Journal of Business and Technical Communication Jan 2004

Discourse Methods and Critical Practice in Professional Communication

Ellen Barton Wayne State University

Abstract

A set of discourse-based methods—genre theory, genre analysis, and discourse analysis—can provide a descriptive basis for a critical analysis of the multiple connections between discourse practices and their underlying concepts and categories within professions. To illustrate this theoretical and methodological project, this article analyzes prognosis in the discourse of medicine. Using Goffman’s (1959) distinction between front-stage and back-stage discourse, the author suggests that a back-stage discourse of prognosis points to problems with prognosis in the front-stage discourse of medical encounters between oncologists and patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. The analysis shows that the oral genre of treatment discussion in oncology encounters is organized to allow practitioners to do, appear to do, or avoid doing difficult work like presenting a prognosis. The article suggests that discourse-based methods have the potential to become the basis for productive critical engagement between practitioners and researchers in professional communication.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2004-01-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651903258127
Open Access
Closed
Topics
genre theory discourse analysis professional writing

Citation Context

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CrossRef global citation count: 38 View in citation network →

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