Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2019

Simulation Rhetoric and Activity Theory: Experiential Learning in Intercultural Simulations

Junhua Wang University of Minnesota, Duluth

Abstract

In the field of intercultural business and technical communication, intercultural communication has been a regular topic in curriculum for decades; various teaching approaches exist for developing students’ cultural awareness and helping them achieve a theoretical understanding about the concept of culture, cultural differences, and cultural conflict. But quite often teaching and learning are limited in the classroom context, although it is true that study abroad programs are available for a small group of students. As a result, students do not have enough opportunities to interact with members of other cultures, which limits students’ potentials for gaining intercultural competence. This study explores the rhetorical nature of simulations, defines the perspective of using activity theory as a framework to understand the learning process occurring in simulations, and provides an intercultural simulation example to explain how instructors can incorporate simulations into the business and technical communication curriculum.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2019-04-01
DOI
10.1177/0047281618824865
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
rhetorical criticism genre theory service learning teacher development technical communication
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Ray et al. (2024)
    Mapping Interaction Design in Global Health Interventions: A Comparative Analys…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

References (48) · 17 in this index

  1. Agboka (2012)
    Liberating Intercultural Technical Communication from “Large Culture” Ideologie…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Agboka (2013)
    Participatory Localization: A Social Justice Approach to Navigating Unenfranchi…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Aldrich C. (2004)
    Simulations and the future of learning
  4. Balzotti et al. (2016)
    Client-Based Pedagogy Meets Workplace Simulation: Developing Social Processes i…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  5. Barnum C. M. (2006)
    Technical Communication
Show all 48 →
  1. 10.1177/1046878115598481
     ↗
  2. 10.7551/mitpress/5334.001.0001
     ↗
  3. Campbell (2017)
    Simulation Genres and Student Uptake: The Patient Health Record in Clinical Nur…
    Written Communication
  4. 10.1016/j.nedt.2016.11.015
     ↗
  5. 10.1016/j.ecns.2017.08.004
     ↗
  6. Crookall D. (1995)
    Simulation and gaming across disciplines and cultures: ISAGA at a watershed
  7. Crookall D. (1989)
    Communication and simulation
  8. Ding (2010)
    Technical Communication Instruction in China: Localized Programs and Alternativ…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  9. Ding et al. (2013)
    Guest Editors' Introduction: New Directions in Intercultural Professional Commu…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  10. 10.1177/1046878117691076
     ↗
  11. Engeström Y. (1987)
    Learning by expanding: An activity-theoretical approach to developmental research
  12. Eyman D. (2008)
    Technical Communication
  13. Fisher (2007)
    CMS-based simulations in the writing classroom: Evoking genre through game play
    Computers and Composition
  14. Fowler S. M. (1995)
    Intercultural sourcebook: Cross-cultural training methods: Volume 1
  15. 10.1177/1046878109352204
     ↗
  16. Frost (2013)
    Transcultural Risk Communication on Dauphin Island: An Analysis of Ironically L…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  17. Gudykunst W. B. (2002)
    Handbook of international and intercultural communication
  18. Hertel J. (2002)
    Using simulations to promote learning in higher education: An introduction
  19. Hofstede G. (1991)
    Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind
  20. 10.1177/104687819903000402
     ↗
  21. Ismail et al. (2016)
    Workplace Simulation: An Integrated Approach to Training University Students in…
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  22. Maylath et al. (2013)
    Managing Complexity: A Technical Communication Translation Case Study in Multil…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  23. 10.4018/978-1-61520-781-7.ch011
     ↗
  24. Rehling (2005)
    Teaching in a High-Tech Conference Room:Academic Adaptations and Workplace Simu…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  25. Roundtree A. (2014)
    Computer simulation, rhetoric, and the scientific imagination: How virtual evidence shape…
  26. Russell D. (1995)
    Reconceiving writing, rethinking writing instruction
  27. RUSSELL (1997)
    Rethinking Genre in School and Society: An Activity Theory Analysis
    Written Communication
  28. 10.1075/pbns.188.07rus
     ↗
  29. 10.1177/108056999706000108
     ↗
  30. Sisk D. (1995)
    Intercultural sourcebook: Cross-cultural training methods
  31. Spinuzzi (1996)
    Pseudotransactionality, Activity Theory, and Professional Writing Instruction
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  32. St. Amant K. (2010)
    Teaching intercultural rhetoric and technical communication: Theories, curriculum, pedago…
  33. Sun (2006)
    The Triumph of Users: Achieving Cultural Usability Goals With User Localization
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  34. 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199744763.001.0001
     ↗
  35. Thatcher (2000)
    Writing policies and procedures in a U.S./South American context
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  36. Thatcher B. (2010)
    Teaching intercultural rhetoric and technical communication: Theories, curriculum, pedago…
  37. 10.1177/1046878108330539
     ↗
  38. Vee A. (2010)
    Journal of Advanced Composition
  39. Wang (2008)
    Toward a Critical Perspective of Culture: Contrast or Compare Rhetorics
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  40. Wang (2010)
    Convergence in the Rhetorical Pattern of Directness and Indirectness in Chinese…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  41. 10.1016/j.nedt.2016.08.023
     ↗
  42. 10.1177/1046878111414486
     ↗
  43. 10.1007/978-1-4419-6321-5
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 3 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Pedagogy Oct 2025
    Contributors ↗
    modern rhetorical theory rhetorical criticism genre theory cultural rhetorics first-year composition writing pedagogy advanced composition creative writing writing across the curriculum graduate education two-year college service learning teacher development technical communication professional writing labor and working conditions archival research multimodality artificial intelligence literacy studies race and writing gender and writing disability studies literary studies editorial matter
  2. Prompt: A Journal of Academic Writing Assignments Jan 2026
    A Murder Most Technical: Gamification, AI, and Rhetorical Genre Studies in the Technical Writing Classroom ↗
    Justin Cook
    genre theory writing pedagogy service learning teacher development argument collaborative writing technical communication professional writing
  3. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Jun 2025
    Presenting and Making Relevant: Analyzing Teaching Assistant Perceptions of Writing in Statistics Using Semantic Frames ↗
    Ben Markey
    rhetorical criticism genre theory discourse analysis graduate education teacher development assessment technical communication professional writing
  4. Pedagogy Apr 2023
    Contributors ↗
    rhetorical criticism first-year composition writing pedagogy creative writing graduate education two-year college service learning teacher development writing centers technical communication professional writing labor and working conditions digital rhetoric multimodality race and writing gender and writing literary studies editorial matter
  5. Rhetoric & Public Affairs Dec 2022
    Queering Romantic Engagement in the Postal Age: A Rhetorical Education ↗
    Mary Anne Taylor
    rhetorical criticism genre theory discourse analysis writing pedagogy service learning teacher development archival research race and writing gender and writing