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Questions and Answers
What does Discourse Analysis primarily focus on?
What does Discourse Analysis primarily focus on?
Cohesive devices are used to improve the flow and connection between sentences and ideas.
Cohesive devices are used to improve the flow and connection between sentences and ideas.
True (A)
In what decades did Discourse Analysis evolve as a separate field of study?
In what decades did Discourse Analysis evolve as a separate field of study?
1960s and 1970s
The study of _______ considers how language use varies between cultures.
The study of _______ considers how language use varies between cultures.
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Match the following cohesive devices with their categories:
Match the following cohesive devices with their categories:
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What is one characteristic that Discourse Analysis examines?
What is one characteristic that Discourse Analysis examines?
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The primary focus of written genres is on the grammatical structures used.
The primary focus of written genres is on the grammatical structures used.
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Name one type of cohesive device discussed in the content.
Name one type of cohesive device discussed in the content.
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Which type of reference occurs when a word refers back to something mentioned earlier in the text?
Which type of reference occurs when a word refers back to something mentioned earlier in the text?
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Cohesive devices only refer to grammatical connections.
Cohesive devices only refer to grammatical connections.
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Name one example of a cohesive device.
Name one example of a cohesive device.
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One common device for avoiding repetition in discourse is ___.
One common device for avoiding repetition in discourse is ___.
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Match the following types of references with their descriptions:
Match the following types of references with their descriptions:
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Which of the following is NOT a type of cohesive device?
Which of the following is NOT a type of cohesive device?
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Parallelism is a device used to create clarity through repetitive structures.
Parallelism is a device used to create clarity through repetitive structures.
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What is ellipsis in discourse?
What is ellipsis in discourse?
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Words like 'however' and 'therefore' are examples of ___.
Words like 'however' and 'therefore' are examples of ___.
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Match the following examples with the type of cohesion they represent:
Match the following examples with the type of cohesion they represent:
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What type of reference does the term 'she' represent when it refers to someone mentioned later?
What type of reference does the term 'she' represent when it refers to someone mentioned later?
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All cohesive devices serve the same function in discourse.
All cohesive devices serve the same function in discourse.
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What is a lexical chain?
What is a lexical chain?
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___ is a grammatical device that can shorten phrases by omitting words.
___ is a grammatical device that can shorten phrases by omitting words.
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What is typically placed at the end of a sentence for impact?
What is typically placed at the end of a sentence for impact?
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The overall topic of a text contributes to its coherence.
The overall topic of a text contributes to its coherence.
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The text about flooding suggests two threads of lexis: one about ______ and another about ______.
The text about flooding suggests two threads of lexis: one about ______ and another about ______.
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Match the following types of writing with their descriptions:
Match the following types of writing with their descriptions:
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Schemata are the shared understanding between a writer and a reader.
Schemata are the shared understanding between a writer and a reader.
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Define 'script' in the context of text comprehension.
Define 'script' in the context of text comprehension.
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The overall coherence of a text relies on a unified ______.
The overall coherence of a text relies on a unified ______.
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What is an example of a lexical chain found in the flooding article?
What is an example of a lexical chain found in the flooding article?
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A deviation from the expected script can improve text clarity.
A deviation from the expected script can improve text clarity.
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What genre does a formal letter typically belong to?
What genre does a formal letter typically belong to?
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The sequencing of information in texts often follows a ______ order.
The sequencing of information in texts often follows a ______ order.
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Match the following writing genres with their features:
Match the following writing genres with their features:
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What is the purpose of using substitutes like 'the crowd' for 'the audience'?
What is the purpose of using substitutes like 'the crowd' for 'the audience'?
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Repetition of key words is primarily used to create confusion in a text.
Repetition of key words is primarily used to create confusion in a text.
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What is meant by 'consistency of register'?
What is meant by 'consistency of register'?
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In the example 'They are rich. They are famous. They are young.', the structure used is _____ to reinforce the message.
In the example 'They are rich. They are famous. They are young.', the structure used is _____ to reinforce the message.
