by Eileen Forestal, Ph.D.
Discourse Genres
 Discourse studies on genres: a least
developed area of study with more research
cropping up, including discourse genres in
ASL
 Relatively new in studies of discourse: no
satisfactory classification of genres or
discourse types
Discourse Genres
 The nature of how someone is talking
 The angle of where the person is coming
from
 Not a language feature; a discourse feature
 More of what language features go into the
discourse
 Narrative: Recounts a series of events
ordered more or less chronologically; use of
past tense and perfectives (the aspect of a verb
that expresses a completed action)
 Procedural: Gives instructions as to the
accomplishing of a task or achieving of an
object. A procedural text gives the steps
towards doing something. What are the ways
that each text uses to show moving from one
step to another?
 Hortatory or Persuasive: Attempts to
influence conduct of listener. Hortatory texts are
attempts to persuade audiences who have already
accepted certain ideas expressed in the text-sharing the same root as the word “exhort.” Use of
modal verbs
 The texts are sometimes grouped together as
“Expository” texts and so there may be many
more similarities between these genres than there
are differences.
 Explanatory: Seeks to provide information
required in particular circumstances. Use of
stative predicates (expressing a state or
condition). The texts are explanatory in that
they offer information without attempting to
persuade or alter the behavior of the audience.
 Argumentative: Attempts to prove
something to the listener. The texts are attempts
to persuade audiences to have a certain
perspective.
Callow, K. 1974 Discourse Considerations in Translating the Word of God
Hatch, E. 1992, Discourse and Language Education
Narrative: The most universal genre because
all cultures have storytelling traditions.
 Abstract (title of story)
 Orientation (time, place, and character identification)
 Goal
 Problem
 Steps to resolve the problem (a set of temporally ordered
clauses)
 Resolution (climax)
 Coda (including a possible moral; denotes any concluding
event, or summation,)
 Evaluation (various points throughout narrative and
summarized as a moral in the coda)
Example: Three Billy Goats Gruff
 Orientation: Once upon a time there were three
Billy Goats
 Goal: Who wanted to cross over the bridge to eat
the grass on the other side.
 Problem: But, under the bridge lived an ugly old
troll.
 Resolution: And so the three Billy Goats Gruff
crossed over the bridge and ate grass to their
hearts content.
 Coda: “Do you think the grass always looks
greener on the other side?”
Narratives...
 Analyzed in different languages & found
to be universal.
 Hard to understand & recall stories from
other cultures? Universal template.
 Some may emphasize different parts of
the template; others may omit parts
PROCEDURAL GENRE:
 shows how to achieve goals using ordered
steps.
Features Of Procedural Genre:
 1. Use of imperatives ( neutral actors and time aspects )
 2. Procedures are done in a certain temporal sequence
 3. Use of purpose clauses.
 4. Factual statements: there are no “neutral “ actors or time factors, as
well as little or no use of purpose clauses.
 Used in situations involving: instruction or
advice giving
 Vocabulary Uses: Within “purpose “ clauses
– ie. “in order to”, “so as”, “to”, “would be able to”,
“could”,
– it is indicated that there is a sub-goal that needs to be
achieved. These clauses help the audience to find the
solution.
 Discourse Used: “ Neutral “…. anyone can do it,
anytime; there is no specified person nor a specific
time (no tense markings)
Recipe:
EXAMPLE: Veal Chops recipe

“To make the salsa verde, put all the ingredients,
except the olive oil, in a blender or food processor and
process until they are chopped and blended. With the
motor running, add the oil through the top or feed tube and
quickly blend until thickened. Add pepper to taste.
Transfer to a bowl, cover and chill. Lightly brush the veal
chops with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper.
Place under a preheated broiler and cook for about 3
minutes.. Turn over, brush with more oil, and broil for a
further w minutes until cooked when tested with the tip of
a knife. Transfer the chops to individual plates and spoon
a little of the chilled salsa verde beside them. Garnish the
chops with fresh oregano or basil and serve with the
remaining salsa verde, passed separately.”
 Can you spot the purpose clauses in this example???
Argumentation
Supporting or weakening another statement or
argument.
There are 6 Patterns:
“Zig Zag”
“Problem/Refutation/Solution”
“One-Sided”
“Eclectic”
“One Side then the Other”
“Questioning”
Example:
“In its devastating decision to allow an uncontrolled
flood of corporate money into federal elections, the
Supreme Court tried to head off critics by endorsing
full disclosure of fat-cat donors. It is not enough.
But Congress can repair some of the damage by
passing the “Disclose” campaign finance reform.”
– Anonymous Editorial - The New York Times
Which type of argumentation is it?
Salient language features in ASL
Discourse Genres
 Salient language features are used in a
context/register/genre
 See handout
 Handout is a guide for analysis of SLF
utilized in the discourse genres
 A guide to enhance awareness of the
discourse genres and their use of SLF
Video samples of discourse genres
 Social Justice by MJ Bienvenu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVfyrJXYSQs
 Tips for Successful Interview
http://www.oicmovies.com/video.php?vid=794
 How to Make a Matzo Ball Soup
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF3o-UWGBjo
 Deaf Man's ASL Storytelling, "The Man in Berkeley"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIIUqKmuMd4
 ATM Safety: http://www.oicmovies.com/video.php?vid=656
 How does a Tornado Form?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I5qtDu16aE
 #Caption THIS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgSrZ-s3MTY
 Pros and Cons on Deaf Dorm Life and Day Students life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KEYYm4ROTQ
Discourse used in ASL and Deaf
Communities
 Sharing of Deaf experiences
– Deaf experiences are never separate
– Which genres?
 Socio-political Discourse
– Topics?