Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 2020

Zombie Ent(r)ailments in Risk Communication: A Rhetorical Analysis of the CDC’s Zombie Apocalypse Preparedness Campaign

Ryan Cheek Utah State University

Abstract

Apocalypticism is a powerful brew of eschatological belief and political imagination that is extremely persuasive. This article addresses the intersections between apocalyptic rhetoric and the technical communication of risk, disease outbreak, and disaster preparedness by analyzing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s zombie apocalypse preparedness campaign. Specifically, I argue that the framing of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s campaign relies on and extends problematic iterations of apocalypticism and undermines the educational objectives of disaster preparedness and response. I conclude with suggestions for how technical communicators designing public awareness and outreach campaigns can use existential risk rhetoric for engagement without succumbing to the pernicious side effects of apocalypticism.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2020-10-01
DOI
10.1177/0047281619892630
Open Access
Closed
Topics
multimodality technical communication

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

  1. Lambrecht (2025)
    Risk Revisited: The Role of Technical Communication in Negotiating Barriers to …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Madson (2024)
    Cannabis Risk Communication: A Scoping Review with a Research Agenda
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Itchuaqiyaq et al. (2022)
    Sex Work and Professional Risk Communication: Keeping Safe on the Streets
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication

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    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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Also cites 7 works outside this index ↓
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CrossRef global citation count: 5 View in citation network →

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