#13456
Authors often are unreceptive to editing because they see editorial comments and changes as arbitrary. Editing that offers “rules,” asks questions, gives choices to authors, and provides examples of better ways to express ideas takes very little additional editorial time and enables authors to see editing as a significant contribution to document quality. Writing problems that cannot be addressed during editing can be addressed in brief training sessions that encourage authors to incorporate what they learn into their writing.
Sartoris, Brenda E. STC Proceedings (1993). Presentations>Education>Editing
#18252
Education and Training Stem Overview 
The field of technical communication is transforming at a rapid rate, responding to scientific and technological advancements, economic pressures, and social changes. This makes our field exciting and challenging. The excitement and challenge is intensified for educators and trainers, because we must stay high on the learning curve in order to help prepare others to meet the challenges and prosper by the changes. At the same time, we must be sure to integrate new knowledge, technologies, and skills with what is valuable in the old rather than simply letting the new displace the old.
Hirst, Russel. STC Proceedings (1996). Presentations>Education>TC
#26945
The integration of technology into education includes increased educational Internet and web use. However the websites used in and for education are rarely critically examined, especially in regard to gender equality, design, and use. Print has been argued to carry with it certain attributes that disturb gender equality, so it is likely that electronic writing might cause similar problems.
Bowie, Jennifer L. Texas Tech University (2003). Presentations>Education>Web Design>Gender
#13246
The Effect of Text Structure on Text Comprehension of Japanese and American Readers
This paper presents the preliminary findings from a study that sought to determine whether Japanese and American readers’ comprehension of expository text is similarly affected by text organization. Results are presented and discussed with regard to their implications for technical communicators.
Spyridakis, Jan H. and Waka Fukuoka. STC Proceedings (2001). Presentations>Language>International>Writing
#21704
Effective Interpersonal Skills 
Become genuinely interested in other people. Call people by their names. Talk in terms of the other person's interest. Smile. Listen.
STC India (2003). Presentations>Collaboration>Workplace
#29380
An Effective PowerPoint Presentation Requires More Skill than Clipart 
PowerPoint is the jacks-or-better of the corporate world--you've got to have it in order to stay in the game. Just try giving a seminar without PowerPoint or showing up at a meeting with, gasp, paper handouts. I live in mortal fear that my eulogy will be delivered as a broken PowerPoint stack.
TechRepublic (2007). Articles>Presentations>Software>Microsoft PowerPoint
#18410
An essential aspect of any research project is dissemination of the findings arising from the study. The most common ways to make others aware of your work is by publishing the results in a journal article, or by giving an oral or poster presentation (often at a regional or national meeting). While efforts are made to teach the elements of writing a journal article in many graduate school curricula, much less attention is paid to teaching those skills necessary to develop a good oral or poster presentation - even though these arguably are the most common and most rapid ways to disseminate new findings. In addition, the skills needed to prepare an oral presentation can be used in a variety of other settings - such as preparing a seminar in graduate school, organizing a dissertaton defense, conducting a job interview seminar, or even addressing potential philanthropic sources!
University of Kansas. Articles>Presentations>Rhetoric>Scientific Communication
#13196
Effective Trends and Techniques for Integrating Type and Images
The integration of type and images can create a visual/verbal message for both print and on-line. To create this visual-verbal message, two problems must be resolved. First, visual organization is a problem, for two totally unlike systems of communication that must be merged into a cohesive whole. The second problem involves message making. These two unlike communication systems must come together to reinforce and extend one another. To effectively integrate type and images together it is essential to have a strong understanding of the elements and principles of design.
Miller, Susan G. STC Proceedings (2001). Presentations>Typography
#14522
Effects Of Documentation Errors On User Perception Of Interactive Programs: Conclusions And Results
Defining the quality of information has long been a controversial item. Many different theories and methodologies have been brought forward; almost all share at least one common basis— Typographical errors lower the perceived quality of information. In this experiment, the first of a planned, series, we examined the effects of typographical on the user’s perception of the quality of the product and documentation. The conclusions of this first study, and the implications we can make draw them, are presented in this paper.
