Preparing Technical Writing Students to Write for the Government

Abstract

Technical writing students need information about writing for the government: one out of every eight technical writers works in some level of government. Those who do not might become involved in writing for the government in some other capacity, such as writing industrial proposals to obtain grants and contracts, or preparing scientific reports or technical manuals to fulfill the requirements of those grants or contracts. Such writing requires a familiarity with government specifications and standards. Some colleges offer courses in government writing. Those schools that cannot might consider incorporating information about government specifications and standards into their basic technical writing course.