A Contextual Theory for Business Writing

Journal of Business and Technical Communication Oct 1993

A Contextual Theory for Business Writing

LAURA A. BRADY

Abstract

What is the role of conventions in business writing? Too often, textbook samples of business writing are removed from their original contexts. If we invite students to analyze these models for specific textual features, we teach them methods of formalist evaluation, but we fail to teach them ways in which they can learn to analyze and respond to specific contexts, see the subtle ways in which texts are inflected with many voices, and actively participate in the cultural conversation of the business community. This article moves from a critique of conventions to theories of context and intertext; these theories are applied to case studies of both professional and student business writing practices to analyze how rhetorical exchanges shape conventions and communication.

Journal: Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published: 1993-10-01
DOI: 10.1177/1050651993007004003
Open Access: Closed
Topics: multimodality professional writing voice and style

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

Spinuzzi (1996)

Pseudotransactionality, Activity Theory, and Professional Writing Instruction

Technical Communication Quarterly
KALMAN (1996)

Joint Composition

Written Communication

Cites in this index (1)

Bruffee (1984)

Collaborative Learning and the "Conversation of Mankind"

College English

Also cites 1 work outside this index ↓

10.2307/357861

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