The Value of Formal Conventions in Disciplinary Writing

Abstract

The value of formal writing conventions has been diminished in mainstream composition scholarship; although research on occupational writing suggests that formal conventions are important, these findings are hard to generalize. This study, a content analysis of 12 professional style manuals, achieves generalizability by elucidating the institutional norms of disciplinary writing (a subset of occupational writing to which much scientific and technical writing belongs). Formal conventions prove to be highly valued. More important, the use of formal conventions often is justified on rhetorical grounds, suggesting that the dichotomy between formalist and rhetorical axiologies posited in composition scholarship is false.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
1994-10-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651994008004003
Open Access
Closed
Topics

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Written Communication

Cites in this index (7)

  1. Written Communication
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Written Communication
  4. Research in the Teaching of English
  5. Research in the Teaching of English
Show all 7 →
  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  2. College Composition and Communication
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CrossRef global citation count: 4 View in citation network →