On Style and Other Unremarkable Things

Frank Farmer

doi:10.1177/0741088305278029

Written Communication Jul 2005

On Style and Other Unremarkable Things

Frank Farmer University of Kansas

Abstract

This article examines the dialectical nature of Mikhail Bakhtin’s developmental understanding of language learning. In particular, the author discusses the pedagogically illuminating relationship between literary style and everyday style, especially as the latter emerges from and returns to lived life. Drawing parallels with other related oppositions, such as Vygotsky’s spontaneous and scientific concepts, as well as Bakhtin’s early antithesis of life and art, the author emphasizes Bakhtin’s interest in relational (dialogical) rather than formal understandings of grammar, style, and literature. The author concludes with three possible implications of Bakhtin’s pedagogical essay for writing teachers: (a) that we acknowledge the creative expression already present in the everyday speech of our students, (b) that we reconsider the specifically dialogical use of linguistic and literary models, and (c) that we attend to the performative aspect of style and the teaching of style.

Journal: Written Communication
Published: 2005-07-01
DOI: 10.1177/0741088305278029
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Open Access: Closed
Topics: modern rhetorical theory writing pedagogy teacher development multilingual writers grammar and mechanics
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On Style and Other Unremarkable Things

Abstract

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (0)

References (10) · 1 in this index

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