Number 16 in our series on skills for modern technical communicators
Let me introduce this week’s topic with a little poem, as has become my habit for these posts:
In circuits of logic and streams of code,
Ancient wisdom guides the modern road;
Where Aristotle’s arts meet AI’s reign,
Through rhetoric, we make the complex plain.
Now, a little historical context for our modern application of technical communication needs.
The Enduring Value of Rhetoric in Technical Communication
Technical communication today faces a complex challenge: creating content that serves both human readers and AI systems while remaining scalable, maintainable, and effective. As our profession evolves from purely instructional content into a strategic business asset, we need frameworks powerful enough to handle this complexity, yet flexible enough to adapt to emerging technologies.
Classical rhetoric provides these frameworks. Its principles, developed over millennia for organising and presenting complex information, prove remarkably well suited to modern technical challenges. When technical communicators understand and apply rhetorical principles, they can:
- Create content that resonates with both human and machine audiences
- Build scalable, sustainable documentation systems
- Maintain clarity and precision across platforms
- Adapt effectively to technological change
This power comes from rhetoric’s systematic approach to communication – an approach that aligns perfectly with modern technical needs. Just as ancient rhetoricians developed methods to make complex arguments clear and compelling, today’s technical communicators need methods to make complex systems comprehensible and usable.
Classical Rhetoric in Modern Technical Communication:
The Five Canons
The ancient rhetoricians developed a systematic approach to communication through five core principles, known as The Five Canons. These canons provide a practical framework for technical communication because they address every stage of content development – from initial research through final delivery. Each canon maps directly to critical aspects of modern technical documentation.
Understanding the Framework
The Five Canons guide us through the complete documentation lifecycle:
- Discovery and research (Inventio)
- Organisation and structure (Dispositio)
- Expression and presentation (Elocutio)
- Knowledge management (Memoria)
- Content delivery (Pronuntiatio)
Here’s how each canon transforms modern technical documentation:
Inventio (Research/Discovery)
Theory:
Inventio forms the foundation of effective technical communication by guiding systematic content discovery and analysis. This canon helps technical communicators identify not just what information exists, but what information users need and how they’ll use it. In modern practice, this extends to understanding both human user needs and machine processing requirements.
Practice:
- Systematic user needs analysis and persona development
- Technical system analysis and requirement gathering
- Content audits and gap analysis
- Advanced pattern recognition for AI-ready content
These practices transform classical discovery principles into modern research methodologies. Each approach combines traditional user research with contemporary technical requirements, ensuring documentation serves both human and machine audiences effectively.
Dispositio (Arrangement)
Theory:
Dispositio provides the framework for organising complex technical information into clear, logical structures. This canon addresses how information should be sequenced and connected to create understanding.
In modern technical communication, this principle guides both human-readable organisation and machine-processable structures.
Practice:
- Core information architecture principles
- Hierarchical content organisation
- Progressive information disclosure
- Machine-readable structure design
These organisational practices create clear pathways through complex information. They combine classical principles of arrangement with modern technical needs, supporting both human comprehension and automated processing.
Elocutio (Style)
Theory:
Elocutio addresses how information is expressed to achieve maximum clarity and impact.
In modern technical communication, this canon guides content creation that maintains precision while remaining accessible. It ensures documentation serves both human readers and automated systems without sacrificing effectiveness for either audience.
Practice:
- Clear writing principles and standards
- Consistent terminology management
- Pattern-based content design
- Semantic markup for AI processing
These style practices balance technical precision with accessibility. They implement classical principles of clear expression while meeting modern requirements for both human and machine processing.
Memoria (Memory)
Theory:
Memoria guides how information is stored and retrieved, a principle that has evolved from human memory aids to modern content management systems.
In technical communication, this canon shapes how we structure, store, and maintain documentation so it remains accessible and useful over time. It addresses both immediate access needs and long-term content sustainability.
Practice:
- Strategic content reuse frameworks
- Version control and management
- Knowledge base architecture
- AI training data organisation
These memory practices rely on classical principles of information preservation in modern technical systems. They ensure documentation remains accessible, maintainable, and adaptable to changing needs.
Pronuntiatio (Delivery)
Theory:
Pronuntiatio addresses how information reaches its audience, evolving from classical speech delivery to modern multi-channel publishing.
In technical communication, this canon guides how we present information across various platforms and formats, independent of delivery method. It encompasses both traditional documentation delivery and modern digital distribution systems.
Practice:
- Basic publishing workflows
- Multi-channel content delivery
- Interactive documentation design
- AI-enhanced distribution systems
These delivery practices adapt classical principles of presentation to modern technical needs. They ensure documentation remains effective across all delivery channels while supporting both traditional and emerging distribution methods.
Classical Appeals in Modern Practice
Technical documentation effectiveness relies on three of the classical appeals:
Ethos (Credibility)
- Technical accuracy in content
- Professional presentation
- Standards compliance
Pathos (User Connection)
- User-centred design
- Accessible language
- Problem acknowledgment
Logos (Logic)
- Clear reasoning
- Evidence-based documentation
- Systematic organisation
These appeals work together with the Five Canons to create documentation that serves user needs and business goals.
