Journal of Business and Technical Communication Oct 2011

Transfer, Transformation, and Rhetorical Knowledge

Doug Brent University of Calgary

Abstract

This article traces the uncomfortable relationship between writing studies and the concept of learning transfer. First it reviews three stages in the changing attitudes toward learning transfer in writing theory that is influenced by rhetorical genre studies, activity theory, and situated learning. Then it reviews learning transfer theory itself, an area that is seldom explicitly referred to in writing studies. The article concludes with a synthesis that brings transfer theory to bear on writing studies, suggesting directions for developing research and pedagogical practices related to business and technical communication.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2011-10-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651911410951
Open Access
Closed
Topics
composition theory genre theory transfer technical communication race and writing

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (13)

  1. McCaughey (2026)
    Model as Missed Opportunity for Writing Transfer During Career Change
    Written Communication
  2. Fiscus-Cannaday et al. (2025)
    A Lesson in Mindful Collaboration
    Pedagogy
  3. Ringer (2025)
    John Franklin Genung and the Long, Troubled History of Writing Transfer
    College English
  4. Coffelt et al. (2024)
    Which Communication Skills Do I Need? A Multimethod Study of Communication Need…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Moreau (2022)
    Teaching Students in the Technical and Professional Communication Classroom Pra…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 13 →
  1. Whitney (2021)
    Feature: Perpetual Convergence: Writing Knowledge Transfer and Figured Worlds
    Teaching English in the Two-Year College
  2. Campbell (2021)
    Rhetorical Body Work: Professional Embodiment in Health Provider Education and …
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. White (2021)
    “When It’s Outside of You”
    Pedagogy
  4. Russell (2020)
    Metaphor 2: Crossing: Retreading, Non-ing, and a TPC Rationale for Sub-discipli…
    College English
  5. Melonçon et al. (2020)
    A Field-Wide Metasynthesis of Pedagogical Research in Technical and Professiona…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  6. Roderick (2019)
    Self-Regulation and Rhetorical Problem Solving: How Graduate Students Adapt to …
    Written Communication
  7. Alexander et al. (2015)
    DMAC After Dark: Toward a Theory of Distributed Invention
    Computers and Composition
  8. Annous et al. (2015)
    Academic Territorial Borders
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication

Cites in this index (8)

  1. Wardle (2009)
    “Mutt Genres” and the Goal of FYC: Can We Help Students Write the Genres of the…
    College Composition and Communication
  2. Artemeva (2008)
    Toward a Unified Social Theory of Genre Learning
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  3. Russell (2007)
    Rethinking the Articulation Between Business and Technical Communication and Wr…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. Reave (2004)
    Technical Communication Instruction in Engineering Schools
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Artemeva et al. (1999)
    From page to stage: How theories of genre and situated learning help introduce …
    Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 8 →
  1. FREEDMAN et al. (1996)
    Learning to Write Professionally
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. FREEDMAN et al. (1994)
    Wearing Suits to Class
    Written Communication
  3. TEICH (1987)
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    Written Communication
Also cites 14 works outside this index ↓
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CrossRef global citation count: 32 View in citation network →

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