Technical Communication Quarterly Oct 2024

“A Proficiency in What We Call Rhetoric”: A Role for Community-Engaged Technical Communicators in Interpretive Planning Processes

Lauren E. Cagle University of Kentucky

Abstract

Non-formal learning institutions use interpretive plans to create effective interpretation (mission-based communications) for their visitors. This article argues that interpretive planning offers professional and technical communicators great potential for engaging with communities. Following an introduction to the field of interpretation and interpretive planning, I explain how interpretive plans are a type of metagenre. I then provide technical communicators with specific examples of how technical communicators’ expertise is relevant to interpretation.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
2024-10-01
DOI
10.1080/10572252.2023.2240856
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
rhetorical criticism technical communication
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Stephens et al. (2025)
    Connecting the User-Centered Design Process to Broader Outcomes in a Risk Commu…
    Communication Design Quarterly

References (47) · 14 in this index

  1. Andersen (2015)
    The emergence of content strategy work and recommended resources
    Communication Design Quarterly
  2. Aristotle (1954)
    Rhetoric: Book I
  3. Batova et al. (2016)
    Introduction to the Special Issue: Content Strategy— A Unifying Vision
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. Britt B. C. (2021)
    The roles of medium and narrative believability in guided mobile tour navigation
    Technical Communication
  5. Brochu L. (2014)
    Interpretive planning: The 5-M model for successful planning projects
Show all 47 →
  1. 10.1111/j.1937-8327.1998.tb00091.x
     ↗
  2. Carliner S. (2001)
    Modeling information for three-dimensional space: Lessons learned from museum exhibit design
    Technical Communication
  3. Clark (2016)
    Content Strategy: An Integrative Literature Review
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. Conway M. (2020)
    Audio description: making useful maps for blind and visually impaired people
    Technical Communication
  5. 10.1177/1053825920979626
     ↗
  6. Dyehouse (2011)
    “A Textbook Case Revisited”: Visual Rhetoric and Series Patterning in the Ameri…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  7. Edbauer (2005)
    Unframing models of public distribution: From rhetorical situation to rhetorica…
    Rhetoric Society Quarterly
  8. E Silva A. D. S. (2014)
    The mobile story: Narrative practices with locative technologies
  9. FAHNESTOCK (1986)
    Accommodating Science: The Rhetorical Life of Scientific Facts
    Written Communication
  10. 10.4324/9781315753423
     ↗
  11. 10.21832/9781845411657
     ↗
  12. Giltrow J. (2002)
    The rhetoric and ideology of genre: Strategies for stability and change
  13. Gonzales et al. (2016)
    Revising a Content-Management Course for a Content Strategy World
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  14. Greenwood D. J. (2006)
    Introduction to action research: Social research for social change
  15. Greer J. (2016)
    Pedagogies of public memory: Teaching writing and rhetoric at museums, archives, and memorials
  16. Greer J. (2016)
    Pedagogies of public memory: Teaching writing and rhetoric at museums, memorials, and archives
  17. 10.4324/9780203028322
     ↗
  18. Henning T. B. (2008)
    Museum exhibits and science literacy: Using technical writing and science to make connect…
    The Journal of Effective Teaching
  19. 10.4324/9780203937525
     ↗
  20. Ingham Z. (2000)
    Technical communication, deliberative rhetoric, and environmental discourse: Connections …
  21. Itchuaqiyaq et al. (2022)
    To Community with Care: Enacting Positive Barriers to Access as Good Relations
    Community Literacy Journal
  22. Johnson R. R. (1998)
    User-centered technology a rhetorical theory for computers and other mundane artifacts
  23. Johnson et al. (2007)
    User-Centered Technology in Participatory Culture: Two Decades “Beyond a Narrow…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  24. Jones et al. (2016)
    Disrupting the Past to Disrupt the Future: An Antenarrative of Technical Commun…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  25. The Maldonian. (1898-1901). Local history collection Malden Public Library
  26. 10.4324/9780203033661
     ↗
  27. McNely (2017)
    Moments and Metagenres: Coordinating Complex, Multigenre Narratives
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  28. 10.1080/00335638409383686
     ↗
  29. Minkler M. (2002)
    Community-based participatory research for health
  30. National Association for Interpretation (2009)
    Standards and practices for interpretive planning
  31. National Association for Interpretation. (n.d.-a.). ABOUT. Retrieved February 2 2022 from https://www.interpn…
  32. National Association for Interpretation. (n.d.-b.). Mission vision and core values. Retrieved April 22 2020 f…
  33. Pantelides K. (2015)
    Composition forum
  34. Rai C. (2018)
    Field rhetoric: Ethnography, ecology, and engagement in the places of persuasion
  35. Schryer et al. (2005)
    Genre Theory, Health-Care Discourse, and Professional Identity Formation
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  36. Smithsonian Gardens. (2018). Smithsonian Gardens Exhibition Series 2019-2020 Interpretive Master Plan. https:…
  37. 10.4324/9781315604558
     ↗
  38. 10.1080/09647770100601903
     ↗
  39. Strantz (2015)
    Wayfinding in Global Contexts – Mapping Localized Research Practices with Mobil…
    Computers and Composition
  40. Tilden F. (1977)
    Interpreting our heritage
  41. Verhulsdonck et al. (2021)
    Investigating the Impact of Design Thinking, Content Strategy, and Artificial I…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  42. Washington Park Arboretum: Interpretive and Wayfinding Plan. (2005). https://depts.washington.edu/uwbg/docs/f…
CrossRef global citation count: 1 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication May 2026
    The User Experience of Virtual Reality for Longitudinal Writing: A Diary Study of Immersive Graduate Dissertation Composing Experience ↗
    Jason Tham; Rich Shivener; Niveditha Pookkottuvariam; Sarah Riddick
    rhetorical criticism graduate education technical communication archival research empirical research qualitative research
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Mar 2026
    Canon to Code: Rhetorical Rulemaking for Generative AI Content Audits and Governance ↗
    Miriam F. Williams
    classical rhetoric modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism assessment technical communication artificial intelligence
  3. Computers and Composition Mar 2026
    Shifting rhetorical agency in multimodal UX composition with AI: Sharing rhetorical authority with technologies ↗
    Nupoor Ranade; Daniel L. Hocutt
    modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism writing pedagogy technical communication multimodality
  4. Journal of Business and Technical Communication Jan 2026
    Increasing Literacy on the Scams Targeting Latines: Generative Artificial Intelligence, Digital Technologies, and the Latine Community ↗
    Gabriel Lorenzo Aguilar
    rhetorical criticism technical communication artificial intelligence literacy studies
  5. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 2026
    Lessons in Security Logics from Cold-War Guatemala ↗
    Brittany Halley; Elizabeth Velasquez
    rhetorical criticism decolonial rhetorics technical communication gender and writing