TEACHING WRITING IN EFL/ESL

Lecture 2

Joy Robbins

The Genre Approach

‘Genre analysis involves close reading and some observation by

  1. Collecting samples of a genre
  2. Finding out where, when, by whom, why, and how the genre is used
  3. Identifying rhetorical and linguistic patterns in the genre
  4. Determining what these patterns tell us about the people who use it and the scene in which it is used’ (Devitt et al 2004: 63)

Steps 1, 2

‘…the first step in doing genre analysis involves collecting samples of the genre.… The second step is to start collecting information about the genre’s situation and scene.…

  • Who uses the genre?
  • What is it about?
  • Where is the genre used?
  • When is it used?
  • Why it is used?’ (Devitt et al 2004: 64)

Steps 3, 4

‘[These steps] involve identifying a genre’s linguistic and rhetorical patterns and determining what these patterns reveal about the people who use it…, and the situation and scene in which it is used.…

To begin identifying the rhetorical and linguistic features of a genre, we need to read it closely, looking for any recurrent features that all samples of the genre share. In identifying recurrent features, it is best to move from the general to the specific:

  • Identify content
  • Identify the appeals to the audience
  • Identify the structure used
  • Identify the format used
  • Identify choice of sentence style and words

We begin by looking at the content, at the information that is typically included and excluded in the samples.

Then we look at the types of rhetorical appeals that are used. Rhetorical appeals are ways of trying to persuade an audience… [For instance, by appealing rationally or emotionally; or by persuading the reader that the writer should be believed]

…we look at the largest structural patterns (What are the various parts? How are they organized? In what order do they appear?) and then format (the layout of the sample texts, their appearance, length, etc.). Then we focus on the more specific linguistic features, on the syntax or sentence structure and the diction or word choices.’ (Devitt et al 2004: 65-6)

Reference

Devitt, A. et al (2004) Scenes of Writing: Strategies for Composing with Genres. New York: Pearson.

TEACHING WRITING IN EFL/ESL

Lecture 2

Joy Robbins

The Genre Approach: Genre Analysis

Now take a look at the example student emails and identify the rhetorical and linguistic patterns of the student email genre, i.e.

  • Identify content
  • Identify the appeals to the audience
  • Identify the structure used
  • Identify the format used
  • Identify choice of sentence style and words

Sample Email 1

Subject:Appointment outside office hours

Hi TEACHER,
I was wondering whether it would be possible to see you Monday before the Language Rights class concerning my MA dissertation. I wanted to see you today during your office hours but unfortunately it was quite busy and I can’t do Monday at 3pm.
Best,
STUDENT 1

Sample Email 2

Subject:Meeting request

Hello TEACHER,
I was wondering if I could come to you on Tuesday during your office hours? Will you be busy then? If so, could you please tell me when it'd be more convenient for you?

I'd just like to ask you a few questions about my assignment and dissertation, it shouldn't take more than 10-15 mins.
Best wishes,
STUDENT 2

Sample Email 3

Subject:Outline for LG### assignment

Hi TEACHER,

Please find attached a basic outline of my proposed assignment for LG###. As this topic is my own suggestion, I'm not sure I'm on the right track and would be most grateful for comments or suggestions.

Additionally, I understand from a previous time using my own topic that I need to write an assignment question to go on the first page. I put two possibilities at the top of the outline; please advise which one (if either) you'd like me to use.

Many thanks for your time and patience,

STUDENT 3

Sample Email 4

Subject:Article on Multilingualism in the EU

Dear TEACHER,
Thank you for the article you gave me. While trying to cite it I realised that neither Essex Library, the British Library nor Google could identify the source. Could you give me a hint where it was published?
So far I know the author: Anastasios-Fivos Christidis, and the title "Policies for Linguistic and Cultural Diversity in the European Union" but I am unable to get other info to cite it properly.
Thank you!
STUDENT 4

Sample Email 5

Subject:Meeting cancelation

Dear TEACHER,

Because I wasn't successful in completing analysing my data, I haven't designed my PowerPoint presentation of my topic. So, could we postpone our meeting till I finish with my data analysis?

I'm terribly sorry about this. Things seem more challenging and time-consumingthan I first thought of them.

Best

STUDENT 5

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