Selzer Handout

Why did Jack Selzer want to study the composting processes of an engineer?

When talking about writing to academic setting normally comes to mind. I see a older man with tweed blazer with leather patches writing about something deep and personally moving. This is one one image of a writer.

When Selzer was studying Kenneth E. Nelson he wanted to see a writer outside of an academic setting. An engineer works outside and with his hands. They need to type up a progress report to submit to multiple audiences.

Selzer wanted to learn how engineers do the writing that they do. Not so much about what they write.

What did you find to be unique?

One of the most suprising things I learned about a writer for engineering was Nelson's ability to reuse and reinvent the same information for a different audience. It is easy to lose sight of your audience because they are not in front of to give you notes.

Nelson also had a small amount of revising and only make minor edit after his secretary edits it.

Nelson spends a great deal of research on understanding his audience. (80% of his time)

Nelson had stylistic rules that he followed with every document, including short sentences, a topic sentence in every paragraph, and uses simple grammar.

How did Selzer prove he was correct?

Selzer wanted to understand a better way to prepare his students for a career in writing. He felt that studying Nelson would teach his students to re-use previously written material. Nelson helped prove Selzer right because of he was able to do his job quickly and effectually.

Selzer tape recorded the before and after Nelson would write. Not during because it was an unnatural feeling.

Selzer did physically observe and interview Nelson of a few occasions and looked at all his drafts, notes, and edits written by other people.

Why did Selzer use multiple data collection methods?

If Selzer was to just do a face-to-face interview with Nelson then he would be unable to see what Nelson does without thinking. When you are being interviewed, you think before you say, even if you don't mean to. Selzer outsourced to people that edit Nelson to understand what he does consistently.