Hypertext Theory and Web Writing Assignments in the Writing and Professional Communication Classroom

Abstract

This chapter proposes that composition instructors focus less on the technical aspects of having students get Web pages published and more on teaching them basic hypertext principles, visual design principles, and writing strategies for presenting arguments in hypertext form. More and more professional and technical communication courses are incorporating Web page creation and/or website design into their pool of required assignments, while at the same time a growing number of first-year composition instructors are also beginning to incorporate Web pages into their repertoire of genres. This convergence is creating interesting paradoxes for instructors of both types and for website developers in the workplace. If basic hypertext principles are taught in earlier prerequisite courses, technical communication instructors could spend more time teaching more advanced hypertext theories and instructing students in the more technical aspects of the software they are using.