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 It is made up of sentences DISCOURSE It is the use of such sentences. A text is made up of sentences having the A discourse is made up of utterances property of grammatical cohesion having the property of coherence. TEXT is defined in terms of its being a DISCOURSE is viewed as a process. physical product. Meaning is not found in Meaning is derived through the reader’s text 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 eyes move 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. 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 permanent. It makes thinking visible. and your • 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.
