UNIT 6

Question 1

Differences between oral and written communication.

Answer 1

1. In western societies, we follow more formal standards for out written than our spoken communication.
2. Spoken communication is almost entirely synchronous, taking place in real time, while written communication is almost entire asynchronous, occurring over longer periods of time.
3. Formal elements of written language rely much more heavily on linguistic aspects rather than on paralinguistic components, as it is the case in oral communication.

Question 2

What is happening with new technologies and speech and writing?

Answer 2

New technologies are changing many of the dynamics of speech and writing (voicemail/text messaging).

Question 3

Hatim and Mason…

Answer 3

… define “text type” as a conceptual framework which enables us to classify texts in terms of communicative intentions.

Question 4

Hatim and Mason adopted Wrlich´s typology which cassomprises five text types…

Answer 4

1. argumentation.
2. descriptiion.
3. exposition.
4. narration.
5. instruction.

Question 5

Argumentative texts…

Answer 5

1. .. figure prominently in current educational proposals.

2. .. their first and intrinsic purpose is to prove the truth of what is stated.

Question 6

There are five relevant structures to organise an argumentative text.

Answer 6

1. Deductive method.
2. Indutive approach.
3. Zig-zag pattern.
4. One-sided structure.
5. Eclectic pattern.

Question 7

Formal elements of an argumentative text.

Answer 7

In Toulmin´s model:

1. Claim.
2. Data (or grounds).
3. Warrant.
4. Backings.
5. Qualifiers.
6. Rebuttals.

Question 8

Descriptive texts…

Answer 8

1. Give the reader a mental image of an object, person, scene or emotional state.
2. It is necessary, and even expected, to convey vividness.

Question 9

Structure of a descriptive text.

Answer 9

1. Introduction.
2. Body.
3. Conclusion.

Question 10

Formal elements of descriptive texts. Description can make use of one or more of the following five elements…

Answer 10

1. Sensory details.
2. Figurative language.
3. Dominant impression.
4. Precise language.
5. Careful organisation.

Question 11

The purpose of an expository text is…

Answer 11

… to explain, clarify or inform.

Question 12

Expository texts usually follow one of these five formats:

Answer 12

1. Cause and effect.
2. Compare and contrast.
3. Problem and solution.
4. Definition.
5. Sequence.

Question 13

Formal elements of an expository text.

Answer 13

1. Visual features (external features).

2. Non-visual features (textual information).

Question 14

Narration is usually defined as…

Answer 14

… a recounting of events distant in time and space.

Question 15

Labov and Waletzky …

Answer 15

… argued that narratives have six components:

1. abstract (optional).
2. orientation.
3. complication (also known as conflict).
4. series of events.
5. resolution.
6. coda (optional).

Question 16

Formal elements of narratives.

Answer 16

1. The characters.
2. The plot.
3. The narrator.
4. The setting.
5. The theme.

Question 17

In their approach to text linguistics, de Beaugrande and Dressler (1981)…

Answer 17

… argue that a text, oral or printed, is a communicative occurrence that has to meet seven standards of textuality. If one of these rules is not satisfied then the text is said not to have fulfilled its communicative function.

Question 18

The seven standards of textuality.

Answer 18

1. cohesion.
2. coherence.
3. intentionality.
4. acceptability.
5. informativity.
6. situationality.
7. intertextuality.

Question 19

According to Saville-Troike…

Answer 19

… linguistic routines are fixed or relatively fixed utterances which must be considered as single units, because meaning cannot be derived from the consideration of any segment apart from the whole. They include what can be described as “ritual competence”…

Question 20

Ritual competence.

Answer 20

The knowledge of certain behaviour, linguistic and non-linguistic, that functions as the “social glue” of interaction. It establishes and maintains shared beliefs within a community.

Question 21

Probably, the most comprehensible taxonomy of formulaic language is Carlos Yorio´s classification. He distinguishes the following:

Answer 21

1. Situation formulas.
2. Stylistic formulas.
3. Ceremonial formulas.
4. Gambits.
5. Euphemisms.

Question 22

Bibliography.

Answer 22

+ de Beaugrande, R., and Dressler, W. (1981). Introduction to text linguistics. Longman.
+ Harmer, J. (2001). The practice of English language teaching. Longman.
+ Saville-Troike, M. (1989). The ethnography of communication. Blackwell.