Type of texts How is each featured through the lens of textual linguistics.pdf

Textual linguistics provides a framework for analyzing how linguistic

1. Omar ELHAMDOUNI

2. OUTLINE:
•Food for thought
•Text types defined
•How is each featured through the lens of textual
linguistics?
•A beginner’s concern: how to recognize these types?
•The implications in ELT
•Text types in language teaching?
•Text types and the 4 skills

3. Food for thought:
1.‘Texts are not finished products but processes of interaction that
are never finalized." Stuart Hall
2.‘Every text is a product of a thousand other texts." Peter Greenaway
3.‘In the information age, the first step to sanity is filtering. Filter out
the news. Because the news media feeds us fear -they
sensationalize, exaggerate, or even invent stories to get our
attention." unknown

4. 1.Texts are constantly open to interpretation and reinterpretation,
and they can evolve over time as they are engaged with by different
audiences in different contexts.
2.It refers to the idea that texts are interconnected and influenced by
other texts that came before them.
3.It is essential to filter out biased or unreliable information, in
addition to recognizing the potential influence of language and
framing techniques used in news media on our perceptions and
attitudes.

5. Types
of texts
narrative
descriptive
argumentative
Explanatory

6. NARRATIVE, DESCRIPTIVE, ARGUMENTATIVE, EXPLANATORY?
•Narrativetexts tell a story and often involve characters, settings, and
a plot.
•Descriptivetexts aim to create vivid imagery by using sensory details
to describe a person, place, object, or event.
•Argumentativetexts present a central claim or thesis supported by
evidence and reasoning.
•Explanatorytexts aim to explain or inform the reader about a topic or
concept.

7. Type Characteristics
Narrative -Tells a story or recounts events
-Typically includes characters, setting, plot, and conflict
-Often structured chronologically
-Emphasis on engaging the reader emotionally or intellectually
Descriptive -Focuses on describing a person, place, object, or event in detail
-Appeals to the reader's senses through vivid language
-Utilizes imagery and figurative language to create a mental picture
-Provides rich sensory details to evoke a specific mood or atmosphere
Argumentative-Presents a claim or thesis statement and supports it with evidence and reasoning
-Seeks to persuade or convince the reader of a particular viewpoint or opinion
-Acknowledges counterarguments and addresses them to strengthen the overall argument
-Relies on logical reasoning, evidence, and persuasive techniques
Explanatory -Aims to explain a concept, process, or phenomenon in a clear and understandable manner
-Provides background information, definitions, and examples to enhance comprehension
-May use diagrams, charts, or other visual aids to clarify complex ideas
-Focuses on educating or informing the reader about a specific topic

8. How each is featured through the lens of
textual linguistics?
Textual linguistics provides a frameworkfor analyzing how linguistic
features are used strategically in different text types to achieve specific
communicative purposesand engage the reader effectively.

9. How each is featured through the lens of textual linguistics?
•Narrative:
•Structure: Narratives typically follow a chronological structure with a clear
beginning, middle, and end. Textual linguistics examines how linguistic
devices such as temporal markers, sequencing words (e.g., first, then, next),
and narrative techniques (e.g., foreshadowing, flashback) are used to organize
events and create coherence.
•Point of View: Textual linguistics considers the use of narrative perspective
(first-person, third-person ) and how it influences the reader's engagement
and understanding of the story.
•Dialogue and Direct Speech: Linguistic features such as dialogue tags, speech
acts, and direct speech are analyzed to understand how characters interact
and how dialogue contributes to character development and plot progression.

10. How each is featured through the lens of
textual linguistics?
•Descriptive:
•Sensory Language: This includes the use of vivid imagery, sensory details
(sight, sound, touch, taste, smell), and figurative language (metaphors,
similes) to create a rich and immersive description.
•Adjectives and Adverbs: Linguistic analysis focuses on the use of modifiers
such as adjectives and adverbs to enhance the description of people, places,
and objects.
•Spatial Organization: Descriptive texts often employ spatial organization to
describe physical spaces or scenes. Textual linguistics examines how spatial
relationships are conveyed through language, including the use of spatial
prepositions and spatial adverbs.

11. How each is featured through the lens of
textual linguistics?
•Argumentative:
•Thesis Statement: Textual linguistics looks at how the thesis statement or
central claim is articulated and positioned within the text, often at the
beginning or end of the introduction.
•Rhetorical Devices: Linguistic analysis considers the use of rhetorical devices
such as ethos, logos, and pathos to appeal to the audience's reason,
emotions, and credibility.
•Argument Structure: Textual linguistics examines the organization of
arguments, including the use of topic sentences, supporting evidence, logical
reasoning, and transitions between points.

