Technical Communication Quarterly Dec 2008

Genetics Interfaces: Representing Science and Enacting Public Discourse in Online Spaces

Michelle Sidler Auburn University ; Natasha Jones

Abstract

This article analyzes the Web interfaces of two well-known national civic action groups, both related to genetics research: the Genetic Alliance and the Innocence Project. These two sites are excellent examples of interface design and information retrieval, and they also attempt to translate complex science to the general public, even those traditionally most underrepresented and marginalized by the complexities of science and technology. The Genetic Alliance and Innocence Project provide excellent case studies for technical communication courses about the necessity to marry factual scientific knowledge with cultural and emotional rhetorics while providing an interface for multiple stakeholders in public policy change.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
2008-12-04
DOI
10.1080/10572250802437317
Open Access
Closed
Topics
public rhetoric

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (8)

  1. Pigg et al. (2022)
    When Extension and Rhetorical Engagement Meet: Framing Public Audiences for Agr…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Williams (2022)
    Gun Control and Gun Rights: A Conceptual Framework for Analyzing Public Policy …
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Voeller (2019)
    The Digital Sensorium: Considering the Senses in Website Design
    Computers and Composition
  4. Gallagher et al. (2019)
    Empty Templates: The Ethical Habits of Empty State Pages
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Schuster (2019)
    Emotional Appeals and Moral Standards: Rhetorical Arguments in Court Cases
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Show all 8 →
  1. Clayson (2018)
    Distributed writing as a lens for examining writing as embodied practice
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Reed (2018)
    Building on Bibliography: Toward Useful Categorization of Research in Rhetorics…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Jones et al. (2012)
    Plain Language in Environmental Policy Documents: An Assessment of Reader Compr…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (10)

  1. Simmons et al. (2007)
    Toward a Civic Rhetoric for Technologically and Scientifically Complex Places: …
    College Composition and Communication
  2. Myers (2007)
    The Use of Pathos in Charity Letters: Some Notes toward a Theory and Analysis
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Kimball (2006)
    Cars, Culture, and Tactical Technical Communication
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Hawk (2004)
    Toward a Post-Techne-Or, Inventing Pedagogies for Professional Writing
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Rude (2004)
    Toward an Expanded Concept of Rhetorical Delivery: The Uses of Reports in Publi…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 10 →
  1. Sidler (2004)
    The not-so-distant future: Composition studies in the culture of biotechnology
    Computers and Composition
  2. Ceccarelli (2004)
    Neither Confusing Cacophony Nor Culinary Complements
    Written Communication
  3. Haas et al. (2001)
    Writing as an Embodied Practice
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. Grobman (1999)
    Beyond Internationalization
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Thralls et al. (1993)
    The social perspective and pedagogy in technical communication
    Technical Communication Quarterly
Also cites 3 works outside this index ↓
  1. Hayles N. K. (1999)
    How we became posthuman: Virtual bodies in cybernetics, literature, and informatics.
     ↗
  2. Miller C. (1979)
    10.2307/375964
    College English  ↗
  3. Selfe C. L. (1994)
    10.2307/358761
    College Composition and Communication  ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 15 View in citation network →

Related Articles

  1. Research in the Teaching of English Nov 2025
    Birds Aren’t Real: Vigilante Civic Literacies for Classroom Counterpublics ↗
    William J. Fassbender; Bradley Robinson
    public rhetoric
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly Oct 2025
    Social Mediations: Writing for Digital Public Spheres ↗
    Jamie Littlefield
    social media public rhetoric
  3. Philosophy & Rhetoric Apr 2025
    What It Takes to Want to Turn to Others ↗
    Nirvana Tanoukhi
    public rhetoric
  4. Poroi Dec 2024
    Ethos and expertise in the making of a celebrity (citizen) scientist ↗
    Nolan Speicher
    public rhetoric voice and style argument
  5. Rhetoric & Public Affairs Dec 2024
    Certainty Through Compromise: Wilderness Debates in the Utah Public Lands Initiative and the Search for “Stable Ground” ↗
    Joshua Smith
    multilingual writers public rhetoric