This article describes a practical rationale for the use of documentation in technical or business reports and articles based on a definition of documentation which emphasizes its role in providing support for theses. Stressing the “evidential” aspect of documentation, and the importance of “verifiability,” the article shows how the concept of documentation is relevant to both primary and secondary research reporting. Advantages which follow from this approach are pointed out. The approach described is one formulated for and currently being used in technical and business writing courses at Auburn University.
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