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Malcolm Benson’s article in the April 1994 Forum. - Coggle Diagram
Malcolm Benson’s article in the April 1994 Forum.
how a focus on the overall structure of the paper can help the reader and editor evaluate ideas and produce more readable articles.
serves to help the reader identify what kind of information can be found where. following certain discourse guidelines will not only make an article easier to read but will, in fact, raise the possi- bility that it will be published.
author needs
to ask a series of questions
What is the purpose of the article and what do potential readers already know about the topic?
help the author generate ideas for the article and discard elements which may not be useful (more questions are provided in
The introduction
where the writer needs to express in concrete terms who the intended audience really is.
writing for a worldwide audience, cannot assume similar condi- tions, background, and assumptions on the part of the reader
has to spell out the context s/he is referring to and make a conscious effort to link his/ her situation to those of a multitude of readers.
is achieve credibility vis-a-vis the reader, usually by indicating that s/he is in a position of authority to write on the subject.
to summarize for the read- er important developments on the topic by including a brief survey of the literature.
provides the reader with necessary background of important re- search to interpret the new ideas in the article.
the added advantage of providing useful sources for further reading.
establish early that s/he is treating a problem of gener- al interest shared by readers in many parts of the world.
Reviewing the literature, making generalizations, or em- phasizing the importance of the idea will highlight the knowledge and interest of the writer (“situate” the writ- er) and help ensure that the reader will be brought up to speed in terms of current developments in the field.
may wish to signal early what prob-
lem s/he intends to solve.
attempt to explain theories which have practical implications or pro- vide solutions to practical ideas which will work in most classrooms.
may wish to outline how s/he is go- ing to solve the problem.
announces in advance the technique s/he is going to describe or the manner in which a theory can be applied, in Swales’s words “occupying the niche.”
Swales’s move/step structure corresponds well with Hoey’s (1981) problem-solution text type
situation, problem, solution, and evalua- tion. The situation section indicates to the reader that the author is going to deal with important and generalized is- sues.
The introduction forecasts the solution, which will be proposed with a positive evaluation, which once again invites the reader to read on for specifics.
The Problem
the part of the paper where the writer shows that s/he shares readers’ concerns.
describe a local situation in sufficient detail to provide a context for the solution.
helps the reader identify with the context described to the extent that s/he may feel that the situation is actually very similar to his/her own.
helped orient the reader to the problem with the heading, the placement of problem and cause words in the beginning of the clauses, and the words of negation.
Solution
The first phrase beginning with “In spite of ” includes a cause word, factor, and a problem
word reduce (motivation) as a bridge to the earlier section, while the rest of the sentence includes positive words such as increase, self-confidence, and interest.
Conclusion
starts with the specific study or tech- nique described in the article and moves to the general.
to evaluate a technique positively, and then move on to a more general sit- uation.
Revising
one needs to see how the text looks to an uninitiated reader.
also give the article to a colleague who may have many comments or suggestions and may find points which are unclear.