The representation of truth by the scientific discourse: views to a rupture of the academic literacy paradigms

Abstract

This article discusses, from a theoretical perspective, the question of writing in the academic sphere. The particularities of the ways to read and write in this sphere constitute a world of literacies characterized by a formality that distinguishes it, purposely, from other use situations of these abilities. The appropriation and maintenance of the scientific discourse, however, require students’ competences commonly not well developed during the years in basic education and which highlight the difficulties faced by both the student and the teacher in the transition to higher education. For the current discussion, I rely on literacy studies (STREET, 1984, 2003; KLEIMAN, 1995; HAMILTON, 2002) to deal, specifically, with academic literacy and the truth regime (FOUCAULT, 2004) through which the scientific discourse is legitimated in society.