250 word discussion responds
The second set of readings – 1979, 1989, 1995 – again reflect some passage of time in the field. One possible unifying thread is the limitations that come with certain ways of thinking: the “skills” vs. “humanistic” reading of introductory technical writing courses in Miller, the old communicative models that Driskill counters with more social ones, and Rude’s critique of typical report-writing pedagogies.
However, perhaps more telling is the section title: “Rhetorical Perspectives.” What do these three authors mean when they say “rhetoric” or “rhetorical” or “rhetorical situation”? Are they in line with Rutter’s use of the concept from the previous readings?