Written Communication Jan 2010

The Common Topoi of STEM Discourse: An Apologia and Methodological Proposal, With Pilot Survey

Lynda Walsh University of Nevada, Reno

Abstract

In this article, the author proposes a methodology for the rhetorical analysis of scientific, technical, mathematical, and engineering (STEM) discourse based on the common topics (topoi) of this discourse. Beginning with work by Miller, Prelli, and other rhetoricians of STEM discourse—but factoring in related studies in cognitive linguistics—she argues for a reimagining of topoi as basic schema that interrelate texts, objects, and writers in STEM communities. Then, she proposes a topical method as a stable, broadly applicable heuristic that may help fit the rhetorical dynamics of the much-studied research article (RA) into the wider context of written technical discourse—exactly the type of improvement that Gross, Fahnestock, and others have proposed. Finally, as an illustration of this argument, the author performs a pilot topical survey of 18 RAs representing six STEM disciplines. This survey yields a set of 30 topoi used samplewide that can form a starting point for future surveys. She answers challenges to the significance and relevance of a topical method and finishes by sketching some future applications of the method that can move rhetoric of science beyond the RA.

Journal
Written Communication
Published
2010-01-01
DOI
10.1177/0741088309353501
Open Access
Closed
Topics
writing across the curriculum scientific writing multilingual writers

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (12)

  1. Tham (2026)
    Exploring the Rhetorical and Agentive Functions of Scholarly Biosketches in Aca…
    Rhetoric Review
  2. Fahnestock (2025)
    The Controversy behind the Controversies: Scientific Discourse in the Twenty-Fi…
    Rhetoric Society Quarterly
  3. Carter (2023)
    Identifying Specific Arguments in Discussion Sections of Science Research Artic…
    Rhetoric Review
  4. DeJeu (2023)
    The <i>Topoi</i> of Small Business Entrepreneurship
    Written Communication
  5. Lambrecht (2023)
    Working to Resonate: Rhetorical Mapping of Disciplinary Stances about Technolog…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 12 →
  1. Banting (2023)
    Humanistic Knowledge-Making and the Rhetoric of Literary Criticism: Special Top…
    Written Communication
  2. Carter (2021)
    The Construction of Value in Science Research Articles: A Quantitative Study of…
    Written Communication
  3. Mehlenbacher (2019)
    Registered Reports: Genre Evolution and the Research Article
    Written Communication
  4. Reid (2019)
    Compressing, Expanding, and Attending to Scientific Meaning: Writing the Semiot…
    Written Communication
  5. Walsh (2018)
    Visual Invention and the Composition of Scientific Research Graphics: A Topolog…
    Written Communication
  6. Ross (2013)
    Common Topics and Commonplaces of Environmental Rhetoric
    Written Communication
  7. Walker et al. (2012)
    “No One Yet Knows What the Ultimate Consequences May Be”
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication

Cites in this index (11)

  1. Leff (2006)
    Up from Theory: Or I Fought the Topoi and the Topoi Won
    Rhetoric Society Quarterly
  2. Kain (2005)
    Constructing Genre: A Threefold Typology
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Fahnestock (2005)
    Rhetoric of Science: Enriching the Discipline
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Wilder (2005)
    “The Rhetoric of Literary Criticism” Revisited
    Written Communication
  5. Henze (2004)
    Emergent Genres in Young Disciplines: The Case of Ethnological Science
    Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 11 →
  1. Wilder (2002)
    “Get Comfortable With Uncertainty”
    Written Communication
  2. FAHNESTOCK et al. (1988)
    The Stases in Scientific and Literary Argument
    Written Communication
  3. Miller (1987)
    Aristotle's “special topics”; in rhetorical practice and pedagogy
    Rhetoric Society Quarterly
  4. FAHNESTOCK (1986)
    Accommodating Science
    Written Communication
  5. MYERS (1985)
    The Social Construction of Two Biologists' Proposals
    Written Communication
  6. Winterowd (1973)
    "Topics" and Levels in the Composing Process
    College English
Also cites 12 works outside this index ↓
  1. Fahnestock, J. (1999)
    Rhetorical figures in science
     ↗
  2. Galison, P. (2008). Ten problems in history and philosophy of science. Isis, 99, 111-124. Gaonkar, D. P. (199…
     ↗
  3. Gross, A.G. (2002)
    Communicating science: The scientific article from the 17th century to the present
     ↗
  4. 10.1016/S0271-5309(96)00023-7
     ↗
  5. 10.1525/rh.1983.1.1.23
     ↗
  6. 10.2307/412701
     ↗
  7. 10.1515/9783112329924
     ↗
  8. 10.1080/01638538609544632
     ↗
  9. 10.1177/030631284014004001
     ↗
  10. 10.1080/10350330802469961
     ↗
  11. 10.1080/00335637209383137
     ↗
  12. 10.1080/09500690500336601
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 26 View in citation network →

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