Technical Communication Quarterly Jul 1996

Pseudotransactionality, Activity Theory, and Professional Writing Instruction

Clay Spinuzzi

Abstract

Abstract Pseodotransactionality—writing that Is patently designed by a student to meet teacher expectations rather than to perform the "real" function the teacher has suggested—is a problem that has frequently troubled writing teachers, especially professional writing teachers. This article attempts to analyze the problem from a sociohistorical perspective by using two Russian theoretical exports: (1) M. M. Bakhtin's concept of genre and (2) Vygotsklan activity theory. The article concludes by suggesting how a sociohistorical perspective mlght help to counteract pseudotransactionality In the professional writing classroom.

Journal
Technical Communication Quarterly
Published
1996-07-01
DOI
10.1207/s15427625tcq0503_3
Open Access
Closed
Topics
writing pedagogy genre theory professional writing

Citation Context

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  3. Kohn (2015)
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  4. Madden (2014)
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  7. Wright (2012)
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  8. Spinuzzi (2011)
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  9. Saidy et al. (2011)
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  10. McNair et al. (2010)
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  11. Propen et al. (2010)
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  12. Pickering (2009)
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  13. Knievel (2008)
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  14. Dayton (2006)
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  15. Kain et al. (2005)
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  16. Spinuzzi (2001)
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  17. David et al. (1999)
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  18. Bushneil (1999)
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Cites in this index (7)

  1. BRITT et al. (1996)
    Extending the Boundaries of Rhetoric in Legal Writing Pedagogy
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. ROZUMALSKI et al. (1995)
    Effects of Case and Traditional Writing Assignments on Writing Products and Processes
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. FREEDMAN et al. (1994)
    Wearing Suits to Class
    Written Communication
  4. BRADY (1993)
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    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. ACKERMAN (1993)
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    Written Communication
Show all 7 →
  1. ANSON et al. (1990)
    Moving Beyond the Academic Community
    Written Communication
  2. Herrington (1985)
    Writing in Academic Settings: A Study of the Contexts for Writing in Two Colleg…
    Research in the Teaching of English
Also cites 3 works outside this index ↓
  1. Engestrom Ritva (1995)
    10.1080/10749039509524699
    Mind, CUC ture, and Activity  ↗
  2. 10.2307/358896
     ↗
  3. 10.2307/258774
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 38 View in citation network →

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