Collaborative voices: Rhetorical and textual features of collaboratively written reports
Abstract
This research investigates whether rhetorical and textual features of collaboratively written texts differ from those of individually written texts. Thirty-two reports written on the same topic and for the same readers, sixteen of which were written collaboratively and sixteen individually, were analyzed for reader/writer/community relationships established in the reports, types of arguments and support used, kind and number of visual elements used, and stylistic features. Comparison of the results for each set show that, while the collaboratively and individually written texts differed little in their use of argument types, supports used, visual elements, and style, they did differ in the relationships established between writer and reader and in definition of the rhetorical problem. Collaboratively written texts were more likely to include a wider variety of members of the rhetorical situation and to acknowledge these members' opinions on the rhetorical problem. They were also more likely to develop a complex view of the rhetorical problem focused on the specific context. Results are related to claims for collaboration made by researchers and teachers.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Sullivan, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Language
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