12. How each is featured through the lens of
textual linguistics?
•Explanatory :
•Organization: Expository texts are often organized according to a logical
structure such as chronological order, cause and effect, comparison and
contrast, or problem and solution.
•Clarity and Precision: Text analysis focuses on the use of clear and precise
language to explain complex concepts or procedures. This includes the use
of definitions, explanations, examples, and analogies to facilitate
understanding.
•Information Packaging: Explanatory texts often employ strategies for
presenting information effectively, such as summarization, paraphrasing,
and repetition.

13. what are the implications of such knowledge in
ELT?
Integrating the study of text types into ELT curriculum and instruction
enhances students' language proficiency, cultural awareness, critical
thinking abilities, and communicative competence, preparing them to
navigate and participate effectively in a variety of language contexts
and genres.

14. TextType Implications in ELT
Narrative -Encourages creativity and imagination in writing activities
-Helps develop storytelling skills and narrative structure
-Provides opportunities for practicing past tense verbs and sequencing events
Descriptive -Enhances vocabulary acquisition by focusing on sensory details and descriptive language
-Facilitates the development of descriptive writing skills
-Encourages observation and attention to detail
Argumentative-Promotes critical thinking skills by analyzing and evaluating arguments
-Encourages students to express and defend their opinions
-Helps develop persuasive writing skills and logical reasoning
Explanatory -Supports comprehension of complex topics through clear explanations and examples
-Facilitates understanding of academic texts and technical language

15. How can a learner recognize each type?
Text type How to recognize it?
NARRATIVE Look for a story with characters, settings, and events.
Check for a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Identify narrative elements such as plot, conflict, and resolution.
Watch for storytelling language, such as "once upon a time," "suddenly," or "finally."
DESCRIPTIVE Notice detailed descriptions of people, places, objects, or events.
Look for sensory language that appeals to the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste,
touch).
Pay attention to adjectives and adverbs used to paint a vivid picture.
ARGUMENTATIVE Look for a clear central claim or thesis statement.
Identify supporting evidence, such as facts, statistics, examples, or expert opinions.
Notice language that aims to persuade or convince the reader.
EXPLANATORY Notice texts that aim to explain or inform about a topic.
Look for clear definitions, explanations, or instructions.
Identify logical organization, such as cause and effect, problem-solution, or comparison.

16. How are text types associated with the 4 skills?
Reading:
Text types provide learners with opportunities to develop reading
comprehension skills by exposing them to various genres and styles of
written communication.
By engaging with different text types such as narrative, description,
argument, and expository texts, learners improve their ability to
understand and interpret written language, identify main ideas, infer
meaning from context, and make connections between texts and
personal experiences.

17. How are text types associated with the 4 skills?
Writing:
Text types serve as models for writing instruction, guiding learners in
understanding genre conventions, structures, and language features.
Through analyzing and producing different text types, learners develop
writing skills such as organizing ideas, structuring paragraphs, using
cohesive devices, and adapting language for different purposes and
audiences.
Writing activities based on text types encourage learners to express
themselves creatively, persuasively, and informatively, fostering their
ability to communicate effectively in written form.

18. How are text types associated with the 4 skills?
Listening:
While text types are primarily associated with written communication, they
also inform listening comprehension skills by providing learners with
exposure to spoken language in various contexts and genres.
Listening to audio recordings, podcasts, interviews, speeches, and
conversations allows learners to practice understanding spoken language
features such as pronunciation, intonation, rhythm, and discourse markers.
By engaging with different text types orally, learners develop listening skills
such as identifying main ideas, extracting specific information, inferring
meaning from context, and recognizing speaker attitudes and perspectives.

19. How are text types associated with the 4 skills?
Speaking:
Text types contribute to the development of speaking skills by
providing learners with models for oral communication in different
contexts and situations.
Engaging in discussions, debates, presentations, role-plays, and
storytelling activities allows learners to practice expressing themselves
verbally, organizing their thoughts coherently, using appropriate
language registers, and adapting their speech to different audiences
and purposes.

20. Further reading:
•Manfred Gorlach,Text Types and the History of English,Series: Trends in
Linguistics, Publisher: De GruyterMouton,NY, 2004
•BrianPaltridge, “Genre, text type, and the language learning classroom”.
ELT Journal, Volume 50, Issue 3, July 1996, Pages 237–243.
•Andrew Dillon, Cliff McKnight, “Towards a classification of text types: a
repertory grid approach”, International Journal of Man-Machine
Studies,Volume33, Issue 6,1990,Pages 623-636.
•Lee, D. Y. W.. 2001, “Genres, registers, text types, domains and styles:
Clarifying the concepts and navigating a path through the BNC jungle”,
Language Learning and Technology, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 37-72.