Increasing the descriptive power of CHAT with culturally advanced notation

Language is a tool, and hence directly affects the outcome of any activity undertaken. This paper describes such a tool together with the proposition that it will improve the use of the concept of contradictions as a conceptual tool within activity theory. The authors find that within their own research activity, adopting a concise but descriptive notation has greatly enhanced the quality of communication and therefore directly impinges on the quality of research outcomes. The notation is described and support provided for its adoption.