Teaching Public, Scientific Controversy: Genetically Modified Mosquitoes in the Technical Writing Classroom

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 2019

Teaching Public, Scientific Controversy: Genetically Modified Mosquitoes in the Technical Writing Classroom

Stephanie Phillips

Abstract

The release of genetically modified mosquitoes in the Florida Keys is part of a public health initiative to limit the spread of infectious disease. The local debate over this proposed action provides a current case study of a public, scientific controversy in which citizens and officials disagree about what is best for the community. The case study challenges technical writing students to consider complex cultural circuits, or networks, that comprise a specific controversy. The students analyze the rhetorical situation, create new content that contributes to the ongoing discussion, and learn about audience through usability testing their multimodal projects.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 2019-01-01
DOI: 10.1177/0047281617744507
Open Access: Closed
Topics: qualitative research multimodality technical communication

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