Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 2006

From Monologue to Dialog to Chorus: The Place of Instrumental Discourse in English Studies and Technical Communication

Patrick Moore

Abstract

One way to resolve some of the conflict in English studies and technical communication over their diminishing cultural capital is to recognize the place of instrumental discourse in communication studies. Instrumental discourse is individually verified social agreements to coordinate and control physical actions. One purpose of literary works is to voice new concerns about social inequities. A purpose of rhetoric is to persuade others of the validity of those concerns. Instrumental discourse registers agreements about those concerns and brings them to temporary closure in laws, instructions, contracts, and constitutions. Instrumental discourse is the culmination of a process that often begins with a literary monolog, is continued in many rhetorical dialogs, and ends, for a while, in a chorus of approval. Each phase of this communication process—monolog, dialog, and chorus—has a place in English studies. If more English studies faculty would recognize the need to study the communications that promote dissensus and consensus, then they might contribute more to global discussions about social justice, cooperation, and sustainability, and they might gain more cultural capital and social influence.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2006-10-01
DOI
10.2190/4480-0652-hl37-77g7
Topics
technical communication multilingual writers voice and style

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (4)

  1. Hovde et al. (2017)
    Technological Literacy: A Framework for Teaching Technical Communication Softwa…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Boedy (2015)
    The Evil in Technical Communication
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Ward (2010)
    The Banality of Rhetoric? (Part 2): Alternate Views of Technical Communication …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. Moore (2008)
    Cruel Theory? The Struggle for Prestige and its Consequences in Academic Techni…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (5)

  1. Moore (2004)
    Rethinking the Idea of Profit in Professional Communication and Cultural Capitalism
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Rentz (2001)
    A Flare from the Margins: The Place of Professional Writing in English Departments
    Pedagogy
  3. Moore (1999)
    Myths about instrumental discourse: A response to Robert R. Johnson
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Selber et al. (1998)
    The Social Formation of Technical Communication Studies
    College Composition and Communication
  5. Johnson (1998)
    Complicating technology: Interdisciplinary method, the burden of comprehension,…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
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CrossRef global citation count: 4 View in citation network →

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