Unit 6

Question 1

Is writing a natural activity?

Answer 1

No, it has to be learned consciously and it involves a complex process of encoding and decoding systems of signs.

Question 2

2 differences between written and spoken language:

Answer 2

• Unlike it’s often the case in spoken language, writing lacks immediate feedback.
• As writing can be planned and revised, it tends to be more polished and contain more subordination.

Question 3

3 functions present in written texts according to Davies and Widdowson:

Answer 3

• Modal function: attitude of the writer to his message.
• Metalingual function: what the writer intends the terms he uses to mean.
• Contact function: maintaining contact and communication with the reader by keeping the channel open (letters).

Question 4

Text classification (according to topic)

Answer 4

• Narrative texts
• Descriptive texts
• Directive texts: to tell the reader what to do (traffic sign, instructions, recipe, etc.)
• Expository texts: expose info (textbooks, newspaper articles, etc.)
• Argumentative texts: influence the reader to some extent by taking a stance on an issue and attempting to defend it.

Question 5

What is textuality?

Answer 5

The way in which a system of signs (text) is encoded/decoded

Question 6

According to Beaugrande and Dressler, what are the seven standards of textuality?

Answer 6

1. Cohesion
2. Coherence
3. Intentionality (of the writer)
4. Acceptability: degree of a reader’s tolerance to texts which may not be completely coherent or cohesive.
5. Informativity: balance between info known by the reader and info new to them.
6. Situationality: the meaning of a text may be informed by where it is situated (ex. A street sign that reads SLOW CHILDREN AT PLAY).
7. Intertextuality: a reader’s response to a texts may be influence by prior exposure to other texts (references, parodies of other texts, allusions, etc.)

Question 7

What are the 4 macrorules of written texts?

Answer 7

• Deletion: unessential info can be deleted from the text to make it more manageable.
• Selection: of propositions according to whether they’re necessary for the interpretation of other propositions.
• Generalization: several propositions can be grouped together in just one that covers the meaning of them all.
• Construction: a proposition can be constructed based on a series of related propositions with a semantic relationship.

Question 8

What is the Plain English Campaign?

Answer 8

Independent organization seeking to simplify the written English used in official and public documents. They provide guidelines for writing in plain English.

Question 9

5 routines/formulas of written communication

Answer 9

1. Letters
2. Academic writing
3. Legal writing
4. Newspaper language and journalese
5. New technologies