AnnoBib -- “Heuristics”

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Lauer, Janice. “Heuristics.” Encyclopedia of Rhetoric and Composition Communication from Ancient Times to the Information Age. Ed. Theresa Enos. New York: Routledge, 2009. Print.
Brief encyclopedia article that explains how heuristics can be viewed as a modern version of the historical techné or art. Heuristics turn knowledge about discourse into procedural plans, avoiding trial and error efforts; allows for intuition and complexity of ideas. Working in tandem with intuition, heuristic thinking prompts conscious activity. Acknowledges criticism that fear heuristics means rules and formulas, mechanizing the composition process.

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