Are technical writing activities authentic? Do they develop literacy skills with any real-world value?
Technical writing in high school has a threefold authenticity: (1) It gives students skills identified as work-relevant in several influential, high-profile studies published both by government agencies and by parallel nonpartisan, nongovernmental projects. (2)It develops abilities recognized as vital for workplace success today by teachers and other school leaders who have personally explored the literacy demands of current jobs beyond school. (3)It promotes techniques and attitudes needed for responsible twenty-first century citizenship and parenthood, regardless of career.
