Maintains that the traditional plan of development, an essential element of the introduction to a formal report, invites boredom. Argues that an ideal plan shows not only the main divisions of the report, but also its challenges (problems, areas for further research, debatable issues) and items of special interest. (SR)

Describes current indexing systems, documents the shift from manual to automated indexing methods, and offers suggestions for writers and editors on the critical importance of careful wording and controlled vocabularies to ensure effective access to technical and scientific articles. Suggests teaching strategies for helping students control…

Contrasts the presentational mode of industrial writing--its strategies and techniques--with the reflective mode of traditional academic essay writing. Details industrial writing techniques and the organizational reasons for such techniques. (SR)

Argues that literature can be valuable in the technical writing class, focusing students' attention by: (1) providing useful models for students; and (2) allowing students to see how language operates in representations of particular organizations or cultures. (MG)

Points out that students can be motivated to improve their writing if writing assignments can be designed to be similar in scope and purpose to those that the students will be doing later in their professions. (EL)