Comments on the papers presented in this special edition of this journal. The papers present a major step in conceptualizing what is happening in mathematics classrooms. Suggests that research on discourse in the mathematics classroom should proceed on the present high level of empirical analysis. (Author/MM)

This essay offers a theory of collective rhetoric derived from a case study of a central rhetorical event of the second wave of feminism, the Redstockings' 1969 abortion speak-out. A central rhetorical function of consciousness-raising was the collective development of experiential knowledge, and I propose that collective rhetorics are…

As its title suggests, this is an account of "the Second E-Forum on Competency-based Approaches" and summarises the opinions and experiences expressed by the participants. The forum was based on a discussion paper prepared by the Canadian Observatory of Educational Reforms and a series of questions raised by Philippe Jonnaert were used to…

Today's society is so bound by the conventions of print-based culture that it is almost impossible to recreate the spirit of the highly dynamic, ancient art form of rhetoric. Rhetoric's origins lie in the art of oral rhapsodic composing that involved a complex set of interrelated mental and linguistic patterns. Most contemporary scholars of…

An unavoidably ideological frame of reference in Writing across the Curriculum (WAC) exists and an unavoidably political job must be undertaken if Writing across the Curriculum is to escape being the handmaiden to the so-called content disciplines. Despite this, many teachers who work in the field do not see their task as emerging from a distinct…

One alternative approach for assessing the moral quality of public argument in liberal democracy is narrative ethics, based not in procedural rationality but in narrative, with a concern for character and community. To be intelligible and practicable, such criticism shifts the focus of ethics from discrete decisions and actions to questions of…

Explores the relationship between interaction involvement as a traitlike dimension of communicative competence and the use of grammatical cohesive devices to create explicit ties within conversation. Presents three dyad types and argues that the patterned use of cohesive devices is sensitive to the nature of the dyad type. (MM)

Argues that an explanation for the long adherence by composition text writers to a patently artificial set of discourse classifications lies not so much in the historical conditions surrounding nineteenth century rhetoric as in the theoretical origins of the modes themselves. Observes that Connors' discourse aims theory disregards audience…

This paper examines the oral and written discourse processes in a high school physics class and how these discourse processes are related to sociocultural practices in scientific communities. The theoretical framework is based on sociological and anthropological studies of scientific communities and ethnographies of classroom life. The use of…

Examines the dichotomy posited by David Bartholmae and Peter Elbow between institutional or contextual writing and personal writing; or more generally, between social constructivism and expressivism. Attempts to propose a means of mediation between the two positions that goes beyond previous attempts, particularly that of "externalism."…

It is often presumed that software technology will increase group productivity, but this may not be the case. Examines the impact of technology on time-to-complete-task, member satisfaction, perceived information load, number of contributing transactions, and task complexity. Three appendices provide examples of complex and simple tasks and the…

Discusses narratives and the possible narrative structure of the process leading up to the completed article. Discusses two approaches to categorization and the most commonly referred to criteria for identifying narratives as well as the problems principally involved in punctuation of sequences and thus in deciding which narrative we are dealing…

Explores the development of a classification system for two-year institutions that can provide a framework for analysis and contribute to the discourse in public policy. The proposed classification system is based on cluster analyses using data from the National Center for Education Statistics' Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System…

Suggests taking Habermas's notion of communicative rationality as a reference point from which to organize educational activities and evaluate their "being educational" in the classroom. Communicative rationality in the classroom provides a perspective from which one can establish a normative standard for being educational. (Contains…

Maintains that electronic discourse, or secondary orality, compels the reappropriation of classic rhetoric as a new source for reflection and action in rhetoric and in the humanities. Argues that its adaptability, focus on production, and usefulness make it an extraordinarily powerful way of studying all kinds of texts and their contexts. (SR)