LANGUAGE LEVELS
Discourse Structure:
Discourse structure is the way in which texts are organised
and sequenced.
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How does the text start?
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What is the sequence of sections in the middle?
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How does it finish?
Discourse means any form of language, whether it be written
or spoken.
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Structure
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Examples
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Non-sequenced lists
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Shopping list
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To-do list
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Sequenced lists
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Recipes
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Terms and conditions
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Instructions
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Logical arguments
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Persuasive articles
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Debates
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Problem/anxiety solution
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Adverts (establish a problem and provide a
solution)
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Desire fulfilment
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Advertisements (make us feel desire for a
product)
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Analysis and explanation
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School essays
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Narrative accounts
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News reports
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Short stories
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Spoken Discourse Structure:
When a speaker is talking for a long time, we can say that
they are narrating.
The sociolinguist, William Labov, developed
six narrative categories. He came up with this theory by interviewing different
people and analysing the way in which they spoke.
1) The abstract.
1) The abstract.
The indication that a
narrative is about to start, the speaker tries to gain attention.
2) The orientation.
The setting
of the scene; who? What? Where? When? Why?
3) The complicating
action.
Essentially
the main body, providing detail about the story.
4) The
resolution.
The final
events, giving the narrative closure.
5) The
evaluation.
Additions
to the basic story of the narrative. To highlight attitudes and opinions.
6) The coda.
A sign that
the whole narrative is complete.
The evaluation comes in two parts according to Labov:
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External – added by
the narrator at the time of recounting and is not usually part of the story.
For example, ‘now comes the good part’
- Internal – Occurs
within the complicating action.
1.
Intensifying – contributions via gestures,
dramatic sounds, etc.
2.
Explicative – Providing reasons for dramatic
events, e.g. Fred annoyed his mum because he was noisy.
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