Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 2004

Questioning the Motives of Technical Communication and Rhetoric: Steven Katz's “Ethic of Expediency”

Patrick Moore University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Abstract

By emphasizing the negative meanings of words, ignoring variations in translations, and quoting out of context, Steven B. Katz has argued in an influential article that an “ethic of expediency … underlies technical communication and deliberative rhetoric, and by extension writing pedagogy and practice based on it.” Katz's assertion misrepresents the motive of technical communication and its pedagogy, and it brings discredit to the professions of technical communication and the teaching of technical communication. His attempt to discredit the motive of technical communication is part of a two-millennia-long contest for status between intellectuals and the working classes, and it creates unnecessary mistrust at a time in history when people must focus even more on cooperating socially in order to sustain democratic cultures and our physical environment for future generations.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2004-01-01
DOI
10.2190/mdbj-pw8f-f7gj-ljg3
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Topics
classical rhetoric rhetorical criticism writing pedagogy teacher development technical communication
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (7)

  1. Gray (2026)
    The Utility of Inclusivity: How Emoji Proposal Writers Navigate Oppositional In…
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  2. Ward (2010)
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  3. Ward (2009)
    The Banality of Rhetoric? Assessing Steven Katz's “the Ethic of Expediency” aga…
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  4. Moore (2008)
    Cruel Theory? The Struggle for Prestige and its Consequences in Academic Techni…
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  5. Dombrowski (2007)
    The Evolving Face of Ethics in Technical and Professional Communication: Challe…
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  1. Knievel (2006)
    Technology Artifacts, Instrumentalism, and the Humanist Manifestos: Toward an I…
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  2. Katz (2006)
    Guest Editorial: A Response to Patrick Moore's “Questioning the Motives of Tech…
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CrossRef global citation count: 7 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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