Strategie inglese

TEXT TYPES AND COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES!

In his book, A Text Grammar of English (1976), Werlich classifies texts according to a

criterion termed ‘dominant contextual focus’. For our purposes, this notion can be briefly

summarised as follows:

Focus on factual phenomena in the spatial context > descriptive texts

Focus on factual/conceptual phenomena in the temporal context > narrative texts Focus

on observable future behaviour > instructive texts

Focus on the relations between concepts > argumentative texts

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Descriptive text types and communication strategies

The focus of descriptive texts is on factual phenomena (i.e. persons, objects, relations...).

Descriptive texts aim at providing a visual rendition of an object/person/phenomenon/

event/landscape etc... in words. As such, they may accompany other text types and be

embedded in documents of a different typology.

Descriptive texts mainly employ selective description of the item (de-composition),

followed by an outline of the properties of such decomposed features. In this respect, the

features described can be essential to the item or comparative (the item is described

through comparison with other items – in this, rhetorical figures are the main devices

employed).

Descriptive texts can be broadly distinguished into:

technical (objective): characteristically mention the essentials (often objective features)

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of

an object/phenomenon:

Leonardo da Vinci “Mona Lisa”, 1503-06

The most famous painting in the world is “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci. Mona Lisa

was painted by Leonardo da Vinci in Florence. The painting is called “Gioconda” as well

because Mona Lisa was married for Francesco Bartolomeo del Giocondo. The artwork was

created between 1503 and 1506 and was painted on wood. The size (L x W) of the painting

is: 53 x 77cm (20.87′′ x 30.31′′) and is exposed in the Louvre in Paris.

Impressionistic (subjective): present an object/person/phenomenon/event through

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personal (emotional, cultural ...) filters, which implies deliberate selection of what one

considers the most striking (interesting, pertinent ...) features of the above stated

Example 1: description of Italy

a. Boundless beaches of the finest sand, dream-like bays, sheer cliffs plunging into the sea,

rocks carved by the wind to form sculptures with surprising forms, townships proud to show

themselves in all their beauty to those arriving from the sea. The sea is the soundtrack to a

journey through Italy, accompanying all travelers with its intense landscapes, its strong

scent, its unexpected views, and the brilliant colors of its waters.

b. Over seven thousand kilometers of coastline frame this country that extends smoothly

into the Mediterranean. The itinerary offers enormous variety, from the step slopes of the

Ligurian Sea, to the pleasant beaches of Versilia, the villages clinging to the rocky Amalfi

Coast, the rugged countryside of Calabria, and the boundless sands of the Adriatic

coastline. Seven thousand kilometers dotted by a succession of welcoming ports,

charming cities steeped in history, unspoiled beaches and solitary inlets.

c. Not to mention the dozens of islands, from imposing Sicily and Sardinia to tiny Gorgona,

which emerge from the waters to add a touch of magic to Italy’s seas. Renowned islands

such as Capri, favoured by the international jet set, charming spots such as the Aeolian

islands, a Unesco world heritage site, or popular spots such as Elba, chosen by Napoleon as

his place of exile. Then there are solitary islands such as Ustica, lying right in the heart of the

Tyrrhenian Sea, or Pantelleria, Italy’s southernmost outpost in the Mediterranean. Under

the surface of the sea we found the getaway to another enchanted world.

The sequencing of descriptions serves different qualitative/quantitative purposes:

casual sequencing (no specific aim)

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logical, spatial, temporal sequencing (to provide guidelines for perception)

! accumulative sequencing (combined effect of different rhetorical devices to convey

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specific sensations, feelings, impressions)

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AIM > LINGUISTIC AND TEXTUAL STRUCTURE: !

Because descriptive texts aim to show rather than tell the reader what something/

someone is like, they rely on

precisely chosen vocabulary (specifically, adjectives/adverbs in impressionistic DTs);

! typical verb forms: mostly static and 'atemporal'; predicative structure (it IS a beautiful

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view)

deictics to provide 'setting' and orient readers/listeners

! sensory description - what is heard, seen, smelt, felt, tasted -, thus perceptive verb forms.

! figures of speech (similes, metaphors) to create images/pictures in the mind and

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provide

extension/variety

short sentences; coordination (parataxis) rather than subordination (hypotaxis); list-like

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structure

'general to particular' sequencing

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NARRATIVE TEXT TYPES AND COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES!

The focus is on factual and/or conceptual phenomena in the temporal context; aim at

catching and maintaining readers' attention.

