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Feature of discource - Coggle Diagram
Feature of discource
Ordering information
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The end-weight principle
- 'linght' sentences at the beginning (before the main verb)
'heavy' at the end (long complex clause often contain new information)
- The information principle is more important in text than the end-weight principle, so we can put
a heavy clause at the beginning if it contains familiar information linking it to the preceding text.
- A striking feature of the central areas of the capital are the elegant classical squares which were originally laid out by aristocratic developers in the eighteenth century.
- London has many public parks and squares which date from previous centuries. The elegant classical squares which were originally laid out by aristocratic developers in the eighteenth century are a striking feature of the central areas of the capital.
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Focus
- the most importain information is at the beginning and at the end.
- if we want to put focus on an item that doesn't naturally come at the beginning or end of the sentence, we have to manipulate the grammar to bring the item.
:pencil2: use fronting,
:pencil2: use clef sentence,
:pencil2: moving to the end fcus position.
- Jim invited Lucy to the nightclub.
- Lucy was the girl that Jim invited to the nightclub.
It was Lucy that Jim invited to the nightclub.
The girl that Jim invited to the nightclub was Lucy
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Contrast and emphasis
- we break the principles of word order to create effects of emphasis and contrast.
We often do this with:
:pencil2: adverbial expressions,
:pencil2: objects and complements,
:pencil2: that,
:pencil2: to infinitive phrases.
- The facade of the house was blank and austere. (But it was ornate and luxurious inside) - But inside it was ornate and luxurious.
I may be old), but I'm not stupid - Old I may be, but I'm not stupid.
Prescilla invariably rejected impoverished suitors. (her only ambition was to marry for money) to marry for money was her only ambitioun).
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Discourse devices
Linking expressions
- to express relationship btw what we are to say and what we have just said
:pencil2: additive linkers (giving extra information)
Furthermore.1
Similarly.1 (= in the same way).
In addition,
On top of this,
What's more.
:pencil2: adversative linkers (introducing information which contrasts with what has been mentioned previously)2
However,1
Neverthless,1 (=despite of this)
On the other hadn,
:pencil2: causal linkers (introducing the result of previous information)
Consequently,1
It follows from this,1
For this reason,
As a result,
So
:pencil2: temporal linkers (expressing a relationship of time or sequence wih the previous information)
Then,
After that,
An hour later,
Finally,
At last
Notes
1) we usually use these linkers in more formal English
2) These are often adverbs of contrast
- You can save yourself a full five per cent of interest with our new credit plan.
Furthermore, we are offering no repayments for a year to customers who sign up before the end of the month.
- Your counsel has made a convincing case in mitigation, Mr Belgrave. Neverthless, we feel that in a case of this gravity the only appropriate option is a custodial sentence.
- Your repayments are now three months in arrears. Consequesntly, we have no option but to withdraw credit facilities immediately.
- The troops trudged for weeks through the snowy wastes. Finally, as they were nearing the point of exhaustion, they saw the faint lights of the city on the horizon.
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Reference
- A key feature of continuous text and of conversation is the use of reference words which tie different sentences together by making cross references backwards and forwards in the text. We genrally do not repeat the same words.
- we prefare partial repetition.
- use a pronoun or replacement word which refers back to the earlier item.
- *we can also use pronouns or ther substitive words and in some cases we can omit the repeated information.
- Professor John Doherty gave the lecture this morning. (Professor John Doherty's theme was endorphin production in mammals.
- Doherty's theme was endorphin production in mammals.
- His/The lecturer's theme was endorphin production in mammals.
Parallelism
- a useful way of making a text cohesive is to use similar grammar in different sentences (the same tense or aspect, similar word order, repeating a particular grammatical form).
- we avoid sudden changes in grammar.
- to create a ramatic effect or make a strong contrast, we can repeat an unusual grammatical pattern.(In narrative and fiction)
- She is probably going to fail the exam. And she is probably going to blame her teacher.
Your world. To live and sleep in. To cook and eat in. To take a shower, watch TV or maybe do some work in.
- I can't wait to be lying on the sand. Swimming in the sea is great. To sunbathe is something I would love to do as well.) I can't wait to be lying on the sand, sunbathing and swimming in the sea.
- Rarely had I seen such a ramshackle boat. And never had I actually been expected to get on board one.
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Appropriate language
- the choise of vocabulary.
Most words are 'neutral' and we can use them in any situation.
But some words are only appropriate in formal or informal context
- the choise of grammar
some structures are more suitable for formal situation ( passives with get, sentences ending with prepositions, using verbs as nouns, it cheft sentences with when and where)
some structures are informal ( passives with gey, sentences ending with prepositions, using verbs as nouns, it cleft sentences with when and where.
- in written English we usually do not mix formal and informal language in the same text unless we want to create a comic or ironic effect.
- The show starts at nine o'clock. ( neutral)
The performance commences at nine o'clock. (formal)
The show kicks off at nine. ( informal)
- I'm afraid I can't come because I'm busy tonight. (neutral)
I regret that I am unable to attend due to a prior engagement. (formal)
Sorry I can't make it but I'm a bit tied up tonight. (informal)
- (The Minister was unable to attend the reception because he was a bit tird up - NOT CORRECT)
The Minister was unable to attend the reception due to a prior engagement.
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