Reconsidering Power and Legitimacy in Technical Communication

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jul 2016

Reconsidering Power and Legitimacy in Technical Communication

Teresa Henning Southwest Minnesota State University ; Amanda Bemer Southwest Minnesota State University

Abstract

This article considers how issues of power and legitimacy in technical communication are connected to clearly defining what a technical communicator does. An articulation of what technical communicators do can grant the field power in presenting a united front to employers with respect to the value technical communicators bring to the workplace. So as to leverage the power and legitimacy associated with articulating what technical communicators do, this article reviews and revises the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH)’s definition of technical communicator. To effectively revise the OOH’s definition, this article reviews academic and practitioner scholarship in technical communication and the administration of technical and professional writing programs. It demonstrates that concerns about practical skills, conceptual skills, and flexibility are related to legitimacy and power. These concerns can be used as criteria to evaluate and revise the OOH’s definition of technical communicator. In closing, the article discusses the benefits associated with the revised definition and how these benefits are related to issues of power and legitimacy in the field.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 2016-07-01
DOI: 10.1177/0047281616639484
Open Access: Closed
Topics: writing program administration technical communication professional writing

Citation Context

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Also cites 2 works outside this index ↓

10.2190/NETC11

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