This is a rhetorical criticism of the science fiction short story, "Profession," by Isaac Asimov. Primary focus is on Asimov's persuasive use of this message to influence potentially creative young people to consider technological careers. A brief synopsis of the story is given, along with a statement of the functional role of science fiction in accustoming individuals to societal changes resulting from technological advancements.Methodology is based upon Kenneth Burke's dramatism which views human action in terms of a drama. Burke's concepts of identification and occupational psychosis are used in discovering the rhetor's use of persuasive strategies. Burke's pentad is used for analysis of significant ratios. The dominance of the act-scene ratio is demonstrated by the supremacy of action over motion.Asimov's work shows the influence of a philosophy of realism, identifiable by the featuring of the pentadic term "act." Asimov's primary motives are identified as a desire to share his belief in the benefits of technology and his own need for creative self-expression. / Department of Speech Communication