Warp and Weft: Weaving the Discussion Threads of an Online Community

Lora Arduser University of Cincinnati

Abstract

The Pew Internet & American Life Project reports that 86% of Internet users living with a disability or chronic illness have looked for health information online (Fox, 2007). And while so-called e-patients often start this search for information, many find themselves led to communities that provide this and more, such as Tu Diabetes, an online social network site. This pause in what can seem like an endless search for answers may be one that health professionals can gain insight from. Such extended pauses may give insight into the values of this particular community. This article provides the results and analysis of a study using ethnographic methods and rhetorical analysis to examine the texts posted by members of the social networking site Tu Diabetes in order to discern the values held by this community.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2011-01-01
DOI
10.2190/tw.41.1.b
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Cited by in this index (6)

  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Communication Design Quarterly
  4. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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  1. Communication Design Quarterly

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