Losing by Expanding: Corralling the Runaway Object

Clay Spinuzzi The University of Texas at Austin

Abstract

Third-generation activity theory (3GAT) has become a popular theoretical and methodological framework for writing studies, particularly in technical communication. 3GAT involves identifying an object, a material or problem that is cyclically transformed by collective activity. The object is the linchpin of analysis in the empirical case. Yet the notion of object has expanded methodologically and theoretically over time, making it difficult to reliably bound an empirical case. In response, this article outlines the expansion of the object, diagnoses this expansion, and proposes an alternate approach that constrains the object for case-study research in writing studies.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2011-10-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651911411040
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (17)

  1. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Written Communication
  5. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 17 →
  1. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. Research in the Teaching of English
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  5. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  6. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  7. Technical Communication Quarterly
  8. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  9. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  10. Technical Communication Quarterly
  11. Assessing Writing
  12. Journal of Business and Technical Communication

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