Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Jan 1988

The Components of Purpose and Professional-Communication Pedagogy

Nancy Roundy Blyler Iowa State University

Abstract

A review of the current literature suggests that the concept of purpose has not received sufficient theoretical or pedagogical attention. In this article, theoretical depth is provided by a discussion of four components of purpose: purpose as associated with discourse types, purpose from the writer's viewpoint, purpose as it relates to situation, and purpose from the reader's viewpoint. Research is cited, and examples from computer documentation are used to illustrate each component. Cooperation and conflict among components are examined in a sample document, and classroom applications are discussed.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
1988-01-01
DOI
10.2190/9xq1-11a6-wq0y-v2tb
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Topics
discourse analysis writing pedagogy digital rhetoric book reviews
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Citation Context

Cited by in this index (3)

  1. SULLIVAN et al. (1993)
    Remapping Curricular Geography: Professional Writing in/and English
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Walzer (1991)
    The meanings of “purpose”1
    Rhetoric Review
  3. Blyler (1990)
    Rhetorical Theory and Newsletter Writing
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

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CrossRef global citation count: 3 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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