Lindsey Crane

Publication Date

2016

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Eubanks, Philip, 1954-

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of English

LCSH

Technical writing--Methodology; Communication of technical information; Action theory; Work environment--Social aspects; Interpersonal relations; Rhetoric; Technical communication

Abstract

This research used activity theory as a framework to explore the physical and figurative locations of writing in a professional setting. The researcher conducted a six-week case study of a technical writer in an IT department for an educational services company to examine how she navigates her environment during the writing process. After identifying one of her activity systems, the researcher interviewed and observed the writer as she collaborated with three subject matter experts on a writing project. The findings reinforced how writing is a social process and revealed how the company's "no boundaries" philosophy impacts the writer's work and position, both physically and operationally. The research argues that viewing a professional writer's environment through the lens of activity theory highlights the ways in which writers can increase their visibility in the workplace as well as the value of their work.

Comments

Advisors: Philip Eubanks.||Committee members: Bradley Peters; Jessica Reyman.

Extent

54 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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