Modern Applications of Rhetorical Principles
How do they apply to modern technical communication? As documentation needs grow more complex, rhetorical principles provide a systematic framework for meeting increasingly sophisticated user and business requirements. This progression from fundamental to complex applications demonstrates how classical principles solve modern challenges.
We can trace this progression through three key documentation types, each building on the foundations of rhetorical excellence while addressing specific technical communication challenges.
User Documentation: Building the Foundation
User documentation represents the fundamental application of rhetorical principles in technical communication. Here, we focus on making complex information accessible while maintaining technical accuracy. Success requires balancing user needs with system requirements:
Research and Planning
- User needs analysis
- Task mapping and workflow documentation
- Contextual inquiry and user feedback
This systematic research approach ensures documentation addresses real user needs while maintaining technical accuracy. Each element builds user confidence while supporting efficient task completion.
Structure and Organisation
- Task-based information design
- Progressive disclosure patterns
- Clear information hierarchies
Clear structure and organisation transform complex information into manageable, logical sequences. This supports both initial learning and ongoing reference needs, which are important for successful user adoption.
Delivery and Maintenance
- Multi-format publishing
- Version control strategies
- Feedback integration systems
Effective delivery and maintenance strategies ensure documentation remains valuable over time. This systematic approach supports both initial deployment and long-term documentation needs.
System Documentation: Managing Complexity
System documentation presents a greater challenge – it requires technical communicators to explain complex interconnections while maintaining clarity. This kind of documentation demands deeper application of rhetorical principles to manage technical depth without sacrificing understanding.
Technical Analysis
- System architecture mapping
- Integration point documentation
- Performance requirement specification
Thorough technical analysis ensures comprehensive coverage while maintaining accessibility. This balance between depth and clarity supports both implementation and maintenance needs.
Information Design
- Component relationship modelling
- Configuration management structures
- Troubleshooting frameworks
Strong information design creates clear mental models for complex systems. This structured approach helps users understand both individual components and their interactions.
Implementation Support
- Deployment guides
- Migration pathways
- Maintenance procedures
Comprehensive implementation support bridges the gap between theory and practice. These materials guide users through complex transitions while minimising operational disruption.
API Documentation: Advanced Applications
This kind of documentation represents the pinnacle of technical communication complexity, requiring perfect precision while maintaining usability. API documentation requires the most sophisticated application of rhetorical principles:
Developer Experience
- Use case analysis
- Implementation scenarios
- Error handling patterns
A developer-experience focus ensures technical precision doesn’t come at the cost of usability. This balance supports rapid implementation while reducing integration errors.
Technical Precision
- Method specification
- Parameter documentation
- Response formatting
Rhetorical principles are helpful for maintaining technical precision while supporting practical implementation. Each element must serve both reference and implementation needs.
Interactive Elements
- Code samples
- Testing interfaces
- Sandbox environments
Interactive elements transform static documentation into dynamic learning tools. This engagement supports faster adoption while reducing implementation errors.
This progression from user to system to API documentation demonstrates how rhetorical principles scale to meet increasingly complex technical communication challenges. At each level, classical rhetoric provides the framework needed to balance technical precision with practical usability.
The Business Impact of Rhetorical Excellence
When technical communicators master rhetorical principles, organisations achieve measurable improvements in both operational efficiency and strategic outcomes. These improvements manifest in both immediate operational gains and long-term strategic advantages.
Operational Improvements
Strong rhetorical frameworks create immediate, measurable impact on daily operations. Organisations consistently report significant improvements in both support efficiency and documentation development.
Support and Documentation Quality
- 20-30% reduction in support tickets
- Higher self-service success rates
- Improved user satisfaction scores
- Better accessibility compliance
Improvements in support and documentation quality directly reduce operational costs while enhancing the user experience. Well-structured, rhetorically sound documentation helps users find answers independently, reducing support burden while increasing satisfaction.
Development Efficiency
- 40% faster documentation cycles
- Streamlined review processes
- Reduced localisation costs
- More effective content reuse
Enhanced development efficiency transforms documentation from a potential bottleneck into a strategic advantage. Teams can respond faster to changes while maintaining consistent quality across all deliverables.
Strategic Benefits
Beyond immediate operational gains, rhetorical excellence in technical communication delivers lasting strategic advantages that support broader business objectives.
Digital Transformation
- Accelerated technology adoption
- Improved change management
- Enhanced global scalability
- Better AI/ML integration
These digital transformation benefits enable organisations to implement new technologies effectively and adapt faster to market changes. Clear, well-structured documentation is a key driver of successful digital initiatives.
Organisational Impact
- Stronger cross-team collaboration
- Reduced training time
- Higher knowledge retention
- Improved user engagement
The organisational impact extends beyond documentation teams, fostering better collaboration and knowledge sharing across the entire enterprise. This improved communication infrastructure supports both current operations and future growth.
