Genre analysis and Differences between Speech and Writing | Sintesi del corso di Lingua Inglese

Chapter 8

Genre analysis

In linguistics the term ‘genre’ is used to refer to a distinctive type of ‘text’ that is characterized by

a distinctive text structure, distinctive language features and distinctive social functions. The genre

can be:

 NARRATIVE: Describing a personal experience, event, person. For example, diary,

conversation, guest on a talk show.

 DESCRIPTIVE: Describing a current event that is happening or has happened. For example,

newspaper article, news on TV.

 INFORMATIVE: Describing a ceremony-event. For example, a brochure, student guide, tour

guide.

 EXPLANATORY: Describing a phenomenon or a process, a topic of study. For example TV

programs, a school or university textbook.

 PROCEDURAL: Describing the steps of a recipe or how to build something.

 EXPOSITORY: Giving an Opinion, only one side of the story as it happens in an essay or

court room lawyer defense.

 ARGUMENTATIVE: Describing both sides of the story both the negative and positive.

The genre is realized by a combination of three register variables called field, tenor and mode,

each reflecting the functions of language within the social context.

1. Field refers to the subject matter or topic.

2. Tenor - Tenor refers to the roles of the participants in an interaction. In short, it

investigates the degree and purpose of interactivity among the interlocutors.

3. Mode - Mode refers to the channel of communication and describes the code (language:

English, Korean, Spanish), and the means (channel of communication), which indicates

whether the communication is spoken or written, whether it presents graphics or images.

Differences between Speech and Writing

Writing has always been seen as the true form of language, instead the spoken word was not

studied until the 19th century. However, the status of the two mediums are equally important and

both at the service of the dissemination of human knowledge. Abundant research in the field has

provided insight into how the two forms differ but according to the scholars the focus should be

on how their distinctions have progressively turned into “mixed mediums”.

In the light of the above, it is still possible to sustain that spoken and written language are

different in reference to contexts of use in which they serve different purposes. Perhaps, the

greatest and most differences are in the comparison of formal written texts and very informal

conversation. Because it is permanent, writing provides opportunities for more careful

organization and more complex structures, while spoken language is often unplanned, but mostly

spontaneous and rapid.

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Chapter 8 Genre analysis

In linguistics the term ‘genre’ is used to refer to a distinctive type of ‘text’ that is characterized by a distinctive text structure, distinctive language features and distinctive social functions. The genre can be:  NARRATIVE : Describing a personal experience, event, person. For example, diary, conversation, guest on a talk show.  DESCRIPTIVE : Describing a current event that is happening or has happened. For example, newspaper article, news on TV.  INFORMATIVE: Describing a ceremony-event. For example, a brochure, student guide, tour guide.  EXPLANATORY: Describing a phenomenon or a process, a topic of study. For example TV programs, a school or university textbook.  PROCEDURAL: Describing the steps of a recipe or how to build something.  EXPOSITORY: Giving an Opinion, only one side of the story as it happens in an essay or court room lawyer defense.  ARGUMENTATIVE: Describing both sides of the story both the negative and positive. The genre is realized by a combination of three register variables called field, tenor and mode, each reflecting the functions of language within the social context.

Field refers to the subject matter or topic.
Tenor - Tenor refers to the roles of the participants in an interaction. In short, it investigates the degree and purpose of interactivity among the interlocutors.
Mode - Mode refers to the channel of communication and describes the code (language: English, Korean, Spanish), and the means (channel of communication), which indicates whether the communication is spoken or written, whether it presents graphics or images.

Differences between Speech and Writing

Writing has always been seen as the true form of language, instead the spoken word was not studied until the 19th century. However, the status of the two mediums are equally important and both at the service of the dissemination of human knowledge. Abundant research in the field has provided insight into how the two forms differ but according to the scholars the focus should be on how their distinctions have progressively turned into “mixed mediums”. In the light of the above, it is still possible to sustain that spoken and written language are different in reference to contexts of use in which they serve different purposes. Perhaps, the greatest and most differences are in the comparison of formal written texts and very informal conversation. Because it is permanent, writing provides opportunities for more careful organization and more complex structures, while spoken language is often unplanned, but mostly spontaneous and rapid.

ESP and EAP

ESP is the use of a particular variety of English in a specific context of use and justified by learners' needs. English for specific purposes (ESP) including Business English, Technical English, Scientific English, English for medical professionals, English for waiters, English for tourism, English for Art Purposes, etc. EAP, instead, have the objective is that of supplying necessary skills and knowledge to undertake study or work in the English language. EAP is also very often considered to be a branch or a variant of English for Specific Purposes (ESP.EAP courses are now part of university curricula all over the world as educational opportunities and job placement require everyone to have a good command of EAP skills.

Writing a Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Curriculum Vitae is a document in which you state your skills, abilities, qualifications and experience in a specific career area, usually prepared for job applications. There are many CV templates, but the most common one is the Europass document issued by the European Union. The Europass CV is a standard CV that can be completed in 26 different languages. There is another important document, and this is the European Qualifications Framework. The eight levels of EQF cover the entire span of qualifications from those achieved at the end of compulsory education to those awarded at the highest level of education. For writing a CV insert:  Personal details: name, address, date of birth telephone number and email.  Education and qualifications: insert type of degree and university.  Work experience  Interests and achievements: describe benefits gained from these interests and not simply a list.  Skills: mention the languages that you know, informatic competences or driving license.

Writing a CV Cover Letter

A CV is accompanied by a cover letter, that is an effective tool through which one can highlight the most relevant parts of the CV, but it is not a repetition of a CV, so it is important to keep the length of the covering letter no longer than one page.

Genre analysis and Differences between Speech and Writing, Sintesi del corso di Lingua Inglese

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Anteprima parziale del testo

Scarica Genre analysis and Differences between Speech and Writing e più Sintesi del corso in PDF di Lingua Inglese solo su Docsity!

Chapter 8

Genre analysis

Differences between Speech and Writing

ESP and EAP

Writing a Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Writing a CV Cover Letter