Surveys research on rhetorical purpose. Discusses five key questions concerning purpose which emerge from current research: (1) what is meant by purpose?; (2) what are the influences on purpose?; (3) do various groups of writers consider purpose?; (4) how does purpose operate throughout composing?; and (5) how should purpose be taught? (RS)

Distinguishes between different kinds of positivism. Describes three logical positivist doctrines (physicalism, operationalism, and the unity of science) which became interwoven into the behaviorist rhetoric of the 1940s and 1950s. Argues that despite the historical influence of positivist texts, other epistemologies, especially constructivist and…

Ponders the definition of "composition research." Discusses research, inquiry paradigms, teacher research, meta-analysis, and other forms. Debates whether, from an agonistic standpoint, the conflicting meanings of composition research can be reduced to competing ways of knowing or competing modes of inquiry. (PRA)

Asserts that traditional composition is only one pattern among many for creating and communicating knowledge and that different kinds of writing are specific to different fields. Argues that for people to communicate and understand one another in the world around them, they must have a clearer understanding of the various ways writing occurs. (PRA)

Argues for a cognitive-based curriculum which ensures that students participate fully in using writing as a mode of learning. Discusses Bloom's taxonomy of cognitive skills: (1) knowledge; (2) comprehension; (3) application; (4) synthesis; and (5) evaluation. (RAE)

Argues that empiricism has a role as a complement to humanistic methodologies in composition research. Humanistic methodologies yield the stuff of hypotheses; empirically proven hypotheses provide further ground for humanistic interpretation. (MS)

Provides an initial test of a multidimensional model of written communication apprehension as the construct relates to syntactic language use. Finds support for a multidimensional model of writing apprehension and for the impact that syntactic choice has on an individual's perceptions of writing apprehension. (MS)

Presents Martin Greenspan's four-stage (preparatory, incubation, illumination, and verification) model of the creation of new thought. Argues that this model provides a way of seeing, identifying, and understanding features of writing to learn and learning to write that other composition theories have not permitted. (RS)

Indicates why a dialog between the fields of linguistics and literary study has been limited in the past. Argues that recent fundamental changes in both domains give reason to think that conditions are now much more auspicious for concerted interaction, which would prove useful and important. (HB)

Supports outlining as an invaluable tool for teaching students how to prepare to write on subjects of a logical nature and for analysis of writing of like kind. (RAE)

Outlines a set of terms which can be used (in sequencing writing assignments from simple to complex) to make distinctions between kinds of sequences and notions of complexity. Shows how these terms allow teachers to understand the logic of various sequences, compare and contrast related sequences, and evaluate the concept of assignment sequence.…

Describes the complex meanings of the term "tradition," and relates these meanings to the search for the traditions of composition theory and teaching. Illustrates the constitution and revision of traditions by examining the work of theorists William E. Coles Jr. and David Bartholomae and the reception of their work. (HB)

Critiques various forms of modernism, traditional Marxism, and liberalism from a postmodern perspective. Identifies the politics of the intellectual projects undertaken by Frederic Jameson and Patricia Bizzell as modernist and reactionary. Argues that their academic appeal lies in their conservatism. (HB)

Constructs a language-centered perspective toward the social-rhetorical construction of knowledge by juxtaposing Kenneth Burke's philosophy of language with Thomas S. Kuhn's philosophy of science. Discusses rhetoric's epistemic status and the social constructionist account of discourse production. (HB)

Presents a transcript of an interview with the British logician and philosopher Stephen Toulmin. Covers aspects of his various books. Relates his thoughts to the field of composition studies. (HB)