The Importance of Harmony: An Ecological Metaphor for Writing Research

Date

2008-12

Authors

Fleckenstein, Kristie S.
Spinuzzi, Clay
Rebeccca, Rickly J.
Papper, Carole Clark

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

College Composition and Communication

Abstract

This essay argues for the value of an ecological metaphor in conceptualizing, designing, and enacting research in writing studies. Such a metaphor conceives of activities, actors, situations, and phenomena as interdependent, diverse, and fused through feedback. This ecological orientation invites composition scholars to research rhetorically: to devise and argue for a systematic account of reality in ways that others find persuasive, useful, and widely applicable while remaining sensitive to the incompleteness and distortions of a single account.

Department

Description

K.S. Fleckenstein was at Florida State University, C. Spinuzzi was at the University of Texas at Austin, R.J. Rickly was at Texas Tech University, and C. Clark was at Hofstra University.

LCSH Subject Headings

Citation

Fleckenstein, Kristie S; Spinuzzi, Clay; Rickly, Rebecca J; Papper, Carole Clark: "The Importance of Harmony: An Ecological Metaphor for Writing Research" College Composition and Communication (60:2) Dec 2008, 388-419.