Abstract:
This article examines the effects of using intertextual theories to refine writing instruction in culturally diverse contexts, in terms of transfer of learning. Within a wider, two-year intervention study in six schools, four teachers were observed for a term each to describe how intertextual theories resulted in refinements to writing instruction their Year 4-8 classes. These effective teachers of writing redesigned their writing programmes to create intertextual support for their writers. The nature of the changes resulted in writing instruction which allowed for incorporation of students’ textual knowledge as well as an explicit focus on future applicability of their learning. The observed teaching practices arguably offered students a greater degree of authority over their situated textual knowledge than might otherwise exist. The results of the study offer possibilities for writing instruction to build students’ knowledge through text inquiry as part of writing lessons
