Topic: Text as a Connected Discourse
Introduction
Connected
Discourse
Text
Reading
Writing
Types of Reading
Reading and writing are both important;
you can’t have one without the other.
Reading and writing in general only helps
absorb information, and enhance leisure
or school related writing tasks. It has also
made life itself so much easier because
reading and writing are so beneficial for
school and for life. How much you read
and write today, will somehow affect your
future job, family, position, or even your
salary.
A text can be defined as an object that can be read,
whether it is a work of literature, a lesson written on
the blackboard, or a street sign. It is a coherent set of
signs that transmits some kind of informative
message.
- In literary studies, text usually
refers to the written material. We use
the term text when we are
discussing novels, short stories, and
dramas. Even the content of a letter,
bill, poster or similar entities that
contain written material can be
called a text.
The term discourse has many meanings and
definitions. Discourse was first interpreted as
dialogue – an interaction between a speaker and
a listener. Thus, discourse referred to authentic
daily communications, mainly oral, included in the
wide communicative context.
TEXT
DISCOURSE
It is made up of sentences
It is the use of such sentences.
A text is made up of sentences
having the property of
grammatical cohesion
TEXT is defined in terms of its
being a physical product.
Meaning is not found in text
A discourse is made up of
utterances having the property of
coherence.
DISCOURSE is viewed as a
process. Meaning is derived
through the reader’s interaction
with the text.
Text becomes A connected
discourse when WE READ
AND WRITE!
Reading is the third of
the four language skills,
which are:
Listening, Speaking, Reading,
and Writing.
READING is a cognitive process of
decoding symbols to derive meaning
from a text. It is always an interaction
between the text and the reader. We
read to gain and share information
and ideas, whether for academic,
personal, or professional purposes.
Reading can be silent (in our
head) or oral/aloud (so that
other people can hear).
1. Reading is fundamental to functioning in
today's society.
2. Reading is a vital skill in finding a good
job.
3. it develops the mind.
4. It is how we discover new things.
5. Reading develops the imagination.
6. Reading develops the creative side of
people
7. Reading is fundamental in developing a
good self-image.
8. Good reading skills, especially in
a phonics reading program, improve
spelling.
9. Reading is important because
words - spoken and written - are the
building blocks of life.
1. Scanning
- This is looking over a text quickly to get
a specific piece of information.
2. Skimming
- Looking over the text quickly to get a general idea
of the content. Your eyesmove quite fast, taking in
titles of chapters, their beginnings and ends, and
the first sentences of paragraphs.
3. Sub-vocalization
- This is reading very slowly and methodically,
either saying the words out loud or at least with a
‘voice’ in your head. It is painstaking but very slow.
We tend to use it when trying out a recipe for the
first time, or carrying out instructions as to how to
assemble something we’ve bought.
4. Light Reading
This is reading fairly quickly without concentrating
too hard or worrying about every single word. We
often use it when reading an enjoyable novel.
5. Study Reading
Study reading involves thinking about what is being
read so that it is understood and can be recalled. It
needs to be worked at, with time for reflection,
thought, analysis, criticism, comparison, notes
made, points highlighted and emphasized,
arguments followed and evaluated, the whole
summarized.
"Writing" is the process of using
symbols (letters of the alphabet,
punctuation
and
spaces)
to
communicate thoughts and ideas in a
readable form.
Generally, we write using a
pen/pencil (handwriting) or a
keyboard (typing).
A writer may write for personal
enjoyment or use, or for an
audience of one person or more.
The audience may be known
(targeted) or unknown.
A writer may write for personal
enjoyment or use, or for an
audience of one person or more.
The audience may be known
(targeted) or unknown.
Taking notes for
study purposes is
an example of
writing for one's
self.
Blogging
publicly is an
example of
writing for an
unknown
audience.
A letter to a
friend is an
example of
writing for a
targeted
audience.
As
with
speaking, it is
important
to
consider
your
audience when
writing. There
are
many
different styles
of writing, from
informal
to
formal.
• Writing is the primary basis upon which
your work, your learning, and your
intellect will be judged—in college, in the
workplace, and in the community.
• Writing expresses who you are as a
person.
• Writing is portable and permanent. It
makes your thinking visible.
• Writing helps you move easily among
facts, inferences, and opinions without
getting confused—and without confusing
your reader.
• Writing promotes your ability to pose
worthwhile questions.
• Writing fosters your ability to explain a
complex position to readers, and to
yourself.
• Writing helps others give you feedback.
• Writing helps you refine your ideas when
you give others feedback.
• Writing requires that you anticipate your
readers’ needs. Your ability to do so
demonstrates your intellectual flexibility
and maturity.
• Writing ideas down preserves them so
that you can reflect upon them later.
• Writing out your ideas permits you to
evaluate the adequacy of your argument.
• Writing stimulates you to extend a line of
thought beyond your first impressions or
gut responses.
• Writing equips you with the
communication and thinking skills you
need to participate effectively in
democracy.
• Writing is an essential job skill.