WINNERS: FRANK R. SMITH OUTSTANDING ARTICLE AWARD.

The Frank R. Smith Outstanding Article Award recognizes the authors of exceptional articles that appeared in the Society journal during the previous calendar year. Since 1966, STC has paid tribute to the authors whose contributions have made Technical communication the leader among journals

Judges base their decisions on the content and form of the presentations. Content is judged on the degree to which it represents contributions to new knowledge, new perspectives, or practical communication applications or techniques.

Form is judged by the degree to which it embodies effective and appropriate organization; apt language and effective syntax; relevant and meaningful tables and illustrations; and a spirit of vibrancy, intensity, conviction, and enthusiasm in transmitting information.

This year's judging panel consisted of Thomas E. Pinelli, associate fellow, Washington, DC Chapter; Dan Jones, fellow, Orlando Chapter; and Murrie W. Burgan, fellow, Metro Baltimore Chapter. The journal editor provided guidance for the selection committee but did not participate in their deliberations.

STC is pleased to honor the following authors and their work.

OUTSTANDING ARTICLE OF 2000

"Physical, cognitive, and affective: A three-part framework for information design"

November 2000

Saul Carliner

After establishing a compelling argument for the role and importance of design in presenting content, Carliner goes on to present a three-level model for information design. The model is placed in an intellectual context that includes previous research on information design as well as research from related subject areas. What makes the model (and hence the article) useful, however, is that it pushes the envelope by going beyond the production of information to include its transfer and use, thus completing the cycle. Researchers and practitioners alike should find this article and Carliner's model a rich addition to the theory and practice of technical communication and the design, transfer, and use of information.

AWARDS FOR DISTINGUISHED TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION

"The technical communicator's role in initiating cross-functional teams"

February 2000

Theresa Marchwinski

Karen Mandziuk

Marchwinski and Mandziuk provide an excellent analysis of cross-functional teams and their benefits to organizations. They discuss three case studies, showing the values and challenges of cross-functional teams to particular organizations. The authors also persuasively argue that technical communicators can be ideal choices for starting cross-functional approaches in their organizations because of their ability to analyze and communicate effectively.

"Developing heuristics for Web communication: An introduction to this special issue"

August 2000

Thea van der Geest

Jan H. Spyridakis

In this article, van der Geest and Spyridakis provide much needed heuristics for Web design and evaluation processes from a comprehensive communication perspective. They effectively develop five sets of heuristics concerning rhetorical situation, navigation, presentation of verbal and visual information, and involvement of users. Their heuristics are invaluable for Web site designers and developers as they consider the many aspects of Web site design.

"Knowledge management and leadership opportunities for technical communicators"

November 2000

Corey Wick

Wick convincingly demonstrates that knowledge management will play an increasingly central role in technical communication. He effectively summarizes four common approaches to knowledge management-document-centered, technological, and socio-organizational knowledge management, and the knowledge organization--and discusses how they can converge. Additionally, he offers a persuasive argument that technical communicators are uniquely qualified to become leaders in knowledge management efforts within organizations.