Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 2018

Navigating Discourses of Power Through Relationships

Kristin Pickering Tennessee Technological University

Abstract

This article applies identity construction concepts to a professional and technical communication student intern’s use of agency as she negotiates a unique identity for herself within a state legislature. Following a literature review, the author highlights several of the intern’s key efforts to become part of this new governmental and legal discourse community, including learning legislature-specific genres, combatting the “totem-pole” hierarchy, making choices about appropriate professional behavior, socializing by creating an “entire family dynamic,” and making an effort to learn the culture of the legislature. These efforts are documented through the intern’s reflective, self-narratives and documents produced during the internship. Through this discussion, the author suggests practical implications for aiding students and newcomers as they transition to unfamiliar workplace communication environments.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2018-10-01
DOI
10.1177/0047281617732019
Open Access
Closed
Topics
discourse analysis technical communication professional writing multilingual writers

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (1)

  1. Pickering (2019)
    Emotion, Social Action, and Agency: A Case Study of an Intercultural, Technical…
    Technical Communication Quarterly

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CrossRef global citation count: 1 View in citation network →

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