Communication Studies - M1 T2 - Writing and Language PDF

# COMMUNICATION STUDIES | MODULE 1 ## GATHERING, ORGANISING, AND PROCESSING INFORMATION ### WRITING & LANGUAGE **Prepared by Whitney P. Eaton** ## WRITING, IN THEORY The primary goal of writing is always to convey a message. The purpose of the message is essential for all writing. Each **mode and...

# COMMUNICATION STUDIES | MODULE 1 ## GATHERING, ORGANISING, AND PROCESSING INFORMATION ### WRITING & LANGUAGE **Prepared by Whitney P. Eaton** ## WRITING, IN THEORY The primary goal of writing is always to convey a message. The purpose of the message is essential for all writing. Each **mode and genre** of writing has a specific purpose and distinct characteristics for each mode and its purpose. ## MODES OF WRITING * **LITERARY WRITING** - A mode of writing used in creative and imaginative works. The Literary Mode of Writing can be broken down further into Narrative and Descriptive. * **EXPOSITORY WRITING** - A mode of writing that is used to explain, describe, and give information. * **PERSUASIVE WRITING** - A mode of writing that is used to convince or persuade the audience/reader to adopt a particular point of view. ## LITERARY WRITING * **Narrative Writing** - Narrative writing tells a story and details a series of relevant and related details. Its purpose is to entertain and inform, while relaying a message. Narrative writing features action verbs, dialogue, narrative point(s)-of-view (first or third person narration), characters, adjectives, sense data, and various literary devices. Examples of Narrative writing include novels, biographies and autobiographies, short stories, novellas, etc. * **Descriptive Writing** - Description/Descriptive Writing provides sensuous details (relating to or affecting the senses) about people, places, things, times of day, feelings/emotions, experiences, etc. Their purpose is to identify and construct a picture, through words, in the reader/listener's mind of how something looks, sounds, feels, smells or tastes like. As such, this kind of writing relies heavily on adjectives and sense data. Examples of Descriptive writing include travel books, scene settings (for books or film scripts), catalogues, word portraits, etc. ## EXPOSITORY WRITING Expository Writing is used to make ideas and concepts clear, analyze situations or concepts, define terms, and to give instructions. Its purpose is to explain, to inform, and identify the subject of the message being communicated in a number of alternative and digestible ways. Expository pieces feature analysis, classification, definitions, cause and effect correlations, contrasts, analogies, citations or references (sources), and illustrations. Examples of Expository writing include textbooks, manuals, reports, reference books, etc. ## PERSUASIVE WRITING Persuasive Writing can be done in two ways: * **Psychological** - Using emotional/non-rational appeals to convince the audience. * **Argument** - Appealing to the audience’s reason and logic to convince. Overall, the purpose of persuasive writing is to convince the reader/audience of the writer's/speaker's argument, and/or cause them to take a series of actions in response to the writer's/speaker's argument. To achieve this, persuasive writing often features repetition, rhetorical questions, emotional appeals, evidence and facts, authoritative opinions, and counter-arguments (or refutations). Examples of Persuasive writing include advertisements, political speeches, religious sermons, etc. ## INTRODUCTION TO LANGUAGE * ( **MODULE 2 FOCUSES FURTHER ON LANGUAGE** ) Language is a medium of communication (see M1 Т1: Communication 101). Language is both the collection of **symbols and characters** (the alphabet, numbers, etc.) and the system through which those symbols and characters are used to create messages and allow communication amongst those who speak a shared language (people of the same "speech community"). Language consists of both written and vocal symbols, the nuances of which are specific to each ethnic, national and cultural group. ## CHARACTERISTICS OF LANGUAGE * **SYSTEMATIC** - Use of different systems (like sound and grammar) to communicate. * **SYMBOLIC** - Words used as representations or symbols of ideas, concepts, or objects. * **MATURATIONAL/EVOLUTIONARY** - Words change and mature over time, with the meaning and even parts of speech changing. * **NON-INSTINCTIVE** - Language is the outcome of evolution and convention, it must be learned. * **DYNAMIC** - Language comes in varied forms, with words and phrases changing meaning over time between generations across contexts, societal groups, and cultures. ## PURPOSES OF LANGUAGE * Persuading * Questioning * Directing/Instructing * Aesthetic Pleasure * Informing ## FUNCTIONS OF LANGUAGE * **EXPRESSIVE FUNCTION** - This allows for the expression of emotions, attitudes, and emotions. When used this way, there is often no intent to receive a response from the reader and, as such, the reader is often not considered. Examples include journals, diaries, personal blogs, and the Notes app. * **INFORMATIVE FUNCTION** - This use of language facilitates the relaying and conveying of information in clear, concise, and precise ways. Examples of Informative writing include textbooks and news broadcasts. * **COGNITIVE FUNCTION** - This speaks to the intention of the writer/speaker to affect their audience in some way, whether to entertain, persuade, or stir emotions. Examples of Cognitive writing include political speeches, religious sermons, jokes, horror stories, etc. * **POETIC FUNCTION** - The use of language focuses on structure, pattern, rhythm, and (sometimes) description. The focus is on how language can be creatively and imaginatively manipulated while still conveying meaning. * **METALINGUISTIC FUNCTION** - "Meta" is generally understood to refer to a state of self-awareness. So, "metalingual" refers to talking about the language itself - its features, word definitions, etc. Metalinguistic function means to comment on the language itself. This function is the use of language to discuss or describe itself. It focuses attention upon the code itself to clarify or negotiate it. This is the function of language about language. Example: critiquing an essay, literary analysis of novels. ## UNDERSTANDING LANGUAGE USE Understanding the basics of language use comes down to understanding Grammar, Mechanics, and Usage. * **GRAMMAR** - Grammar refers to the rules that govern how sentences are formed. Grammar refers to the set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in a language. * **KEY CONCEPTS** * **Sentence Structure**: Understanding subject-verb agreement, proper sentence construction (simple, compound, complex sentences). * **Verb Tense**: Consistency in past, present, and future tenses. * **MECHANICS** - Mechanics focuses on the rules of written language such as punctuation and capitalization. * **KEY CONCEPTS** * **Punctuation**: Correct usage of commas, semicolons, periods, and quotation marks correctly. * **Spelling and Capitalization**: Correct usage of common spelling patterns and capitalization rules. * **USAGE** - Usage refers to how words and expressions are used in different contexts. Idiomatic expressions, jargon, and slang are examples of context-dependent language use. * **IDIOMATIC EXPRESSIONS** - Phrases that have figurative meanings different from their literal meanings. Example: “Break the ice” means to start a conversation or break the tension. * **JARGON** - Specialized terms used in specific professions or social groups. Example: Bandwidth (the ability to handle multiple tasks in a tech-related context). * **SLANG** - Informal words or phrases used within specific groups, often in casual conversation. Example: "Cool" can mean yes, okay, or describe something good/interesting ## END OF TOPIC **NEXT TOPIC IN MODULE:** RESEARCH & DATA