Module 1: Text as a Connected Discourse

Question 1

What is Text?

Answer 1

A group of words, phrases, and sentences put together to convey an idea.

Question 2

Latin word of discourse and text

Answer 2

Latin discursus to mean “an argument.”

Medieval Latin textus (“text”),

Question 3

Properties of a well written work or text.

Answer 3

1.) Organization
2.) Coherence and Cohesion
3.) Language use
4.) Mechanics

Question 4

Organization

Answer 4

Logical arrangements of ideas in a text

Question 5

Outline

Answer 5

A framework that helps to achieve a logical sequence.

Question 6

Physical format

Answer 6

Format of the text

Question 7

Signal word

Answer 7

Ordering of events and concepts.

Question 8

Structure

Answer 8

Complete framework of the text

Question 9

Coherence

Answer 9

Overall oneness of ideas.

Question 10

Cohesion

Answer 10

Gramatical aspects of writing.

Question 11

Six main ways that Cohesion Is created in a text (Halliday and Hasan 1976)

Answer 11

Reference: The use of pronouns, demonstratives, and comparatives to refer back or forward to something in the text. For example, “She handed in the assignment. This was the most difficult piece of writing which she had completed.”
- Substitution: The use of words like one, do, or so to replace or avoid repeating a word or phrase. For example, “She knew it was not going to be just another essay, not an easy one at all.”
- Ellipsis: The omission of a word or phrase that can be inferred from the context. For example, “The completed work lay on the counter of the reception [and was] beautifully bound.”
- Lexical Chains: The use of words that are related in meaning, such as synonyms, antonyms, hyponyms, or collocations. For example, “The student sighed as she handed in the assignment, at last it was finished. This project, though not quite a dissertation, was still the longest piece of academic writing she had ever written.”
- Cohesive Nouns: The use of nouns that express an abstract concept or an identity that can organize and summarize the information in the text. For example, “This coherence, this clarity of expression, is created by grammar and vocabulary (lexis) through cohesion.”
- Conjunction: The use of words or phrases that signal the logical relation between clauses or sentences, such as addition, contrast, cause, or result. For example, “Her achievement made her elated, but had left her exhausted.”

Question 12

Substitution

Answer 12

Uses word / phrase to replace a word/phrase used earlier.

Question 13

Ellipses

Answer 13

omitting words because it is already understood in the context.

Question 14

Lexical chain

Answer 14

One word is related to another.

• Sequence of related words in writing.

Question 15

Cohesive nouns

Answer 15

a kind of lexical reference

can summarize many words.

⚫ can be used to signal what is to come or can refer back.

Question 16

Conjunction

Answer 16

are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses within a sentence. They are used to establish relationships between different parts of a sentence, indicating how ideas are connected.

Question 17

APPROPRIATE LANGAUGE USE:

Answer 17

• Acceptable style of language for a particular form of text.

• Determined when it is appropriate to use formal language or when informal language is acceptable.

Question 18

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE LANGUAGE

Answer 18

1. Use concrete words- specific words
2. Use concise word- short and simple
3. Use simple words not highfalutin- easy to understand.
4. Use precise and clear words- precise, exact, accurate,
5. Avoid sexiest language - Ex.: Spokesman (Spokesperson)
6. Use of constructive language- not rude.
7. Use of formal and Informal language.

Question 19

MECHANICS

Answer 19

It refers to the conventions of writing which includes capitalization, punctuation, spelling, numerals, abbreviations, acronyms, and contractions.