While rhetoric is foundational to technical communication, the ways it is used in pedagogical situations varies among scholars and teachers of technical communication. Three approaches to rhetoric in technical communication pedagogy include: implicit, explicit, and contextual. The authors argue for increased use of contextual rhetoric in the service course, where rhetorical terminology and concepts connect to examples and applications, often outside the classroom. An example of this is based on Kenneth Burke's theory of form-a foundational theory that students can understand and apply to work scenarios. Implications are then given for broadening the application of rhetorical concepts in such courses.
