Journal of Business and Technical Communication Jul 2007

Writing to Learn by Learning to Write in the Disciplines

Michael Carter North Carolina State University ; Miriam Ferzli North Carolina State University ; Eric N. Wiebe

Abstract

The traditional distinction between writing across the curriculum and writing in the disciplines (WID) as writing to learn versus learning to write understates WID's focus on learning in the disciplines. Advocates of WID have described learning as socialization, but little research addresses how writing disciplinary discourses in disciplinary settings encourages socialization into the disciplines. Data from interviews with students who wrote lab reports in a biology lab suggest five ways in which writing promotes learning in scientific disciplines. Drawing on theories of situated learning, the authors argue that apprenticeship genres can encourage socialization into disciplinary communities.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2007-07-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651907300466
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Open Access
Closed
Topics
genre theory writing across the curriculum scientific writing
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (8)

  1. Lin et al. (2023)
    A Systematic Review on Inquiry-Based Writing Instruction in Tertiary Settings
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  2. Sharma (2022)
    Making Meaningful Connections and Learning Workplace-Like Business Writing Thro…
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  3. Fisher (2021)
    The Fact of the Text: Exploring Misalignment in Undergraduate Lab Reports
    Research in the Teaching of English
  4. Cutrufello (2021)
    Scanning as a Rhetorical Activity: Reporting Histories of Ether Experiments in …
    Written Communication
  5. Paretti et al. (2019)
    Faculty and Student Perceptions of the Impacts of Communication in the Discipli…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Show all 8 →
  1. Vealey (2017)
    Kenny Fountain, T. (2014). Rhetoric in the Flesh: Trained Vision, Technical Exp…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. Bourelle (2015)
    Writing in the Professions: An Internship for Interdisciplinary Students
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  3. Mackiewicz (2012)
    Relying on Writing Consultants: The Design of a WID Program for a College of Business
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication

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CrossRef global citation count: 84 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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