Barton, B. F. & Barton, M. S. (1998). Narration in Technical Communication. Journal of Business and Technical Communication, 2(1), (pp. 36–48).

In Ben F. Barton and Marthalee S. Barton’s (1998) article, “Narration in Technical Communication” they claimed that “narration is widely devalued as a mode of discourse, among teachers and researchers of technical communication” and that “such devaluation is unwarranted by suggesting the complexity, pervasiveness, and potential advantages of narration in technical communication” (p. 36). Barton and Barton evaluated narration in both natural and specialized discourse, the disinterest in narration and reasons for the devaluation, both the complexity and the perverseness of narration, written and oral along with visuals, and advantages in problem solving. Barton and Barton’s purpose was to show that “we need research aimed at a more conscious and informed exploitation of narration in technical communication, at the use of narration appropriate at a variety of levels throughout technical discourse in given contexts and with given goals” (p. 45). Barton and Barton’s intended audience was teachers and researchers of technical communication. Barton and Barton clearly displayed their argument in an understandable way and provided valid support of their claims.