"A Proficiency in What We Call Rhetoric": A Role for Community-Engaged Technical Communicators in Interpretive Planning Processes

Non-formal learning institutions use interpretive plans to create effective interpretation (mission-based communications) for their visitors. This article argues that interpretive planning offers professional and technical communicators great potential for engaging with communities. Following an introduction to the field of interpretation and interpretive planning, I explain how interpretive plans are a type of metagenre. I then provide technical communicators with specific examples of how technical communicators' expertise is relevant to interpretation.