Technical documents as rhetorical agency
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2008
Keywords
Document, Rhetoric, Critical analysis, Protest, Social movements
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10502-009-9075-4
Abstract
This research argues that documents can become intermediaries which affect the relationships between disparate groups. Through a critical analysis of materials distributed during an online protest, the author traces the life of a single technical document, simultaneously describing how it was described during deliberation between several groups. Marcusean critical theory and rhetorical criticism framed the analysis. It is suggested that certain documents act as a locus between otherwise unaffiliated groups and that those documents become agents who can mediate deliberation. Further, it is suggested that document analysis can become an important aspect for interpreting group relationships. Future research examining the agency of documents is suggested.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
false
Scholar Commons Citation
Johnson, Nathan Riley, "Technical documents as rhetorical agency" (2008). English Faculty Publications. 241.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/eng_facpub/241