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Match the category of cohesive device to its description:
Match the category of cohesive device to its description:
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Which of the following is an example of grammatical cohesion?
Which of the following is an example of grammatical cohesion?
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Lexical cohesion involves the use of grammatical structures alone.
Lexical cohesion involves the use of grammatical structures alone.
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What is coherence in a text?
What is coherence in a text?
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The repeated use of a grammatical structure, like 'We will _____ taxes' several times can create _____ in a political context.
The repeated use of a grammatical structure, like 'We will _____ taxes' several times can create _____ in a political context.
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Match the type of cohesive device with its example:
Match the type of cohesive device with its example:
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Which of the following pairs is an example of lexical sets?
Which of the following pairs is an example of lexical sets?
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Coherence depends solely on grammatical cohesion.
Coherence depends solely on grammatical cohesion.
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What is the role of theme and rheme in a text?
What is the role of theme and rheme in a text?
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An example of a structural repetition is 'We will _____' which reinforces _____ in an election context.
An example of a structural repetition is 'We will _____' which reinforces _____ in an election context.
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Define lexical collocation.
Define lexical collocation.
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Which of the following is NOT a typical feature of a book or film review?
Which of the following is NOT a typical feature of a book or film review?
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The style of a letter of application is typically informal.
The style of a letter of application is typically informal.
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What type of information does a discursive essay typically include?
What type of information does a discursive essay typically include?
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In a narrative, the 'middle' often includes a problem and a _____ to the problem.
In a narrative, the 'middle' often includes a problem and a _____ to the problem.
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What type of lexis is commonly used in advertisements?
What type of lexis is commonly used in advertisements?
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It is essential for a report to have a conclusion and recommendations.
It is essential for a report to have a conclusion and recommendations.
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What is the primary purpose of a job application letter?
What is the primary purpose of a job application letter?
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In an essay, the _____ sentence introduces the main idea of a paragraph.
In an essay, the _____ sentence introduces the main idea of a paragraph.
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Match the genre with its key feature:
Match the genre with its key feature:
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What is a key characteristic of the style in a film review?
What is a key characteristic of the style in a film review?
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Context plays a minor role in language use.
Context plays a minor role in language use.
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Name one cohesive device that might be used in a report.
Name one cohesive device that might be used in a report.
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A _____ essay often requires factual presentation followed by the author’s opinion.
A _____ essay often requires factual presentation followed by the author’s opinion.
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Which feature is crucial in the layout of a letter of application?
Which feature is crucial in the layout of a letter of application?
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Which of the following is NOT a function of a text?
Which of the following is NOT a function of a text?
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Flowery language is commonly used in English for regulatory functions.
Flowery language is commonly used in English for regulatory functions.
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What aspect of discourse refers to leaving out unnecessary elements in a sentence?
What aspect of discourse refers to leaving out unnecessary elements in a sentence?
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In discourse analysis, '_____' refers to something not previously mentioned but is assumed knowledge by the speaker.
In discourse analysis, '_____' refers to something not previously mentioned but is assumed knowledge by the speaker.
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Which term describes the variation of language use based on social context?
Which term describes the variation of language use based on social context?
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Cataphoric reference refers backwards to a part of the text already mentioned.
Cataphoric reference refers backwards to a part of the text already mentioned.
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Define discourse markers.
Define discourse markers.
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The language chosen for specific functions in a text can lead to _____ utterances from learners.
The language chosen for specific functions in a text can lead to _____ utterances from learners.
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Match these terms with their correct definitions:
Match these terms with their correct definitions:
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Which example illustrates a regulatory function?
Which example illustrates a regulatory function?
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A speaker making a joke is performing the 'interacting' function of a text.
A speaker making a joke is performing the 'interacting' function of a text.
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In the sentence 'This is it!', the phrase 'it' is an example of _____ reference.
In the sentence 'This is it!', the phrase 'it' is an example of _____ reference.
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What is the purpose of using discourse markers in spoken language?
What is the purpose of using discourse markers in spoken language?
