Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 2014

Wicked Problems in Technical Communication

Chad Wickman Auburn University

Abstract

This article develops a framework for rhetorical inquiry that builds on the concept of wicked problems as conceptualized through social policy and design studies research. Responding to technical communication scholarship that calls for increased engagement with public issues and controversies, the author specifically discusses a writing course that used the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill as a basis for teaching problem-based rhetorical invention, document production, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional development. The framework described in this article ultimately offers a heuristic for students to research and write about ill-defined problems that must be addressed in time but that demand sustained engagement over time—activities that begin in the classroom but ideally continue to develop throughout their personal and professional lives.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2014-01-01
DOI
10.2190/tw.44.1.c
Open Access
Closed
Topics
multimodality technical communication

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (20)

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  4. Stambler et al. (2025)
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  5. Sánchez (2025)
    Cultivating <i>Phronesis</i> through Wicked Stories
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  1. Jiang (2024)
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  2. Carlson et al. (2023)
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  3. Welhausen (2023)
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  4. Carlson (2023)
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  5. Pellegrini (2022)
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  7. Weedon et al. (2021)
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  8. Verhulsdonck et al. (2021)
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  9. Itchuaqiyaq et al. (2021)
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  10. Purdy (2021)
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  11. Gallagher et al. (2020)
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  12. Overmyer et al. (2019)
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  13. Pope-Ruark et al. (2019)
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  14. Gouge (2017)
    Improving Patient Discharge Communication
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  15. Sánchez (2017)
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Cites in this index (13)

  1. Wickman (2013)
    Observing Inscriptions at Work: Visualization and Text Production in Experiment…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Wickman (2012)
    Rhetoric,<i>Technê</i>, and the Art of Scientific Inquiry
    Rhetoric Review
  3. Wickman (2010)
    Writing Material in Chemical Physics Research: The Laboratory Notebook as Locus…
    Written Communication
  4. Marback (2009)
    Embracing Wicked Problems: The Turn to Design in Composition Studies
    College Composition and Communication
  5. Rude (2008)
    Introduction to the Special Issue on Business and Technical Communication in th…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 13 →
  1. Blythe et al. (2008)
    Action Research and Wicked Environmental Problems
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Mara (2006)
    PEDAGOGICAL APPROACHES: Using Charettes to Perform Civic Engagement in Technica…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Ornatowski et al. (2004)
    What's Civic About Technical Communication? Technical Communication and the Rhe…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Scott (2004)
    Rearticulating Civic Engagement Through Cultural Studies and Service-Learning
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Sapp et al. (2002)
    A Laboratory in Citizenship: Service Learning in the Technical Communication Cl…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  6. Matthews et al. (1999)
    Integrating service learning and technical communication: Benefits and challenges
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  7. Henson et al. (1998)
    A Service Learning Approach to Business and Technical Writing Instruction
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  8. HUCKIN (1997)
    Technical Writing and Community Service
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Also cites 6 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1007/BF01405730
     ↗
  2. 10.1023/A:1017986712405
     ↗
  3. 10.1016/j.destud.2004.06.005
     ↗
  4. 10.2307/1511637
     ↗
  5. 10.1353/par.2001.0012
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  6. 10.2307/1512100
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 41 View in citation network →

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