An Axiomatic Theory of Cognition and Writing

Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Apr 1985

An Axiomatic Theory of Cognition and Writing

James E. Grunig ; Shirley Ramsey ; Larissa A. Schneider

Abstract

A great deal of empirical research has been done in the past to test writing rules commonly taught in the classroom. To date, however, no one has constructed a deep theory of the relationship between cognition and writing that confirms the writing rules and explains why they work. Grunig, Ramsey, and Schneider construct a deep theory of the relationship between language, cognition, and writing — based upon theories and research in the fields of cognitive psychology, social psychology, philosophy of language, information theory, reading theory, rhetoric, and systems theory. The authors build a theory of writing that contains fifteen definitions, eleven premises, and eleven principles. The eleven axiomatic principles subsume practical writing rules, especially science writing rules, and offer a broad framework for research. The article concludes with results of several exploratory studies using the “signaled stopping technique” to observe the cognitive effects of writing.

Journal: Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published: 1985-04-01
DOI: 10.2190/u69h-v85u-96c5-1rpp
Topics: empirical research

Citation Context

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