AnnoBib -- Rev. of Problem-Solving Strategies for Writing, by Linda Flower

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Petrosky, Anthony R. Rev. of Problem-Solving Strategies for Writing, by Linda Flower. College Composition and Communication 34.2 (May 1983): 233-235. Print.
    First finds that the Flower's text book offers nothing new than others, but then spends extensive space in critiquing apparent insufficiencies of cognitive theory in communication – it overlooks “reflective, associative, metaphoric, intuitive, and imaginative thinking because … they are not easily represented as aspects of conscious, goal-directed problem-solving” (233). Criticizes Flower's use of collaborative groups: she overlooks the likely misreadings of students as a reflection of different personal paradigms. Claims that Flowers does not appreciate “writing to learn” as part of the composition process. Completely dismisses cognitive as only a mechanical problem-solving and systems analysis methodology. Petrosky is “deeply disturbed” that the text reinterprets traditional composition theory in “logical positivism.”
        Petrosky's comments about omissions begin soundly – communication theory does expect a more thorough discussion of such elements – and Flower does deemphasize interpretation in her text book, but he errs in attributing logical positivism to Flower's text as he misreads her use of communication metaphor as critique, not adoption as he claims. Responded by Flower in “Response to Anthony Petrosky.”

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