Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2015

Eleanor McElwee and the Formation of IEEE PCS

Edward A. Malone Missouri University of Science and Technology

Abstract

This article examines the historical professional project that created the Institute of Radio Engineers’ Professional Group on Engineering Writing an Speech (IRE PGEWS)—now called the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ Professional Communication Society (IEEE PCS)—and recounts the group’s early history in detail. It also traces the career and recovers the professional contributions of the main organizer of PGEWS: Eleanor M. McElwee (1924–2008). The formation of PGEWS in 1957 was an intraoccupational strategy of inclusionary usurpation by “publications people” seeking to elevate their status within the engineering profession rather than attempting to build a separate profession of technical communication.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2015-04-01
DOI
10.1177/0047281615569480
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
technical communication professional writing
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

  1. Malone (2024)
    “Technical Editing and Women Scientists Were Made for Each Other”: Ethaline H. …
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  2. (2017)
    A Diamond Milestone for a Winning Combination
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication

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