See, Edward J.P. STC Proceedings (1994). Presentations>Documentation>Assessment
#14520
Effects Of Documentation Errors On User Perception Of Interactive Programs: Results
It would be useful to determine how much effect errors in product documentation have on users, if errors do not seriously interfere with product use. In an effort to start collecting information on this issue, we designed an experiment to explore the reactions of users to a simple interactive program with flawed documentation. We hypothesized that the product quality would be judged in part by the quality of the documentation, if the errors in the documentation interfered with task performance. We also hypothesized that some but not all users would be sensitive to documentation errors and would downgrade their rating of the program and the documentation based on these errors. The results of our experiment are presented in this paper.
Ridgway, Richard K. STC Proceedings (1994). Presentations>Documentation>Assessment
#18257
The Effects of Online Systems on Documentation Management
Online tools can improve documentation management in several ways, depending on management goals of cost, schedule, or quality. Cost management tools need integration with automated status and quality assessment tools. Workflow simulation tools show great promise for avoiding bottlenecks in the document development process. Automated tools can enforce quality checkpoints and provide model document templates. The continual evolution of online documents will require new management approaches and goals.
Reilly, Annette D. STC Proceedings (1996). Presentations>Documentation>Online
#20966
Eighteen Quick Tips for Designing Online Learning Exercises and Supplemental Information
How do you develop effective online learning? This interactive half-day workshop introduces you to 18 techniques, including the must-ask questions of a needs analysis, the must-consider issues for writing objectives, different learning models you can incorporate into courses, ways to keep learners' attention, and tips for designing screens and writing for online presentation.
Carliner, Saul. Saul Carliner Studio (2003). Presentations>Education>Instructional Design>Online
#14511
Electrify Your Work: Empowerment
We’ve all heard about empowerment. It means being innovative, taking risks, reaping rewards. But how do you apply it to your work? How can you empower yourself and others? This demonstration examines the true meaning of empowerment and offers time-tested scenarios to drive the points of empowerment home. See the empowered individual; feel the teamwork blossom; and learn how to “just say no”!
Walech-Roth, Laura L. STC Proceedings (1994). Presentations>Workplace>Collaboration
#14453
Electronic Support Systems for Technical Communication Teachers 
This presentation provided a rationale for electronic support systems and an overview of how such systems can be designed to meet the needs of technical communication teachers and programs.
Selber, Stuart A. CPTSC Proceedings (2000). Presentations>Education>Online>EPSS
#13290
Elements of Ethos in Web Design
When designing a complex online system, thoughtful use of appropriate prose style, information architecture and interface design all play a part in establishing a useful link between the designers of an online environment and the users of that environment. To keep users interested and engaged with the information in an online system, creating an engaging ethos for the site is essential. To learn how to apply ethos not only in prose style, but also in overall design, we must look to how ethos has been put to use in the past with the written and spoken word.
Damron, V. Michele, David Gillette and Dan Jones. STC Proceedings (2000). Presentations>Web Design
#28067
Embedding Flash Inside of a Powerpoint Presentation
Whenever people talk about "jazzing up" some of the Microsoft Office tools, PowerPoint always rises to the top of the list (but you can use this technique for any Office applications). We've all seen the presentations with that pat clip-art, the checkered fades, and those bullets that slide. Why not add some interactivity and exciting animation? Thanks to Microsoft's ActiveX technology we can.
Flashgeek.com (2006). Articles>Presentations>Multimedia>Microsoft PowerPoint
#30367
EMPI Digital Library National Convention - 2007 
Established in 2005, KnowGenesis Online Library for Technical Communication (www.knowgenesis.org/tc) is India's first online repository dedicated to accelerate knowledge sharing and promote self-learning in the field of technical communication. The library is available free of cost and require one time free registration to access the available material. The popularity and success rate of the library can be determined by the fact that within a year of its launch, it not only attracted more than 24000 visitors and gained more than 1500 subscribers, but also increased the volume of the hosted content from few documents to more than 2000 important documents, presentations, tutorials and links. KnowGenesis library presents a unique case for repository designers to study the complex design and implementation process that contributed to the stability and overall success rate of the online library. This paper not only shares the designing and implementation challenges faced by the knowgenesis team, but also presents the approach used to match the user requirements with the library design. Based on the lessons learned during the process, the paper also presents specific set of guidelines and recommends methodologies that can provide critical assistance for developing and managing medium and large scale repositories
Kudesia, Saurabh. International Journal for Technical Communication (2007). Presentations>Information Design>Knowledge Management>Technical Writing
#13289
An End-to-End Process for Creating and Validating Scenario-Driven Documentation
This paper describes the end-to-end approach we used to create and validate scenario-driven information for a new product. This approach focuses as much on designing and testing information as it does on writing the information.
