Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jul 2001

Toward Sociocultural Sensitivity in Rhetorical Studies of Analogy: Theoretical and Methodological Considerations

Joseph Little University of California, Santa Barbara

Abstract

In their macroscopic approach to analogy, rhetorical studies project the latent assumption that sound analogical reasoning is a universal property of human consciousness rather than a socioculturally inherited practice that varies over time and place. After drawing briefly from landmark work in the social sciences to show notable cases of cultural variation in analogical reasoning, I present Lev Vygotsky's concept of internalization and Dedre Gentner's structure mapping theory of analogy as fruitful theoretical and methodological avenues through which to detect sociocultural variation in analogical reasoning practices in science.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2001-07-01
DOI
10.2190/4pdh-8y8k-krrp-7ae4
Open Access
Closed
Topics
multilingual writers

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

  1. Little (2008)
    The Role of Analogy in George Gamow's Derivation of Drop Energy
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Little (2003)
    The Peter Effect in Early Experimental Education Research
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Little (2001)
    Understanding Statistical Significance: A Conceptual History
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (2)

  1. Little (2000)
    Analogy in science: Where do we go from here?
    Rhetoric Society Quarterly
  2. Little (1999)
    Confusion in the Classroom: Does Logos Mean Logic?
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Also cites 7 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1080/00335637409383253
     ↗
  2. 10.1525/rh.1989.7.1.55
     ↗
  3. 10.1080/00335637509383301
     ↗
  4. 10.1080/00335638609383782
     ↗
  5. 10.2307/j.ctt5vkgvh.12
     ↗
  6. 10.1017/CBO9781139173865.022
     ↗
  7. 10.1126/science.146.3642.347
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 4 View in citation network →

Related Articles

  1. Computers and Composition Jun 2026
    “Article laundry” or “tutor in pocket?”: Multilingual writers’ generative AI-assisted writing in professional settings ↗
    Qianqian Zhang-Wu
    artificial intelligence multilingual writers
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2026
    What Video Games Can Tell Us About Interactive Technical Communication ↗
    Emily Kuzneski Johnson
    multimodality technical communication multilingual writers
  3. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2026
    “Is This Ethical?” New Data on the Ethical Principles and Practices of Document Design ↗
    Leslie Seawright; Amy Hodges; Timothy Ponce
    multimodality technical communication disability studies multilingual writers
  4. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 2026
    How to Write With GenAI: A Framework for Using Generative AI to Automate Writing Tasks in Technical Communication ↗
    Guiseppe Getto; Susan Kelley; Bremen Vance
    artificial intelligence technical communication multilingual writers
  5. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Mar 2026
    “It's Hard to Show ROI When You’re Preventing Things from Happening”: How Impact Storytelling Frames Community Health Initiatives for Executive Audiences ↗
    Margaret Hsiao
    qualitative research multimodality technical communication professional writing multilingual writers