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Leedham, Maria; Lillis, Theresa and Twiner, Alison
(2024).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcae170
Abstract
Writing comprises a core area of social work as a substantial amount of time is spent on producing case notes, assessment reports and other required documentation in order to progress cases; however, little research has been carried out on social workers’ writing and, in particular, the specific discursive and rhetorical devices employed to create effective texts. One rhetorical device often employed in order to include the voices of service users and their families is the use of quotations. This paper explores the extent to which quotations are used across social work domains and text types, the different voices represented through quotations, and the perceived functions of the quotations. The study draws on three different data types: 1) a 1-million-word corpus of social workers’ writing; 2) social worker interviews (n=81); 3) two case studies comprising texts, interviews with the social worker writer, and researcher observations. All data was collected within the WiSP project and is interrogated through a mix of computational and qualitative analysis to develop a taxonomy of functions of quotations. In addition to furthering our understanding of how quotations are employed in professional writing, the study has implications for social worker training and practice.
Plain Language Summary
Writing is an important area of social work and a great deal of time is spent on writing case notes, assessment reports and other documentation which help to move cases forward. Little research has been carried out on social workers’ writing and, in particular, the specific writing devices used to create effective texts. One technique often used is to quote service users and their families. This paper explores how quotations are used in children’s and adults’ care and in different types of texts. The paper also looks at who is quoted and identifies the functions of the quotes. The study draws on three different types of data: 1) a 1-million-word collection of social workers’ writing; 2) 81 social worker interviews; 3) two case studies. All data was collected within the WiSP project. The study helps us to understand how quotations are used in professional writing, and will also be useful for social worker training.
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