Interpretive Discourse and other Models from Communication Studies: Expanding the Values of Technical Communication

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 2010

Interpretive Discourse and other Models from Communication Studies: Expanding the Values of Technical Communication

Sean D. Williams

Abstract

This article argues that in spite of some attempts to expand the diversity of approaches in Technical Communication, the field remains rooted in an expedient, managerial, techno-rational discourse, where discourse is understood as the values that guide research, practice, and teaching. The article draws on approaches from Communication Studies, specifically discursive analysis and metaphor analysis, to ground this claim and to demonstrate what possible alternative discourses might be possible. The article then argues that moving toward an “interpretive” discourse will expand the values of Technical Communication, but in a way that both retains existing assumptions but also includes a new focus on the “complete person.” Interpretive discourse is theorized using Habermas' communicative rationality and User Experience Design and the article concludes with some implications about moving Technical Communication toward discursive diversity. Ultimately, the goal of the article is to encourage researchers, teachers, and professionals to embrace this discursive diversity that complicates our historical means-ends rationality.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 2010-10-01
DOI: 10.2190/tw.40.4.d
Open Access: Closed
Topics: multimodality technical communication race and writing

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

Randazzo (2019)

About Face: Reflexively Considering “Audience” in Hiring Situations

Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Sánchez (2017)

The Roles of Technical Communication Researchers in Design Scholarship

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Getto et al. (2017)

Mapping Personas: Designing UX Relationships for an Online Coastal Atlas

Computers and Composition

Cites in this index (4)

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Journal of Business and Technical Communication
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Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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