The nuclear power industry is undergoing a renaissance, led by initiatives from the Obama administration and several states. In light of this development and the growing information economy, it is crucial that the public be well-informed, effective, and responsible regarding important technological issues. For this reason, undergraduate education,…

Single sourcing through a content management system (CMS) is altering technical communication practices in many organizations, including institutions of higher education. Open source software (OSS) solutions are currently among the most popular content management platforms adopted by colleges and universities in the United States and abroad. The…

One of the signatures of scientific writing is its ability to present the claims of science as if they were "untouched by human hands." In the early years of experimental education, researchers achieved this by adopting a citational practice that led to the sedimentation of their cardinal method, the analysis of variance, and their standard for…

Examines the rhetoric of Lysenkoism in Soviet Russia from the 1920s to about 1960 as an overt attempt to redefine science. Discusses the rhetorical dimensions of Lysenkoist discourse from the perspective of the rhetorical theories of Aristotle, Burke, Weaver, Bakhtin, Habermas, and Foucault. Reviews two historical commentaries on Lysenkoism. (SG)

Suggests that effective communication between technical and nontechnical people is difficult because technical communication lacks a personal dimension: technical people give up their identity to be considered competent. Argues that a different approach to communication education for scientists, engineers, and technologists is required to equip…

Claims that the primary determinant of how texts are structured and produced in scientific and technical communication is the ideology of the ruling force--scholars have treated ideology as a competing approach to writing, not as the determinant of writing. Examines cases of scientific/technical communication; suggests that ideology of the ruling…

Relates that, in the mid-1500s, Agricola combined the traditions of Hermetic secrets and handbooks to compile mining lore into "De Re Metallica," in which he wrote clearly and simply, illustrated information with graphics, and rationalized use of occult knowledge based on utility. States his text paved the way for philosophers to legitimate…

Uses metaphorical analysis to determine whether or not Max Planck invented the quantum postulate. Demonstrates how metaphorical analysis can be used to analyze the rhetoric of revolutionary texts in science. Concludes that, in his original 1900 quantum paper, Planck considered the quantum postulate to be important, but not revolutionary. (PA)

Considers acupuncture as an increasingly popular alternative medical therapy, but difficult to describe in technical communication. Notes that traditional Chinese medical explanations of acupuncture are unscientific, and that scientific explanations of acupuncture are inconclusive. Finds that technical communicators must translate acupuncture for…

States that, beginning in the 1850s, authors of American and British scientific/technical publications began to integrate photographs into their texts, with these images often functioning as claims for truth. Presents a technological, cultural, and rhetorical history of published photographs based upon 23 images selected from a review of 40…

Reports that, since its beginnings in 1973, the Council for Programs in Technical and Scientific Communication (CPTSC) has grown into a 200-member-strong organization with members from schools, corporations, and 3 foreign countries. Recounts the history of the organization and gives its precepts. (PA)

Shows the path to professionalization through four phases of ornithological discourse history, drawing upon articles in "The Auk," published from 1890-90. States that, originally a single discourse form, the personal narrative of natural history served ornithological science. Finds that a gap between science and public understanding was reinforced…

Discusses the results of a study concerning the relationship between agent, author, and matters of fact in the doctrine and practice of classical empiricism in the late 17th century. States that the historical study of empiricism provides a critical perspective on positivism and on social constructivism. (PA)

Analyzes 50 scientific papers selected from the top 100 most-cited papers for the period from 1945 to 1988. Finds that most are in biochemistry and became citation superstars because of method or material discoveries usable in other people's research. Discusses the typical form and writing style in these papers. (SR)

Advocates listening to technical information in much the same way as scientists and engineers look at graphics to understand the relationships among variables. Specifies a number of potential benefits of this approach. Demonstrates the presentation of acoustic information with data on the frequency of television viewing from 1950 to 1988. (SR)