Discursive horizontality in digital communities of practice

Abstract

This paper discusses the value of horizontal communication in the digital genres used by communities of practice, as an agent which promotes new participation and interaction modes among ICT users. We seek to show, through the preliminary discourse analysis of a blog, how horizontality promotes interaction among the users in a specific community, allowing them to take active part in the interests, routines, and shared interests of the group, and to be message receivers – and not only recipients.