Edited by Tony Silva and Paul Kei Matsuda

Second Language Writing Series
Edited by Paul Kei Matsuda

Information and Pricing
978-1-60235-138-7 (paperback, $32); 978-1-60235-139-4 (hardcover, $65.00); 978-1-60235-140-0 (PDF, $19.99) © 2010 by Parlor Press. 330 pages with notes, bibliography, illustrations, tables, and index.

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About This Book

Theory has been used widely in the field of second language writing. Second language writing specialists—teachers, researchers, and administrators—have yet to have an open and sustained conversation about what theory is, how it works, and, more important, how to practice theory. Practicing Theory in Second Language Writing features fourteen essays by distinguished scholars in second language writing who explore various aspects of theoretical work that goes on in the field.

The key  issues addressed in Practicing Theory in Second Language Writing include the nature of theory in second language writing and the role theory plays in second language writing research, instruction, and administration; the possibility and desirability of developing a comprehensive theory or theories of second language writing; applications of theory, including the advantages, disadvantages, and limitations of adapting theories from other areas of inquiry to second language writing research, instruction, and assessment; theorizing and building theory, including the ways in which second language writing teachers, researchers, and administrators develop theories of second language writing, what a theory of second language writing might look like; the relationship between the conceptual work of theorizing and data-driven theory building; practicing theory, including how second language writing teachers, researchers, and administrators might address theory; the practical issues of learning to work with theory; and the ways that theory informs instruction and administration as well as materials development.

Contributors include Dwight Atkinson, Diane Belcher, A. Suresh Canagarajah, Joan Carson, Deborah Crusan, Alister Cumming, Doug Flahive, Lynn M. Goldstein, Linda Harklau, John Hedgcock, Alan Hirvela, Ryuko Kubota, Paul Kei Matsuda, Lourdes Ortega, Dudley W. Reynolds, Tony Silva, Christine Tardy, Gwendolyn Williams, and Wei Zhu

About the Editors

Tony Silva is a Professor in the Department of English at Purdue University, where he directs and teaches courses in the Graduate Program in ESL and the ESL Writing Program. He co-edited the Journal of Second Language Writing from 1992 to 2007 and has served as the co-host of the Symposium on Second Language Writing since 1998. He has co-edited four books, co-authored another, and published his work in such journals as the Annual Review of Applied Linguistics, College Composition and Communication, ELT Journal, Modern Language Journal, TESOL Quarterly, and Written Communication.

Paul Kei Matsuda is Associate Professor of English at Arizona State University. Founding co-chair of the Symposium on Second Language Writing and Editor of the Parlor Press Series on Second Language Writing, he has published widely on second language writing in a wide variety of edited collections as well as journals such as such as College Composition and Communication, Composition Studies, Computers and Composition,College English, English for Specific Purposes, International Journal of Applied Linguistics, Journal of Basic Writing, Journal of Second Language Writing, and Written Communication.

Contents

Introduction
Tony Silva and Paul Kei Matsuda

Part I. The Nature and Role of Theory in Second Language Writing

1 Between Theory with a Big T and Practice with a Small p: Why Theory Matters
Dwight Atkinson

2 Theories, Frameworks, and Heuristics: Some Reflections on Inquiry and Second Language Writing
Alister Cumming

3 Multicompetence, Social Context, and L2 Writing Research Praxis
Lourdes Ortega and Joan Carson

4 Finding “Theory” in the Particular: An “Autobiography” of What I Learned and How about Teacher Feedback
Lynn M. Goldstein

Part II. Reflections on Theoretical Practices

5 Practicing Theory in Qualitative Research on Second Language Writing
Linda Harklau and Gwendolyn Williams

6 Cleaning up the Mess: Perspectives from a Novice Theory Builder
Christine Tardy

7 A Reconsideration of Contents of “Pedagogical Implications” and “Further Research Needed” Moves in the Reporting of Second Language Writing Research and Their Roles in Theory Building
Doug Flahive

8 Beyond Texts: A Research Agenda for Quantitative Research on Second Language Writers and Readers
Dudley W. Reynolds

9 Ideology and Theory in Second Language Writing: A Dialogical Treatment
A. Suresh Canagarajah

10 Critical Approaches to Theory in Second Language Writing: A Case of Critical Contrastive Rhetoric
Ryuko Kubota

11 Theory and Practice in Second Language Writing: How and Where Do They Meet?
Wei Zhu

12 Theory-and-Practice and Other Questionable Dualisms in L2 Writing
John Hedgcock

13 Assess Thyself Lest Others Assess Thee
Deborah Crusan

14 “Do I Need a Theoretical Framework?” Doctoral Students’ Perspectives on the Role of Theory in Dissertation Research and Writing
Diane Belcher and Alan Hirvela

Contributors
About the Editors