10 July 2006 (Diction_notes.doc)
Notes
Review of research
Diction
Anthony, L. 2006. Developing a freeware, multiplatform corpus analysis toolkit for the
technical writing classroom. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication 49 (3):
275-286. [E-reserves]
Paulson, E, J. Alexander, and S. Armstrong. 2007. Peer review re-viewed: Investigating the
juxtaposition of composition students' eye movements and peer-review process.
Research in the Teaching of English 41 (3): 304-335. [E-reserves]
Plain English
Jacobson, R. 2006. Plain language in the federal government. The Editorial Eye 29 (7): 1-4.
[E-reserves]
Plain language: Improving communications from the Federal Government to the public. n.d.
PlainLanguage.gov. 5 July 2007.
Provides a link to plain language resources specifically for writers and editors.
Thrush, Emily. 2001. Plain English? A study of plain English vocabulary and international
audiences. Technical Communication 48 (3): 289-296.
Simplified Technical English
Fonesca, David. 2006. How simple is Simplified Technical English? Intercom 53 (2): 20-22.
Lester, Larry. 2006. Simplified Technical English: STC should take the lead. Intercom 53 (7):
22-23.
Available only to STC members.
Thomas, Margaret, Gloria Jaffe, J. Peter Kincaid, and Yvette Stees. 1992. Learning to use
Simplified English: A preliminary study, Technical Communication 39 (1): 69-73.
STE websites
Aerospace and Defense Simplified Technical English Maintenance Group (ASD STEMG)
Boeing's Phantom Works: Simplified English Checker
Smart Communications' Simplified English and Controlled English
Userlab Inc.'s Simplified English
Standards
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Jones’ Technical Writing Style
The following vocabulary and list of writing styles were taken from Chapters 5–6 of Jones’
Technical Writing Style. All page references are to his text.
Vocabulary
You are responsible for the following vocabulary:
Common diction faults
Jones identifies the following common diction faults:

Quiz
You have 15 minutes for this quiz. You may use your texts; however, if you do quote, paraphrase,
or summarize information from any of your texts, please cite the source (title and page
parenthetically). Please write as much as you can as quickly as you can.
1.
D2L small-group assignment
Please complete the following tasks:
1.