Clarity in Context: Rethinking Misunderstanding

Author: Schneider, Barbara

Source: Technical Communication, Volume 49, Number 2, May 2002 , pp. 210-218(9)

Publisher: Society for Technical Communication

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content

Abstract:

Communication theory offers a practical approach to rethinking the nature of misunderstanding and to understanding clarity in communication. I present two approaches to understanding communication, the transmission model and the constitutive model, and argue that the constitutive model can offer productive ways to reduce misunderstanding. The constitutive model offers a view of misunderstanding as the result of a lack of shared context for understanding. Context is constituted in communicative interaction rather than being external to the communicative situation. Strategies to ensure a shared context include using strategic talk in spoken communication and embedding written communication as much as possible in strategic talk.

Document Type: Research article

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$18.00 plus tax      Refund Policy

 

OR

Back to top

Key:
Free Content - Free Content
New Content - New Content
Subscribed Content - Subscribed Content
Free Trial Content - Free Trial Content
Share this item with others: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
Page Help Click here for Page Help
Shopping cart
Tools
Sign in






Need to register?
Sign up here
Text size: A | A | A | A