Technical readers and their rhetorical roles

Abstract

Starting with the premise that there are two different ways of viewing readers, as empirical subjects and as rhetorical participants, the author presents a taxonomy of roles that readers play within technical documents. Even though these roles are shaped by distinct, often contradictory, theoretical traditions, they take on an independent existence during the reading process. Actual readers can assume a variety of roles, depending on the nature of the document and the willingness of each particular reader. Further, the author argues that this taxonomy is not complete, but subject to changes and additions as new technologies are developed requiring new roles to be played. It is concluded that researchers and teachers should encourage this more fluid view of audience in usability testing labs and classroom settings.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>

Journal
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published
1992-06-01
DOI
10.1109/47.144864
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (8)

  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  5. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Show all 8 →
  1. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

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