Newman-Collins, Ann and Linda Streitfeld. STC Proceedings (2000). Presentations>Documentation>Assessment
#20525
Engage Yourself, Engage your Audience
Do you wish you were a more dynamic and compelling speaker? Do you want to know how to effectively engage your audience? In this article I identify 4 elements that enable you be at your best when speaking. The four elements are: Passionate, Analytical, Confiding and Extemporaneous or P.A.C.E.™
Hamilton, Jean. Presenters University (2003). Articles>Presentations>Rhetoric
#13288
Engineers at Work Developing Communication Skills for Professional Practice
The reviews of engineering education carried out in the USA, Canada and Australia have highlighted the importance of developing the communication skills of engineering students. An innovative curriculum has been developed at the University of Technology, Sydney (Australia) to prepare students for effective professional practice. The program has drawn on developments in writing studies and research into workplace practice. A core subject in Engineering Communication acts as a ‘hub’ for a Communication System which extends the development of communication abilities to staff, practitioners and self-directed learners.
McGregor, Helen. STC Proceedings (2000). Presentations>Education>Engineering
#13183
English in Technical Communication - Global Language, Global Culture?
English is used in global communication even between people who do not speak English as their mother tongue. Even though we may feel there are world wide subcultures such as modern technology we should note how much culture affects communication from the surface level of language to the more deeper level of our 'mental programming'. Keeping this in mind we should ask who actually owns the English language, if those who have it as mother tongue talk with people who have different mental models and their own culture as the background for the communicative event.
Kuusto, Marjo. STC Proceedings (2001). Presentations>Language>International
#14521
Enhancing The Review Process: Giving And Receiving Constructive Feedback
Clear, positive feedback can contribute significantly toward improving the quality of printed and on-line documentation. Wizen feedback is negative, unclear, or incomplete, however, the accuracy and quality of a document can suffer, and misunderstandings between colleagues can result. Those who are responsible for reviewing documental ion can enhance that process by knowing what type of feedback to provide and how to offer it in a clear and constructive way. Those who request feedback on their documentation projects also can enhance the review process by clearly identifying the project scope and specifying their evaluation needs to their reviewers.
Pritchard, Laurie N. STC Proceedings (1994). Presentations>Documentation>Workflow
#27073
Enlarge Image in Slide Show, Retaining Quality
Often when doing a presentation, you may want to enlarge an image using Emphasis: Grow effect in PowerPoint 2002/XP and above. You probably want to show a clearer view of a photograph. But enlarging with the Grow effect often ends up getting the image blurry/jagged. Now it looks ugly, you wouldn't want to show others an enlarged but poor quality picture, do you? When inserting the image, have it at the enlarged size. If you shrink the image and then enlarge it again, the quality will retain. But how do you shrink an image without the audience knowing? See the steps below.
PowerPoint Heaven (2005). Resources>Presentations>Software>Microsoft PowerPoint
#13287
Each of us has some opportunity to make the environment part of our consideration when designing technical communication. The environment is not something “out there” beyond our concern or our ability to respond. Rather it is a part of our everyday life and can be a part of our everyday decision making process. This paper explores how environmental considerations can and should be a part of design matters in technical communication. The paper elaborates a set of environmental guidelines that can be used by professionals working in the field and made a part of technical communication teaching. Even small changes can make a difference. Environmental design matters!
Gordon, Myra. STC Proceedings (2000). Presentations>Scientific Communication>Environmental
#13286
Establishing an Editorial Forum
With the advent of the World Wide Web, many areas besides Publications produce documents for outside customers. This paper discusses how to establish and organize a forum to make, track, and publicize company-wide style guidelines.
Gelb, Janice. STC Proceedings (2000). Presentations>Collaboration>Style Guides