Key Performance Indicators
Organisations measure these improvements through:
- Support ticket metrics
- User satisfaction scores
- Documentation development cycles
- Content reuse rates
- Global adoption metrics
These metrics provide clear evidence of return on investment of rhetorical skills, which help organisations justify continued investment in documentation quality and technical communication expertise.
The business case for rhetorical excellence in technical communication goes from immediate cost savings to long-term strategic advantages. Organisations that invest in these capabilities investing in success in an increasingly complex technical world.
Career Paths for Rhetoric in Modern Technical Communication
As we recognise the business value of rhetorical foundations in technical communication, new career opportunities are growing and traditional roles are evolving. This also reflects the growing strategic importance of technical communication in digital transformation and global business.
Core Technical Communication Roles
Modern technical communicators who master rhetorical principles can advance through several career paths:
Documentation Development
- Technical Writer → Senior Technical Writer → Documentation Lead
- Masters both traditional documentation and AI-ready content
- Develops complex system documentation
- Creates API and developer documentation
- Specialises in specific domains (e.g., API, SDK, security)
Content Leadership
- Documentation Manager → Content Director → Chief Content Officer
- Drives documentation strategy
- Leads global content initiatives
- Manages content operations
- Aligns documentation with business goals
Emerging Specialised Roles
The digital transformation has created new opportunities that combine rhetorical expertise with technical specialisation:
Content Architecture
- Information Architect
- Content Strategist
- Knowledge Management Specialist
- Taxonomy Developer
Key focus areas:
- Content modelling and structured authoring
- Metadata strategy development
- Information architecture design
- Knowledge base optimisation
User Experience Content
- UX Writer
- Content Designer
- Product Documentation Specialist
- Learning Experience Designer
Key responsibilities:
- Interface content development
- User flow documentation
- Design system documentation
- Training material creation
Future Growth Areas
Based on current industry trends, these areas show particular promise:
AI Documentation Specialists
- Creating documentation for AI systems
- Developing AI-ready content structures
- Managing documentation for machine learning models
- Building AI-human documentation interfaces
Content Engineering
- Implementing structured content systems
- Developing automation workflows
- Creating content delivery platforms
- Managing technical documentation systems
Each of these career paths builds on strong rhetorical foundations while also adapting to new technical and business requirements. Success in these roles requires combining classical rhetorical skills with modern technical expertise and business acumen.
Essential Resources for Technical Communicators
Here are our key resources from our bookshelves at to suggest, organised by focus area (and not other particular order):
Core Technical Communication and Rhetoric
- “Digital Rhetoric: Theory, Method, Practice” (Eyman)
- “Information Architecture: For the Web and Beyond” (Rosenfeld, Morville, Arango)
- “Managing Enterprise Content” (Rockley and Cooper)
- “Modern Technical Writing” (Andrew Etter)
AI and Modern Content Strategy
- “Voice Content and Usability” (Preston So)
Software Documentation
- “Information Development” (Hackos)
Project Management and Strategy
- “Content and Complexity” (Albers)
- “The Content Advantage” (Jones)
Cross-Cultural and Visual Communication
Global Content
- “Global Content Strategy: A Primer” (Swisher)
Visual Design
- “Beautiful Evidence” (Tufte)
- “Information Graphics” (Harris)
- “Information Architecture: Blueprints for the Web” (Wodtke)
Classical Foundations and Advanced Theory
Looking Ahead: The Future of Technical Communication
The convergence of classical rhetoric and modern technology is, indeed, creating new opportunities in our modern field:
- AI-driven content systems that maintain human engagement
- Integrated documentation platforms spanning multiple channels
- Enhanced focus on measurable business impact
- Growing demand for rhetoric experts in technology leadership
- Evolution of collaborative, community-driven development
At Firehead, we believe that the technical communicators who will thrive in this landscape will be the ones who combine traditional rhetorical principles with modern technical expertise to create documentation serving both human needs and business goals.
The sky is the limit with AI for humans who have a grounding in the time-honoured principles of our ancient logic.
Interested in learning more? Firehead has a great series of courses in modern technical communication using the same structured approach as the classical rhetoric canons:
- Modern Technical Communication Basics
- Writing and Design for Modern Technical Communication
- Managing and Optimising Modern Technical Communication
- Check out our bundle of all three of our techcomm foundational courses to get your foot in the door of managing modern technical communication projects.
Tony Self’s DITA Concepts course is an excellent way to learn about the single-sourced publication and delivery environment and how modern technical communicators are using DITA to achieve their structured content publication and delivery goals.
Hilary Marsh’s Content Strategy Overview course is also a useful introduction to the planning and strategic skills you need for content work. You’ll come away with your own working strategy for your organisation.
An Introduction to Content Operations by Rahel Bailie will help you operationalise your content to make your systems work in the real world.
What aspects of classical rhetoric skills in modern technical communication interest you most? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Firehead. Bridging ancient wisdom and modern innovation.
