New York College Learning Skills Association

RTDE Issue Contents

Research and Teaching
in Developmental Education

Volume 16, Issue 2, Spring 2000

Developing Writers, Developing Professionals: Graduate Students Bridging Theory and Practice in Basic Writing
By Dana B. Lundell, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

Abstract

This article presents a qualitative research study which thematically analyzes e-mail conversations exchanged by graduate students teaching in a developmental writing program. The discussion focuses on the relationship between these teachers and their students and addresses key issues in basic writing theory and practice. An analysis of these conversations suggests that graduate students and developmental writers share a similar position in the university, working on the margins of the scholarly communities which they are trying to join. Through an examination of the data from the archives and a discussion of relevant theory, this study suggests that, as professionals entering the conversation in composition, graduate students can offer a unique perspective on basic writing and act effectively as bridges for developmental writers learning to negotiate discourse boundaries.