Text and Discourse Analysis Quiz

Text and Connected Discourse

• Text is generally considered written material, especially longer pieces like books, letters, or newspapers.
• It's a collection of ideas put together to convey a point or central idea.
• Text consists of sentences.
• Cohesion is a key aspect of text.
• Examples of text include letters, emails, articles, stories, poems, speeches, and visual/multimedia elements (posters, videos).

What is Discourse?

• Discourse originates from the Latin word discursus, meaning conversation.
• Discourse encompasses argumentation, speech, and text.
• Discourse features unique qualities and purpose.
• Discourse is a formal, often lengthy discussion of a subject.
• Insights and concepts are presented in an organized and logical format.
• Discourse acts as an extended expression of thoughts and ideas.
• Discourse refers to how language is used to convey meanings, propel actions, and evoke specific reactions.
• Examples of discourse include journals, diaries, news articles, anecdotes, procedures, critiques, opinion pieces, and research articles.

Qualities of a Text

• Cohesion: Parts of the text are connected.
• Coherence: The overall text has a clear meaning.
• Intentionality: The writer's attitude and purpose are discernible.
• Acceptability: The text is recognized as valid.
• Informativity: The text presents new or anticipated information.
• Intertextuality: The text can be linked to prior discourse.

Constructing Logical Paragraphs

• Ideas within a text must be logically linked.
• Paragraphs should be logically divided.
• Start with a topic sentence.
• Supporting sentences discuss points sequentially.
• Use signal words/phrases to introduce new points.
• Supporting details like examples, numbers, and statistics enhance points.
• Conclude paragraphs with a concluding sentence.

Connectives for Listing Arguments

• Firstly: Used to present the first supporting argument.
• Secondly, furthermore, moreover, in addition: Used to present subsequent supportive arguments.
• Finally: Used for presenting the last supporting argument.
• Concluding connectives (e.g., in conclusion, in summary, thus) are used at the end of arguments.

Purpose of Discourse

• Inform: Provides facts, instructions, or directions.
• Persuade: Aims to change a reader's/listener's perspective or incite action.
• Entertain: Provides amusement or enjoyment.

Purpose Examples

• Purposes can relate to culture, social environment, or personal experiences.

Text vs. Discourse

• Text is made up of sentences with grammatical cohesion.
• Discourse comprises utterances with coherence.

Text as Connected Discourse

• A text is a connected discourse.
• All ideas within the text must connect to one main idea.
• The text should demonstrate unity through combining ideas to highlight the central theme.

Connected Discourse in Speech

• Spoken language is a continuous sequence.
• This is also called connected discourse.
• There are often differences in pronunciation between isolated words vs. those in connected speech.

Connected Discourse in Written Text

• Text exhibits distinct features and a defined purpose.
• Ideas are coherently arranged.

Types of Discourse

• Narrative (telling a story)
• Descriptive (creating sensory images)
• Persuasive (convincing readers to adopt a view)
• Argumentative (persuading using logical arguments and facts)
• Expository (providing information)

Narrative Writing

• Involves telling a story.
• Includes features like point of view, characters, setting, plot, conflict, and resolution.

Descriptive Writing

• Focuses on creating sensory images using descriptive wording.
• Effective writing helps the reader experience what's described

Persuasive Writing

• Aimed at convincing readers/listeners of a point.
• Techniques used often involve advertisements, argumentative writing, and political campaigns.

Argumentative Writing

• Similar to persuasive writing.
• However, the argument is structured logically and supported by facts.

Expository Writing

• Aims to deliver information about a topic, issue, method, or idea.
• Various methods can be employed, such as analogy, analysis, cause and effect, classification, comparison/contrast, definition, examples, and process analysis.

Identifying Discourse Types

• To identify the type, consider: The writer's purpose, the main idea, the language type, and organizational format.

Combinations of Discourse Types

• Often, a piece of writing combines multiple discourse types.
• One type usually dominates.