May be accompanied by other text types (and direct speech acts), which are however

subordinate to narrative functions (e.g., narration may alternate with commentary or

descriptions).

Implies: events + protagonist/characters + time/space coordinates

AIM > TEXTUAL STRUCTURE

Language items are employed to describe events and circumstances, whether

chronologically (fabula) or not (plot).

Macrosequences: beginning, development (complication, resolution), conclusion.

'Flashbacks' (cataphora) and 'flashforwards' (anaphora) may be employed too.

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Example 1:

http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_st_john_success_is_a_continuous_journey.html

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Example 2 – (from NTs to ATs):

https://www.ted.com/talks/matt_cutts_try_something_new_for_30_days

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AIM > LINGUISTIC AND TEXTUAL STRUCTURE

Use of linkers and adverbs to sequence events

The whole range of tenses available fit the story described. Comparisons between then/

now

Use of time/space deictics

Paratextual items often accompany the body of the work, which is usually organised in

coherent paragraphs.

CONNOTATION SERVES THE AIM OF MARKING VIEWPOINT > Figures of speech to make

presentation more lively

> insider/outsider language

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Essential items - comparative items!

In one case you use essential, on the other approach you will follow and select following a

personal approach. !

Technical descriptive text - the date of composition, the author, where it belongs.!

There are cultural filters and then objectivity and reality. !

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These texts follow sequences, I select information and rearrange them. Sequences are important

in writing. !

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You need to adopt a specific outline for each document.!

Typical verb forms will be static if they are not describing any movement, just taking a picture. !

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If it is a social representation you do not need time, you use an atemporal present form.

Sometimes there are also predicative structures. !

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In ATs we expect more dynamic verbs, here we have a time dimension, we need an evolution of

the narration, time-related time forms.aspects will be considered key in the narration. !

We expect longer sentences since we need to articulate my though. There are at list two

possibilities of arrangement: one is personal, you can contrast element, known as Plot, and the

other is Fabula, sequencing is relevant, Fabula is chronological narration. You pick one or the other

depending on what we what to convey. Chronological is more logical, rational and easier to follow.

The Plot could be chosen to provide more variety, emphasizing the most striking and emotionally

events, there are different emphasis, different intensity is provided, it is more subjective. !

When I use Fabula we will have a list, one paragraph for each year, on the contrary if you use a

plot approach, you collect information and you match them, there would be one paragraph for

positive elements and another on with failure. !

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While Dts where related to space, NTs refers to time. There is. Dynamic line, a progression from

the beginning of the story, going through the chain of events, and then finally there is the

conclusion. !

This is one of the main differences. !

Fabula is chronological whereas plot is by theme. !

Rearranging is the main characteristics of plot representation. !

When you are following the Fabula you are more objective, on the other hand if you are following a

plot approach you will be more subjective since you are the one who select the best moments of

the story. !

Structure is how I develop my story. !

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Ted example - Fabula - he was working as a white collar. He passed from middle manager to

president. At this step he was successful and happy but he was not enough. It was the beginning

of his problems. He was unhappy but more than that he vS depressed. !

If everything would have been fine there would have been no development -> but stands for an

antithesis. From structures I can find figures of speech, from structure you pass on language. If my

structure is antithetical my story will represents different circumstances and phenomena, by using

but you will employ a list of antithesis that are functional to show the contraposition. !

Let's focus on figures of speech!

But then you get there - But then I stopped!

Antithesis is the most common figure of speech in the TED analysis. !

He uses symbols, colors as red and black, simple but effective to convey his narration. In this case

he uses simple symbols since he wants audience to pay attention to his speech. !

While discussing he uses a metonymical image to express his falling. They are functional to

interact, the narrator need to share, to age some interaction. !

Well marks the shift to the second part of the speech. !

I was feeling I had a black cloud over my head - metaphor!

It represent problems since a black cloud stands for problems, a cloud bring a storm. !

Outwardly very happy - Inwardly very depressed -> it is a double antithesis, there are two

contraposition, in and out, and happiness - sadness.!

Faster but just as depressed - antithesis !

From complication to revolution !

It didn't take long for business to drop like a rock - simile - plummet!

He uses irony - the men's with which I bond with my audience so the narration progresses

smoothly. !

But in the end - final stage of the speech !

The black cloud over my head disappeared all in one way - things started to be back to normality. !

Success is not one way strict - metaphor - not easy to realize following a precise route. !

Success is a continuos journey - trip is circular, a journey is longer and it takes me somewhere, in

this case it use continuous journey that stands for a challenge that never ends. !

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He used simple past - simple present - he has never used any fu