The Process and Prospects for Professionalizing Technical Communication — Rhetoric & Composition

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 1999

The Process and Prospects for Professionalizing Technical Communication

Gerald J. Savage

Abstract

Despite claims for at least the past quarter century of mature professional status for the field of technical communication, studies in the history and sociology of the professions provide criteria that suggest we are not yet truly a profession. This article reviews economic, sociopolitical, and ideological factors that characterize the modern professions and argues that the technical communication field, at best, only partially meets the criteria. The prospects for professional status of technical communication might be improved by developing a critical consciousness of the processes of professionalization and concertedly acting in ways that facilitate those processes.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 1999-10-01
DOI: 10.2190/7gfx-a5pc-5p7r-9lhx
Open Access: Closed
Topics: multimodality technical communication

Citation Context

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Cites in this index (4)

Savage (1997)

Doing Unto Others through Technical Communication Internship Programs

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Savage (1996)

Redefining the ResponsibiIities of Teachers and the Social Position of the Tech…

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FLYNN et al. (1991)

Gender and Modes of Collaboration in a Chemical Engineering Design Course

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Connors (1982)

The Rise of Technical Writing Instruction in America

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Also cites 3 works outside this index ↓

Veysey L. R. (1965)

The Emergence of the American University

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10.7551/mitpress/4130.001.0001

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10.1177/019685998601000202

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CrossRef global citation count: 19 View in citation network →