Written Communication Apr 1998

Embodied Knowledge

BEVERLY SAUER

Abstract

This article examines the highly specific problems of roof support in coal mines to construct a theoretical framework that describes how texts represent information that is embodied, sensory, and uncertain. As this analysis suggests, workers in risky environments may follow instructions and still fail as situations change. Engineering and management approaches also may fail unless they reflect the kinds of embodied sensory information decision makers need to assess risk in local contexts. This analysis then raises ethical questions about (a) textbook notions of instructions as systematic procedures designed to produce predictable outcomes, (b) limits of particular types of information as signs or indexes of risk, (c) the role of generalized knowledge in uncertain environments, (d) the role of texts in representing knowledge that is sensory and uncertain, and (e) the locus of responsibility for safety if knowledge exists outside of written texts.

Journal
Written Communication
Published
1998-04-01
DOI
10.1177/0741088398015002001
Open Access
Closed
Topics
multimodality multilingual writers

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (19)

  1. Burnett et al. (2025)
    Birthing Genre: Conventions of Rhetorical Situation and Accessibility of Inform…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Campeau (2023)
    Unofficial Vaccine Advocates: Technical Communication, Localization, and Care b…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Swacha (2018)
    “Bridging the Gap between Food Pantries and the Kitchen Table”: Teaching Embodi…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Clayson (2018)
    Distributed writing as a lens for examining writing as embodied practice
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Clayson (2018)
    Distributed Cognition and Embodiment in Text Planning: A Situated Study of Coll…
    Written Communication
Show all 19 →
  1. Weedon (2017)
    Representation in Engineering Practice: A Case Study of Framing in a Student De…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Owens et al. (2013)
    Writing With(out) Pain: Computing Injuries and the Role of the Body in Writing …
    Computers and Composition
  3. Teston (2012)
    Moving From Artifact to Action: A Grounded Investigation of Visual Displays of …
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Evia et al. (2012)
    Beyond Compliance
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Thompson (2009)
    Scaffolding in the Writing Center
    Written Communication
  6. Swarts et al. (2009)
    Guest Editors' Introduction: New Technological Spaces
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  7. Wolfe (2005)
    Gesture and Collaborative Planning
    Written Communication
  8. Scott (2005)
    Creating the Subject of Portfolios
    Written Communication
  9. Swarts (2004)
    Textual Grounding: How People Turn Texts into Tools
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  10. Horsley et al. (2002)
    Toward a Synthesis Model for Crisis Communication in the Public Sector
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  11. Haas et al. (2001)
    Writing as an Embodied Practice
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  12. Winsor (2001)
    Learning to Do Knowledge Work in Systems of Distributed Cognition
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  13. WINSOR (2000)
    Ordering Work
    Written Communication
  14. HERNDL et al. (2000)
    Research as Social Practice
    Written Communication

Cites in this index (3)

  1. SAUER (1996)
    Communicating Risk in a Cross-Cultural Context
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. SAUER (1993)
    Sense and Sensibility in Technical Documentation
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Winsor (1990)
    The Construction of Knowledge in Organizations: Asking the Right Questions abou…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Also cites 12 works outside this index ↓
  1. Collins, H. M.
    Artificial experts: Social knowledge and intelligent machines
     ↗
  2. 10.1109/47.108666
     ↗
  3. 10.1007/BF00146924
     ↗
  4. Giddens, A.
    Modernity and self-identity: Self and society in the late modern age
     ↗
  5. 10.1177/0306312793023003005
     ↗
  6. Merchant, C.
    The death of nature
     ↗
  7. 10.1515/9781400828494
     ↗
  8. 10.1177/0306312793023003003
     ↗
  9. 10.1109/47.180286
     ↗
  10. 10.1177/0306312793023003006
     ↗
  11. 10.1177/0306312793023003004
     ↗
  12. 10.1088/0963-6625/1/1/008
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 35 View in citation network →

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