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
Open Access
Closed
Topics
writing pedagogy rhetorical theory technical communication multilingual writers

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (6)

  1. Gray (2026)
    The Utility of Inclusivity: How Emoji Proposal Writers Navigate Oppositional In…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Ward (2010)
    The Banality of Rhetoric? (Part 2): Alternate Views of Technical Communication …
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Ward (2009)
    The Banality of Rhetoric? Assessing Steven Katz's “the Ethic of Expediency” aga…
    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
  5. Knievel (2006)
    Technology Artifacts, Instrumentalism, and the Humanist Manifestos
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 6 →
  1. Katz (2006)
    Guest Editorial: A Response to Patrick Moore's “Questioning the Motives of Tech…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (4)

  1. Smith (2000)
    Points of reference in technical communication scholarship
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Moore (1999)
    Myths about instrumental discourse: A response to Robert R. Johnson
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Moore et al. (1993)
    Gestalt Theory and Instructional Design
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  4. MOORE (1992)
    Intimidation and Communication
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Also cites 2 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.2307/378062
     ↗
  2. 10.7208/chicago/9780226401232.001.0001
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 7 View in citation network →

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