Texts as Permanent and Dynamic
Traditional texts are permanent, stable artifacts that sit on shelves in homes, schools, and libraries. The dynamism of texts results when humans construct and interact with them. As authors construct texts, and their voices intertwine with other voices, a common thread binds the needs of the writer with the needs of the greater society. As a result, texts are dynamic, changing over time as they are constructed anew by society (Berkenkotter & Huckin, 1995). Texts are also dynamic with respect to interactions among writers, the words on the page, and readers. According to Nystrand (1986, 1989), the meaning of texts evolves as readers, who possess their own sociocultural ideals, interact with the text in unique ways.
Reading Online, www.readingonline.org
Posted July 2001