The Rhetoric and Politics of Science in the Case of the Missouri River System — Rhetoric & Composition

Journal of Business and Technical Communication Oct 2005

The Rhetoric and Politics of Science in the Case of the Missouri River System

Margaret Baker Graham ; Neil Lindeman San Francisco State University

Abstract

Two versions of a biological opinion written by different teams in the U.S. Fish and Wild-life Service illuminate how different rhetorical strategies reflect different values. The historical narrative in the earlier biological opinion, which is used to argue for vigorous action to protect endangered species along the Missouri River, is largely erased in the later opinion that privileges human uses of the river system. This analysis emphasizes the problematic nature of authorship when the concept is applied to a document produced in an organization or agency. Moreover, examining how authors control information reveals the power technical writers have to influence meaning making.

Journal: Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published: 2005-10-01
DOI: 10.1177/1050651905278311
Open Access: Closed
Topics: multilingual writers

Citation Context

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What's Civic About Technical Communication? Technical Communication and the Rhe…

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Toward an Expanded Concept of Rhetorical Delivery: The Uses of Reports in Publi…

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