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Which of the following is an example of exophoric reference?
Which of the following is an example of exophoric reference?
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Study Notes
Discourse Analysis
- Discourse analysis evolved in the 1960s and 1970s, focusing on stretches of authentic language in context for real communication, unlike isolated sentences.
- It now includes cultural and contextual variations in language use and how environment/situations affect language interpretation/production.
- Discourse analysis studies whole texts (letters, conversations, reports) and the links between utterances/sentences in both spoken and written English.
- It examines how we organize conversations/texts, order information, make texts cohesive (e.g., using pronouns), and interact via conversational cues (e.g., speaking turns).
- It also considers how language varies according to speaker/writer, audience, and purpose.
Cohesive Devices
- Cohesive devices link parts of texts, enabling understanding of relationships within and outside the text.
- Four main categories are:
- Grammatical Cohesion (reference, substitution, ellipsis)
- Conjunctions (linking words/phrases)
- Lexical Cohesion (lexical sets/chains, repetition, register consistency)
- Parallelism (repetition of form/rhyme, creating links)
Grammatical Cohesion
-
Reference: Refers to something previously mentioned (anaphoric), about to be mentioned (cataphoric), or outside the dialogue (exophoric).
- Anaphoric: "I live in a large flat in Istanbul. It has two bedrooms." ("It" refers to "flat")
- Cataphoric: Uses "she" or "it" before naming the subject to build anticipation.
- Exophoric: "The Queen is expected to give a speech today." (Assumes shared knowledge of which Queen)
-
Substitution: Avoiding repetition by replacing a word/phrase with another one (determiners, adverbs).
- "I need a pen. Have you got one?" ("One" substitutes "pen")
-
Ellipsis: Shortening phrases by omitting unnecessary words.
- "Would you like a cup of tea?" "Yes, I would." (Omits "like a cup of tea")
Conjunctions
- Linking words/phrases that show logical relationships between sentences/paragraphs.
- Examples: "however," "firstly," "if," "for example."
Lexical Cohesion
- Lexical Sets/Chains: Using similar words to avoid repetition (partial synonyms).
- Repetition: Repeating key words to emphasize points.
- Consistency of Register: Maintaining a consistent level of formality/informality throughout a text.
Parallelism
- Repeating a grammatical or rhythmical pattern to create emphasis/create interest.
- "They are rich. They are famous. They are young. They are Hollywood's new stars."
Coherence
- Coherence makes a text meaningful/makes sense.
- It relies on shared context/expectations between writer and reader, including:
- Relationships within/between sentences (additive, causal, contrastive, temporal).
- Topic/comment structure (theme and rheme) (presenting new information).
- Text organization (overall subject).
- Schema and script (reader/writer shared background knowledge, expected sequence of events).
Written Genres
- Different genres have different characteristics (content, organization, style, grammar, lexis, layout).
- Examples include film reviews, letters of application, discursive essays, and reports.
- Key features vary based on genre (e.g., film reviews typically include plot descriptions, evaluations, and recommendations, letter of applications have a formal style) and should be understood to create effective written work.
Context in Language
- Language use is almost always contextualized.
- Context is essential for understanding meaning and purpose in written/spoken texts.
- Genre, style, register, function of the text affect the chosen language.
- The five common text functions are: referring, expressing feelings, regulating, interacting, and playing.
Terminology Review (Examples)
- Anaphoric Reference: Referring back to something previously mentioned.
- Ellipsis: Omitting parts of a sentence.
- Discourse Markers: Words/phrases in spoken language that signal direction changes.
- Register: The way language varies based on context.
- Cataphoric Reference: Referring forward to something later in the text.
- Genre: A category of text with specific features.
- Exophoric Reference: Referring to something outside the text (shared knowledge).
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Description
Explore the key concepts of discourse analysis, including its historical evolution and modern applications. This quiz covers aspects such as cohesive devices, organization of texts, and the impact of context on language interpretation. Test your understanding of both spoken and written English in various communicative contexts.