Abstract: In Knowledge Building (KB) research, the metadiscourse concept has been taken in use more in recent years. Still, the definitions seem to be quite simple and vague. In this paper, I therefore review how the metadiscourse concept is used in some selected research papers. By comparing these papers, I discuss the degree of similarities and differences in the use of the concept within the field. In addition, I propose a typology that includes both written and verbal metadiscourse and which may be relevant when analyzing knowledge building discourse.

1. Metadiscourse – A question about
verbal or written metadiscourse?
By Rolf K. Baltzersen
Østfold University College, Norway

2. What is metadiscourse?
- An element of knowledge building discourse includes occasional
periods of reflection on the state and direction of the
community’s discourse itself.
- “Meta-discourse” can be described as discussion about
discussion, and calls for community members to take a “meta-
perspective” on their own dialogue.
- Metadiscourse serves as a type of formative evaluation that
can help a knowledge creating community both assess their
achievement up to the current point and decide on a future plan
of action (Resendes et al., 2013)

3. Metadiscourse can help students
(….) recognizing shared knowledge advances,
identifying setbacks, plotting out next steps,
setting goals and drawing links between them,
connecting ideas, articulating new and
promising questions, and establishing deeper
ties between authoritative knowledge and newly
identified problems (Zhang et al., 2009; Zhang & Messina 2010; Zhang et al., 2011).
(From Resendes et al., 2013)

4. Verbal discourse about written
discourse (on the screen)
Notes in Knowledge Forum
Word Cloud (Resendes et al., 2013)
Idea Thread Mapper (Zhang et al., 2012)
What do you
see on the
screen?

5. Verbal discourse about verbal
discourse
1. Are we
doing
Knowledge
Building now?
2. Well, that
depends. Is this
discussion
helping us?

6. Written discourse about a verbal
discourse
Preparing for
«metacognitive meeting»
(Zhang, Lee and Wilde, 2012)
Doing work in Knowledge
Forum after
metadiscourse session
(Resendes et al., 2013)

7. Written discourse about a written
discourse

8. A metadiscourse typology
Meta-writing
Meta-talk
Written discourse Written discourse
about a written
discourse.
Verbal discourse about
a written discourse.
Verbal discourse Written discourse
about a verbal
discourse.
Verbal discourse about
a verbal discourse.

9. A complex interplay

10. Sources
• Zhang, J., Lee, J., & Wilde, J. (2012). Metadiscourse to foster collective responsibility for deepening inquiry. In J. van Aalst, K.
Thompson, M. J. Jacobson, & P. Reimann (Eds.), The Future of Learning: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference of
the Learning Sciences (ICLS 2012) (Full papers) (pp. 395–402). Sydney, NSW, Australia: International Society of the Learning
Sciences (ISLS). Retrieved from
http://tccl.rit.albany.edu/wpsite/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Spacestudy_icls_final_refined.pdf
• Resendes, M., Chen, B., Acosta, A., & Scardamalia, M. (2013). The Effect of Formative Feedback on Vocabulary Use and
Distribution of Vocabulary Knowledge in a Grade Two Knowledge Building Class. In N. Rummel, M. Kapur, M. Nathan, & S.
Puntambekar (Eds.), To See the World and a Grain of Sand Learning across Levels of Space Time and Scale CSCL 2013
Conference Proceedings Volume1 Full Papers Symposia (pp. 391 – 398). International Society of the Learning Sciences.

11. Pictures
- Kids drawing together:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34728058@N08/4250445407/in/photolist-7tADkv-7tEB8G-ccxP9y-9pVTzv-c6ty5f-a5A1Uv-bAtCfn-9nHdWn-
- Student presenting for other students. Raising his hands.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/32310384@N03/4587338975/in/photolist-7Znj4i-7Atavz-7At9y2-7AwV3j-7AwUPu-7AwTNE-7AwUyN-7AwU
- Picture of note in Knowledge Forum: http://ikit.org/kb_resources/?p=903#more-903
- Word cloud:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35059235@N06/4963334783/in/photolist-8yAovD-7xY1nH-7RL4vZ-7RL4pp-7RPiYL-9W3GZK-9enUpX-b4DG
- Children sitting in front of laptop :
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47823583@N03/8466485544/in/photolist-dU9XbG-fohmm1-ehBnRE-8GmvbX-8qf7ng-8qZDrT-bVR7nE-bX4
Children working together:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40170888@N07/5477502028/in/photolist-9m2Cw9-aBcCCT-9vPk2D-bNwYWH-8Kgr1s-awLWmB-dfNbs3-9C

12. Pictures
Children sitting on floor: http://www.flickr.com/photos/28232089@N04/6728125239/in/photolist-bfxpei-aYVwBX-aYVwYR-
aYVwQp-aYVwMZ-aYVwFi-aYVx36-aYVwWg-aYVwtT-aYVwwc-aYVx86-aYVxcT-aYVwKz-aYVxa8-aYVwT4-aYVx5F-e6cPB4-7TqRdr-
8q6Dqj-atoL6E-atoKDW-atm77T-atoKpj-atm6Lx-cB61M9-atoKJW-cCMKLu-atoKHo-eoW788-bm1WoB-az1Gta-agE4ZE-agA6t8-
atm7g6-8cPuyr-dSinty-7TqRdP-d8J9Um-8B6Ym3-7N3Ehq-epSkeS-7L5QUD-e8DnjF-7HQ89R-av1T41-auYcdi-av1SBE-av1SGC-
auYcjB-auYcpg-auYcGc
Children in front of computer:http://www.flickr.com/photos/26204872@N08/3887312861/in/photolist-6VvuFx-8oUPTS-9DFvj7-
aStwvT-98DAGE-duvjjF-99XZry-7LRPcs-96DN2L-99CQgX-99EyQN-8Jzfg7-8LcZyG-bzKTg9-fnQZb7-8BdEgr-9S9UTG-dREwvJ-b2Y1vX-
83Fnrf-dkYFci-9AqLrn-8L9Vbr-8VxjJm