The ethical implications of accommodating audiences: some lessons for engineers entering the workplace

Teaching engineering students about the importance of audience is a significant component of any professional communication curriculum. However, when students focus too much on accommodating audience needs and interests, they may overlook the organizational, political, and ethical conflicts that such accommodation creates. In this article, the author examines the problems that accompany accommodation and discusses a case assignment that teaches students to move beyond dichotomous thinking, considering the many intermediary positions and ideas that can be addressed in everyday workplace situations.