Claims that regardless of the dilemmas qualitative researchers face given the implications of postmodern critique, qualitative research elicits an understanding of communication practices in ways that other kinds of research cannot. Proposes a model of research practices to help researchers understand qualitative research as a social activity and…

Argues that mainstream composition studies is narrow in scope and limited in perspective. Offers thoughts that might help composition professionals improve the situation. Provides evidence of neglect of writing in English as a Second Language and languages other than English. Introduces concepts from second-language studies that could help…

States that socially-oriented scholars think that context-specific writing skills that address the text's social milieu should be taught, whereas cognitively-inclined scholars think that models that can be adapted to a variety of writing contexts should be taught. Argues that synthesis is necessary to teach students to write in a variety of…

Examines the opposition of objectified exposition and personal narrative posited by rhetorical tradition and maintained by most composition texts and syllabi today. Argues that the best thinking and writing are simultaneously personal and public, infused with private meaning and focused upon the world beyond the self.(MG)