Technical Communication Quarterly Apr 2002

Techne and Technical Communication: Toward a Dialogue

Jay Gordon

Abstract

The classical Greek discourse on techne has much to offer technical communication teachers concerned about the relationship between theory and practice, but this potential has not yet been realized. Plato's and Aristotle's discussions about the relationship between techne and rhetoric, for example, encompass questions about the rhetorical goals of the speakedwriter and about the role of theory in teaching rhetorical art that are of continuing relevance to the modern discourse on technical communication. The aim of this article is to identify several points upon which a fruitful dialogue between ancient and modern discourses can begin. First, I supply some background on how the term techne was used up through the fourth century BCE. Then I discuss how the modern discourse on technical communication (including material from popular textbooks) both converges with and departs from Plato's and Aristotle's statements on the relationship between techne and rhetoric. Finally, I point out areas for further discussion as teachers of technical communication continue to reflect upon and refine their pedagogies.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
2002-04-01
DOI
10.1207/s15427625tcq1102_3
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Closed
Topics
classical rhetoric rhetorical criticism discourse analysis teacher development technical communication
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

  1. Cheek (2023)
    Making a Case for Political Technical Communication (Pxtc)
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Moran et al. (2011)
    A Bibliography of Works Published in the History of Professional Communication …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

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CrossRef global citation count: 2 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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