellectuals and the working classes, and it creates unnecessary mistrust at a time in history when people must focus even more on cooperating socially in order to sustain democratic cultures and our physical environment for future generations.

Moore, Patrick. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication (2004). Articles>Reviews>TC

A Quick Look Inside Standards for Technical Communication  

Learn about different types of standards and STC's role in producing and promoting standards for technical communication.

Reilly, Annette D. Intercom (2006). Articles>TC>Standards

Readers' Comprehension Responses in Informative Discourse: Toward Connecting Reading and Writing in Technical Communication    

A qualitative study using reading protocols suggests that when readers of informative documents understand conveyed information satisfactorily, they make direct confirmations and positive comprehension evaluations. When readers are uncertain about the accuracy of their understanding, they guess, make assumptions, or render the text's language into their own words. When readers' understanding is impaired, they ask for more clearly established links or relationships in the text, or they pinpoint some ambiguity or lack of resolution. When readers' understanding is unsatisfactory but not impaired, they request additional information. In addition, readers make evaluative suggestions that introduce, focus, emphasize, or reiterate their other comprehension-related responses. The response patterns isolated in this qualitative study indicate the need for specific quantitative research and suggest some directions for developing reader-based heuristics for informative writing.

Roberts, David D. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication (1989). Articles>TC>Instructional Design

Reading and Writing for Engineering Students  

Since numerous engineering colleges are currently creating or expanding programs in technical communication, many universities are debating whether the program should be placed in the English department or in the college of engineering itself. In arguing for the latter option, a number of technical writing teachers have published the opinion that our courses are markedly different from general courses on expository prose which are taught in English departments. This is true; there are essential points of departure. However, one difference that is frequently cited is the requiring of a good deal of reading during a writing course. This approach is generally associated with English departments, having no relevance to the way technical writing is properly taught. In this paper, I shall present two reasons for including numerous reading assignments when teaching technical writing to engineering students, and I shall suggest methods by which to do so.

Spretnak, Charlene M. JAC (1983). Articles>Education>TC

Rearticulating Civic Engagement Through Cultural Studies and Service-Learning    

Although service-learning has the potential to infuse technical communication pedagogy with civic goals, it can easily be co-opted by a hyperpragmatism that limits ethical critique and civic engagement. Service-learning's component of reflection, in particular, can become an uncritical, narrow invention or project management tool. Integrating cultural studies and service-learning can help position students as critical citizens who produce effective and ethical discourse and who create more inclusive forms of power. Rather than being tacked on, cultural studies approaches should be incorporated into core service-learning assignments.

Scott, J. Blake. Technical Communication Quarterly (2004). Articles>TC>Cultural Theory

Rechartering: Taking the Pulse of Your Community

Rechartering, as many of you know, means examining and refining your community’s purpose, mission, goals, and plan for delivering value to your members. Through the recommendations of STC’s regional directors and of the communities transformation committee, the board approached about thirty communities and asked them to participate in the pilot program. Twenty-four communities (eighteen professional chapters, three student chapters, and three SIGs) agreed to the experiment.

Oestreich, Linda L. Tieline (2005). Articles>TC>Community Building>STC

Recognizing Quality Achievement  

Smart summarizes the history and purpose of the Malcolm Baldridge Award. Given annually by the National Institute for Standards and Technology, the Baldridge Award recognizes companies that show an organization-wide concern for improving quality.

Smart, Karl L. Intercom (2001). Articles>TC>Quality

Redefining Technical Communication  

When people hear the term Technical Communication, they often conjure up an image of a hefty document filled with numbers, formulas and perhaps schematic drawings; something they would never need to read or want to read. The definition of Technical Communication needs to be expanded to include the types of communication we all experience every day. High school teachers will then be able to relate more easily to the concept of Technical Communication and be prepared to teach students the skills they need to succeed in today's workforce.

Moretto, Lisa A. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>TC

Reflections of a GTA on the Teaching of Technical Writing

Though I have a degree in technical communication and have worked as a technical writer for four years, I still had no idea what should be taught in a technical writing classroom, or how one should go about teaching it. Before I ventured into the arena as an instructor, I wanted to find out what goes on in a technical writing classroom. Two types of practical research that I thought would provide some insight into technical writing instruction were: an observation of different technical communication classrooms; and a survey of various textbooks available for technical communication courses.

Anderson, Ginger. Michigan Tech University (1998). Articles>Education>TC>Technical Writing

Remember Your First Meeting?

