Journal of Business and Technical Communication Jul 2007

Writing to Learn by Learning to Write in the Disciplines

Michael Carter North Carolina State University ; Miriam Ferzli North Carolina State University ; Eric N. Wiebe

Abstract

The traditional distinction between writing across the curriculum and writing in the disciplines (WID) as writing to learn versus learning to write understates WID's focus on learning in the disciplines. Advocates of WID have described learning as socialization, but little research addresses how writing disciplinary discourses in disciplinary settings encourages socialization into the disciplines. Data from interviews with students who wrote lab reports in a biology lab suggest five ways in which writing promotes learning in scientific disciplines. Drawing on theories of situated learning, the authors argue that apprenticeship genres can encourage socialization into disciplinary communities.

Journal
Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Published
2007-07-01
DOI
10.1177/1050651907300466
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
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Citation context

Cited by in this index (16)

  1. Lin et al. (2023)
    A Systematic Review on Inquiry-Based Writing Instruction in Tertiary Settings
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  2. Sharma (2022)
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  4. Fisher et al. (2022)
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  5. Fisher (2021)
    The Fact of the Text: Exploring Misalignment in Undergraduate Lab Reports
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Show all 16 →
  1. Cutrufello (2021)
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  2. Palmquist et al. (2020)
    Fifty Years of WAC: Where Have We Been? Where Are We Going?
    Across the Disciplines
  3. Paretti et al. (2019)
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  4. Baird et al. (2018)
    Dispositions in Natural Science Laboratories: The Roles of individuals and Cont…
    Across the Disciplines
  5. Vealey (2017)
    Kenny Fountain, T. (2014). Rhetoric in the Flesh: Trained Vision, Technical Exp…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  6. Bourelle (2015)
    Writing in the Professions: An Internship for Interdisciplinary Students
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  7. Henry et al. (2015)
    Writing to Learn and Learning to Perform: Lessons from a Writing Intensive Cour…
    Across the Disciplines
  8. Reed et al. (2014)
    Peer Assessment of Writing and Critical Thinking in STEM: Insights into Student…
    Double Helix
  9. Thonney (2013)
    "At first I thought...but then I don't know for sure": The Use of First Person …
    Across the Disciplines
  10. Mackiewicz (2012)
    Relying on Writing Consultants: The Design of a WID Program for a College of Business
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  11. Thomas (2009)
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    Across the Disciplines

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CrossRef global citation count: 84 View in citation network → Build reading path →

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