Written Communication Jul 1989 Open Access

Traversing the Topical Landscape

WILLIAM McGINLEY ; ROBERT J. TIERNEY

Abstract

In light of recent theoretical and empirical developments in the areas of reading, writing, and learning, this article proposes a view of literacy learning in which various forms of reading and writing are conceptualized as unique ways of thinking about and exploring a topic of study en route to acquiring knowledge. Throughout this article, we take the theoretical position that a topic of study is analogous to a conceptual “landscape” about which knowledge is best acquired by “traversing” it from a variety of perspectives. In this system, different forms of reading and writing represent the “traversal routes” through which an individual can explore a given content domain. Specifically, we wish to argue that more complex or diverse combinations of different forms of reading and writing provide a learner with the means to conduct a more critical inquiry of a topic by virtue of the multiple perspectives or ways of “seeing” and thinking that these reading and writing exchanges permit. Finally, in light of this theoretical orientation, we contend that the ability to direct dynamically one's own reading and writing engagements en route to learning is central to conducting an inquiry of this nature. This perspective suggests a reexamination of a line of research that has pursued the question of how writing in combination with reading influences thinking and learning.

Journal
Written Communication
Published
1989-07-01
DOI
10.1177/0741088389006003001
Open Access
OA PDF Green
Topics
place and space

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (9)

  1. Hirvela (2005)
    Computer-based reading and writing across the curriculum: Two case studies of L…
    Computers and Composition
  2. YOUNG et al. (1998)
    Writing from Primary Documents
    Written Communication
  3. PRIOR (1994)
    Response, Revision, Disciplinarity
    Written Communication
  4. NEWELL (1994)
    The Effects of Written Between-Draft Responses on Students' Writing and Reasoni…
    Written Communication
  5. WINSOR (1994)
    Invention and Writing in Technical Work
    Written Communication
Show all 9 →
  1. ACKERMAN (1993)
    The Promise of Writing to Learn
    Written Communication
  2. PRIOR (1991)
    Contextualizing Writing and Response in a Graduate Seminar
    Written Communication
  3. STOTSKY (1991)
    On Developing Independent Critical Thinking
    Written Communication
  4. CUMMING (1990)
    Metalinguistic and Ideational Thinking in Second Language Composing
    Written Communication

Cites in this index (5)

  1. LANGER (1986)
    Reading, Writing, and Understanding
    Written Communication
  2. KENNEDY (1985)
    The Composing Process of College Students Writing from Sources
    Written Communication
  3. KUCER (1985)
    The Making of Meaning
    Written Communication
  4. Newell (1984)
    Learning from Writing in Two Content Areas: A Case Study/Protocol Analysis
    Research in the Teaching of English
  5. Perl (1979)
    The Composing Processes of Unskilled College Writers
    Research in the Teaching of English
Also cites 8 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.3102/00346543054004577
     ↗
  2. 10.2307/356095
     ↗
  3. 10.2307/747248
     ↗
  4. 10.1016/0361-476X(83)90018-8
     ↗
  5. 10.1016/0273-2297(86)90002-X
     ↗
  6. 10.1086/461396
     ↗
  7. 10.2307/818019
     ↗
  8. Walters, K. (1987)
    10.58680/la198725602
    Language Arts  ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 37 View in citation network →

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