Craft and Narrative in DIY Instructions

Derek Van Ittersum Kent State University

Abstract

Abstract This article examines tutorials from the Web site, Instructables.com, to highlight the rhetorical possibilities of including personal narratives in instructions. The narratives in these tutorials offer detailed accounts of their authors' experiences when constructing their projects, thereby functioning as accounts of the authors' craft knowledge. Pitched to amateur hobbyists, rather than the professional audiences of many forms of conventional technical communication, these tutorials offer new ways of teaching craft knowledge and techniques. Keywords: amateurcraftinstructionsmotivationnarrative Additional informationNotes on contributorsDerek Van Ittersum Derek Van Ittersum is an assistant professor of English at Kent State University, where he teaches in the Literacy, Rhetoric, and Social Practice graduate program. His research examines new writing technologies and innovative writing practices.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
2014-07-01
DOI
10.1080/10572252.2013.798466
Open Access
Closed

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (18)

  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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  5. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
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  2. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
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  6. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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  8. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  9. Technical Communication Quarterly
  10. Technical Communication Quarterly
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Cites in this index (10)

  1. College Composition and Communication
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 10 →
  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Rhetoric Society Quarterly
  4. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Also cites 5 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1177/105065198800200103
  2. 10.1080/1479142042000332134
  3. 10.1146/annurev.anthro.25.1.19
  4. Design discourse: Composing and revising programs in professional and technical writing
  5. 10.1007/978-1-84800-031-5_21
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