Miriam F. Williams
This site is a resource for my Technical Communication students at Texas State University.
Technical Communication Courses
Take a look at descriptions of the courses I've taught recently:
English 3303 Technical Writing (Fall 2004-Present)
English 5311 Foundations of Technical Communication - Online (Fall 2006, Spring 2007)
English 5313 Ethics In Technical Communication (Summer 2005 II, Summer I 2008)
English 5313 Research Methods (Fall 2008)
English 5314 Special Topics: Proposal Writing - Online (Spring 2007)
English 5314 Special Topics: Writing Public Policy (Spring 2004)
Research Interests
My curriculum vitae highlights my research interests. I am particularly interested in public policy documents and how the invention and style of these documents affect multicultural audiences within the United States. Contact me if you'd like to discuss my research or professional writing experience.
Recent Publications
My textbook with Libby Allison, Writing for the Government, is available at Amazon.com, Borders.com, and Barnes & Noble (BN.com). Writing for the Government, part of The Allyn & Bacon Series in Technical Communication, introduces students and practitioners to the various genres of technical communication created by federal, state, and local government agencies. The book provides real-life examples of government regulations, preambles, handbooks, policy memorandums, policy reports, request for proposals, and websites. The textbook also includes case studies that examine intergovernmental communication during Hurricane Katrina, the use of technical communication in environmental agencies, and technical communication between non-profits and government agencies. After reading this textbook, students and practitioners will understand how government documents help create, communicate, and implement public policy.
Resources
The following link will take you to some of my favorite technical communication sites.
Resources for Technical Communicators
"It is important for scientists to be aware of what our discoveries mean, socially and politically. It's a noble goal that science should be apolitical, acultural, and asocial, but it can't be, because it's done by people who are all of those things." Dr. Mae Jemison, Astronaut.
06.17.2008