Mastering Communication Technically

Jennifer Daryl Slack addresses philosophies and theories concerning the roles of technical communicators. In this case she questions the role of a technical communicator by examining Michel Foucault's idea of what an author's task entails-that is to characterize the existence, circulation and operation of certain discourses within a society. According to Slack, a technical communicator, though he/she transmits messages or translate meanings, can begin to be established as an author. In looking at the three models of communication- transmission, translation and articulation-Slack suggests that the power of technical communicators should be held responsible just as they are recognized. Meanwhile, Steven B. Katz evaluates the ethical and power issues in technical communication, reasoning that most technical communication is deliberative. This, as Katz states, is based primarily on arguments of expediency rather than worth or goodness. Basically, what Slack and Katz are trying to convey is that it is important to understand technical discourses and its role in articulation, as well as the ethical standards in deliberative discourses.