Abstract
In normative pragmatics, a kind of empirical discourse analysis organized by normative theory, the analysis of any communication process begins with an idealized model of the discourse that can be compared with actual practices. Idealizations of argumentation can be found, among other places, in theoretical descriptions of ‘critical discussion’ and other dialogue types. Comparing ideal models with actual practices can pinpoint defects in the models (leading to theoretical refinements), but it can also identify deficiencies in practice. This latter possibility invites redesign around well-justified idealizations. This paper outlines an approach to the design of discourse processes and illustrates the approach with contrastive analysis of several recently developed protocols for discussion and debate on the worldwide web.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Bleiberg, S. and L. Churchill: 1975, 'Notes on Confrontation in Conversation', Journal of Psycholinguistic Research 4, 273-278.
Craig, R. T.: 1989, 'Communication as Practical Discipline', in B. Dervin, L. Grossberg, B. J. O'Keefe and E. Wartella (eds.), Rethinking Communication, Vol. 1, Paradigm Issues, Sage, Newbury Park, CA, pp. 97-102.
Craig, R. T. and K. Tracy: 1995, 'Grounded Practical Theory: The Case of Intellectual Discussion', Communication Theory 5, 248-272.
Jackson, S. and S. Jacobs: 1980, 'Structure of Conversational Argument: Pragmatic Bases for the Enthymeme', Quarterly Journal of Speech 66, 251-265.
Jacobs, S.: 1986, 'How to Make an Argument from Example in Discourse Analysis', in D. G. Ellis and W. A. Donohue (eds.), Contemporary Issues in Language and Discourse Analysis, Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, pp. 149-168.
Jacobs, S.: 1989, 'Finding Common Ground and Zones of Agreement: Two Models of Rationality for Conflict Resolution', in B. E. Gronbeck (ed.), Spheres of Argument: Proceedings of the Sixth SCA/AFA Conference on Argumentation, Speech Communication Association, Annandale, VA, pp. 511-516.
Jacobs, S.: 1992, 'Argumentation without Advocacy: Strategies for Case-building by Dispute Mediators', in F. H. van Eemeren, R. Grootendorst, J. A. Blair and C. A. Willard (eds.), Argument Illuminated, Stichting Internationaal Centrum Voor de Studie van Argumentatie en Taalbeheersing, Dordrecht, pp. 270-280.
Jacobs, S. and S. Jackson: 1983, 'Speech Act Structure in Conversation: Rational Aspects of Pragmatic Coherence', in R. T. Craig and K. Tracy (eds.), Conversational Coherence: Form, Structure, and Strategy, Sage, Beverly Hills, CA, pp. 47-66.
Jacobs, S., S. Jackson, S. Stearns, and B. Hall: 1991, 'Digressions in Argumentative Discourse: Multiple Goals, Standing Concerns, and Implicatures', in K. Tracy (ed.), Understanding Face-to-Face Interaction: Issues Linking Goals and Discourse, Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, pp. 43-61.
Mazur, A.: 1993, 'The Science Court: Reminiscence and Retrospective', Risk: Issues in Health & Safety 4, 161-170.
O'Keefe, B. J.: 1988, 'The Logic of Message Design: Individual Differences in Reasoning about Communciation', Communication Monographs 55, 80-103.
van Eemeren, F. H. and R. Grootendorst: 1984, Speech Acts in Argumentation Discussion, Foris, Dordrecht, Holland.
van Eemeren, F. H., R. Grootendorst, S. Jackson and S. Jacobs: 1993, Reconstructing Argumentative Discourse, University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa, AL.
Walton, D. N.: 1992, Plausible Arguement in Everyday Conversation, SUNY Press, Albany, NY.
Willard, C. A.: 1985, 'The Science of Values and the Values of Science', in J. R. Cox, M. O. Sillars and G. B. Walker (eds.), Argument and Social Practice: Proceedings of the Fourth SCA/AFA Conference on Argumentation, Speech Communication Association, Annandale, VA, pp. 435-444.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jackson, S. Disputation by Design. Argumentation 12, 183–198 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007743830491
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007743830491