I walked into my first meeting in Northeast Ohio and didn't know anyone. I no sooner stuck my name badge to my shirt and someone was there to introduce themselves to me. From there, the person took me around the room and introduced me to others. I left that night feeling as though I had met 20 new professionals in my field. I couldn't wait to go to the next meeting. This fall, many of you and your chapter leaders will be running formal membership drives. You will be looking for new members and trying to identify ways to retain your current membership. You don't have to be the Membership Drive Chairperson or on the committee to help. Here are a few suggestions.

Bates, Michael P. STC Northeast Ohio (2002). Articles>TC>Collaboration

Rendering Technical Communication: Toward a First Philosophy of First Principles  

This presentation examines a tension—common to students, practitioners, and academics—central to answering some form of the question ‘what is technical communication?’ The tension can arise in the attempt to provide a concise yet sufficient answer that embodies the variety of either the skills used in preparing technical communication, or the types of technical communication produced. Principles of classical rhetoric are useful in examining this communicative tension, and the role of first principles in technical communication is scrutinized. From this the formulation of a first philosophy of first principles is attempted toward addressing the popular communicative tension.

Stone, Ronald L. STC Proceedings (1996). Articles>TC>Rhetoric

Rendezvous with KnowGenesis - Peter Ring    

Documents should be user-friendly, no doubt. And tools need to be writer-friendly, and bring out the best ability of the writer to create user-friendly documents. From user-friendliness to how technical writing has changed over the years, Peter Ring shares with us insights gained from decades of experience in the field.

Kudesia, Saurabh. International Journal for Technical Communication (2006). Articles>TC

Rendezvous with KnowGenesis: Dr. Carol M. Barnum    

Carol M. Barnum is Professor of Technical Communication and Director of the Usability Center, at Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, GA. She is also a technical communication consultant specializing in custom training and usability, an award-winning author, a top presenter at the Society for Technical Communication (STC) annual conferences, a Fellow of STC, and a recipient of the STC's Jay R. Gould Award for Excellence in Teaching Technical Communication. She was a member of the STC's board of directors for seven years, three years as a Director-Sponsor and four years as Assistant to the President for Publications. Her graduate and undergraduate courses in technical communication at Southern Polytechnic include a graduate level course in usability testing. Her consulting work includes testing hardware, computer-based training, software, and websites. Her most recent book, Usability Testing and Research, reflects the focus of her work on usability since 1992. In her discussion with KnowGenesis, she shared her views on how organizations can benefit by investing more on usability research.

Kudesia, Saurabh. International Journal for Technical Communication (2006). Articles>Interviews>TC>User Experience

Rendezvous with KnowGenesis: Geoffrey Sauer    

An interview with Geoffrey Sauer, a professor of Rhetoric and Professional Communication and the director of the EServer TC Library.

Sauer, Geoffrey and Saurabh Kudesia. International Journal for Technical Communication (2007). Articles>Interviews>TC

Rendezvous with KnowGenesis: Mark H. Clifford    

Mark H. Clifford's career in technical communication has included managing eighty-plus writers and designers engaged on projects with clients in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. He was part of a project team that developed a process model for outsourcing, and then running technical communication groups for major organizations (HP, Nokia, Ferranti) worldwide. He currently runs his own information design and recruitment company, providing consultancy and resource solutions for European clients from offices in the UK and France.

Kudesia, Saurabh. International Journal for Technical Communication (2006). Articles>Interviews>TC

Rendezvous with KnowGenesis: Nick Maselli, Senior Manager, English Editing Group, UTStarcom Telcom, People's Republic of China    

An interview with Nick Maselli, Senior Manager, English Editing Group, UTStarcom Telcom, People's Republic of China.

Kudesia, Saurabh. International Journal for Technical Communication (2007). Articles>Interviews>TC

Research Techniques For Technical Communicators  

Research in technical communication is similar to, yet often pragmatically different from, research in the sciences or the humanities. Researchers may gather information for practical writing projects and/or conduct long-term experiments to increase knowledge about a subject. They are required to use electronic media to discover printed sources, simulations, and demonstrations, yet they are encouraged to do much work 'on their own,' without electronic assistance. To work within technology, science, and communication, technical communicators need to develop a variety of qualitative and quantitative research skills.

Porter, Lynnette R. STC Proceedings (1994). Articles>Research>TC

Research-Based Observations

Every year since 1983, I have reviewed (and summarized) most of the usability-related research literature that was published during the previous year. This has provided the basis for the popular, annual 3-day User Interface Update course. My annual two-month read and review activity provides me with a number of research-based insights into 'what works' and 'what does not work' in usability. I have listed some of these insights below.

Bailey, Robert. Human Factors International (2001). Articles>Usability>TC

Reshaping Technical Communication: New Directions and Challenges for the 21st Century    

A discussion of future directions for the fields of technical and professional communication.

Bridgeford, Tracy. Technical Communication Quarterly. Articles>TC