Journal of Business and Technical Communication Oct 2019

Dissensus, Resistance, and Ideology: Design Thinking as a Rhetorical Methodology

April Greenwood Michigan State University ; Benjamin Lauren Michigan State University ; Jessica Knott ; Dànielle Nicole DeVoss Michigan State University

Abstract

Design thinking—at times described as a mind-set, practice, process, method, methodology, tool, heuristic, and more—is a productive, iterative approach used to engage divergent thinking. Often made up of stages incorporating empathy, definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing, design thinking provides a framework for identifying and approaching problems. Design thinking, however, generally lacks a critical–rhetorical–methodological structure that makes room for what Rebecca Burnett called “substantive conflict,” or “conflict that deals with critical issues of content and rhetorical elements.” This article situates design thinking across the professional and academic spaces in which it is heralded and implemented in order to explore how it can be used in collaborative contexts to support substantive, productive dissensus. The authors lean on the ways in which they engage in design thinking in their different roles to situate the good, the bad, and the ugly of design thinking. They conclude by suggesting a rhetorical methodology for cultivating design thinking that facilitates dissensus, addresses resistance, and considers ideological variables.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2019-10-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651919854063
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Open Access
Closed
Topics
rhetorical criticism collaborative writing
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (8)

  1. Banville et al. (2026)
    Wicked modes in UX: Pedagogical considerations for data détournement
    Computers and Composition
  2. Tham (2025)
    Design Thinking in Business and Professional Communication Pedagogy: A Review o…
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  3. Weber et al. (2025)
    Perspectives on UX Practices for American Entrepreneurs: A Survey of User Engag…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Johnson-Eilola et al. (2023)
    Technical Communication as Assemblage
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Moreau (2022)
    Teaching Students in the Technical and Professional Communication Classroom Pra…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 8 →
  1. Pellegrini (2022)
    Composing Like an Entrepreneur: The Pedagogical Implications of Design Thinking…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Pellegrini (2022)
    Review of "Design Thinking in Technical Communication: Solving Problems through…
    Communication Design Quarterly
  3. Tham (2022)
    Pasts and Futures of Design Thinking: Implications for Technical Communication
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

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CrossRef global citation count: 25 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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