Module 04 Discourse and Genre Analysis

What’s inside: 1.Finding of discourse analysis 2.Finding of genre analysis

Discourse analysis vs. Genre analysis Discourse analysis is both the global (umbrella) term for text analysis and, at the applied level, an actual and specific method if analysis. Genre analysis is focused on the distinguishing features of different texts is especially useful in looking at both written and spoken texts in all areas of ESP.

1.Finding of discourse analysis There are 2 areas of particular interest to ESP in discourse analysis: 1.Certain text pattern that may be used at any time and in any text. 2.Turn-taking and topic change within dialogue.

The basic pattern consists of four parts: Situation Problem with that situation Response to that problem Evaluation of that problem

2.Finding of genre analysis Swales (1981,1991): there is a regular pattern of moves and steps that appear in a certain order in the majority of introductions investigated. A move is a unit that relates both to the writer’s purpose and to the content that s/he wishes to communicate. A step is a lower level text unit than the move that provides a detailed perspective on the options open to the writer in setting out the moves in the introduction

The Advantage of Genre based analysis It is able to relate textual findings to features of the discourse community within which the genre is produced.

The implications of these findings are: (+) the discourse analysis could clarify the text in which cross cultural differences led to difficulties of communication. (-) the discourse analysis which concerned with text fail to take sufficient account of the academic or business context in which communication takes place.

Module 05 Discourse and Genre Analysis

What’s inside: Techniques in discourse and genre analysis

The Findings of Genre Analysis (Swales, 1990:141) Move 1Establishing a Territory Step 1Claiming a centrality and/or Step 2Making topic Generalizations and/or Step 3Reviewing Items of Previous research

Move 2Establishing an Niche Step I ACounter-claiming or Step I BIndicating a Gap or Step I CQuestion Raising or Step I DContinuing a tradition

Move 3Occupying the Niche Step I AOutlining Purposes or Step I BAnnouncing Present research Step 2Announcing Principal findings Step 3Indicating research article structure

Dudley-Evans (1994) Move IInformation Move Move 2Statement of Result Move 3Finding Move 4(Un)expected Outcome Move 5Reference to previous research

Move 6Explanation Move 7Claim Move 8Limitation Move 9Recommendation

Swales (1990: 24-7) six defining characteristics of a discourse community. 1.A discourse community has a broadly agreed set of common public goals. 2.A discourse community has mechanisms of intercommunication among its members. 3.A discourse community uses its participatory mechanisms primarily to provide information and feedback.

4.A discourse community utilises and hence possesses one or more genres in the communicative furtherance of its aims. 5.In addition to owning genres, a discourse community has acquired some specific lexis 6.A discourse community has a threshold level of members with a suitable degree of relevant content and discoursal expertise.