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
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Cited by in this index (23)

  1. Written Communication
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  4. Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Technical Communication Quarterly
Show all 23 →
  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. Communication Design Quarterly
  5. Technical Communication Quarterly
  6. Technical Communication Quarterly
  7. Technical Communication Quarterly
  8. Written Communication
  9. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  10. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  11. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  12. Written Communication
  13. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  14. Technical Communication Quarterly
  15. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  16. Technical Communication Quarterly
  17. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  18. Journal of Business and Technical Communication

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