Threshold concepts in academic writing. Please note, I write my blog on weekends. It is not part of my workload, nor in my job description. I support the #USS strike. Many of you probably know what the term a ‘threshold concept’ means. My understanding of a threshold concept is that it’s a transformative idea located in a discipline.
Jan Meyer and Roy Land developed the notion of the threshold concept. They use the metaphor of a conceptual gateway – passing through the gate means that things that seemed previously mysterious, nonsensical and incomprehensible become clear. A threshold concept is something that is held in common by a disciplinary community. A threshold concept is not the same as a core concept or foundational idea. When I run writing workshops I emphasise seven threshold concepts: But my seven threshold concepts are not all that there are. The authors are North American writing scholars of varying seniority. Each of the meta-concepts is explained through four to six related ideas.
See also: Like this: eMargin. Frig. Interactive Ltd | eMedia Interactive :: Bringing your Science to Life. 6mots. FutureMe.org: Write a Letter to the Future. Enda Tuomey's English Language Writing Website.