Step 1: Choose one text to analyse for this assignment. You can choose a newspaper article, a magazine article, a section of a textbook, or a journal article. These texts can be printed versions or online, and should be a minimum of 600 words. Choose a text that has recognisable language features that may be interesting for you to analyse. The first paragraph of your paper should introduce the text, where it was sourced and your motivation for choosing it.
Step 2: Conduct an analysis of the text with regards to the language choices of the author. You can choose which language features to focus on – from traditional grammar or systemic functional grammar. For example, you can consider the adjectives, adverbs, nominalisation, active vs passive voice, etc. Depending on what you discover, you can focus on one or more language features. (You MUST attach the text you analysed with your annotated analysis as an Appendix – see examples on L@G site).
Step 3: Explain possible reasons for why the author chose these language features and for what purpose. Consider the genre of the text, the audience, the positioning of actors/events in the text, the author’s stance. It can also be useful to consider what is not being said. This section will require references (2-4 references) related to the language feature you are discussing (i.e. the purpose of that language feature). Use the references/citations to support your explanations and use examples from the analysed text to illustrate the explanations (refer to line numbers in the annotated text in the Appendix).
Note: Step 2 and 3 can be combined in your paper if you choose – i.e. describe and explain one language feature, then describe and explain another language feature, etc.
Step 4: a) Discuss the relevance of these types of activities in the TESOL classrooms. Consider the use of ‘authentic texts’, different genres and types of texts, the importance of students noticing language. You should include 1 or 2 references in this section.
b) Would the text you analysed for this assignment be useful in a TESOL classroom? Why/why not. How could it be used? How could it be modified?
Extra notes:
More information, examples and procedures for this assignment will be provided during the sessions on Discourse Analysis and this assignment.
You should start looking for a suitable text from the beginning of the trimester. Bring your chosen text to the assignment workshop session. You can also check with the lecturer if you are uncertain if the text is suitable.
You should use the references from the required and recommended readings in class. You can also find appropriate references on the Griffith library website. Make sure these references are from peer reviewed sources.
Avoid using too many direct quotes. The writing flows better and citations are integrated in your writing more smoothly if you paraphrase and synthesize. This also demonstrates your understanding of the writing in the references.
Academic style of writing is required for this assignment. References and in-text citations must follow APA 7th formatting.
Tips for Academic writing:
● Keep in mind the key idea/main argument in your paper, this should be the golden thread that is evident throughout the whole paper and ties all the writing together
● One main idea per paragraph.
● Don’t write long sentences – keep your writing concise. A maximum of two clauses per sentence (i.e. one conjunction only, two main verbs).
● Make sure the ideas are presented in a logical manner, that sentences and paragraphs flow well and that there is a clear link between them.
● Proofread your work before submitting – you can read it aloud, read through a printed version, etc.
