developing academic literacy and grammatical accuracy through text deconstruction

Developing academic literacy and grammatical accuracy through text deconstructionCentre for English Language Communication WorkshopLaetitia MONBEC and Mark BROOKE

Developing academic literacy and grammatical accuracy through text deconstruction• SFL and genre-based pedagogy. Functional Grammar versus

traditional grammar• Text analysis: rationale• Text analysis for lower levels

oCommon academic features and the table of instantiationo Implementation over a semester-long course oObservations and link to accuracy worko Focus on Individual features: clause complex analysis and cohesion

• Text analysis for higher levelso Stance and authorial endorsementoCohesion in texts

SFL theory and pedagogy in the classroom

Professional learning programPlanning, implementing and evaluating the Reading to Learn strategies require high level skills in both classroom teaching and text analysis.

http://www.readingtolearn.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=22

Stage 2Deconstructing the text

Stage 3Joint construction

Stage 4 Independent construction of the textStage 1 Building the contextTexts

http://www.readingtolearn.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=22

Field: experiential meaning How the grammar conveys information about a topic -choices of nouns, verbs, adjectives and adverbs.

Tenor: interpersonal meaning How the grammar positions interactants, expresses interrelationships, attitudes, feelings – choices of mood, pronouns, modals, adjectives.

Mode: textual meaning How the grammar contributes to text organization. Choices of words starting sentences, pronouns and linking words.

TEXTS SIMULTANEOUSLY perform 3 meta-functions construing 3 types of meaning

Traditional Grammar Functional Grammar

Sentence focus Text & beyond focus

Bottom up: grammar syllabus organised by levels of language, from words to word groups to sentences to texts.

Top down

‘Experiential’ focus Trinocular description: experiential, interpersonal & textual

Rules/ ‘musts’/ right or wrong ‘Value’ of choices for meaning-making

Social context not important; sentences are things to manipulate; easy-to-teach structures are learnt one by one in isolation; errors are the main focus.

Grammar describes & explains how people use language with other people, so many structures used in valued TEXTS are learnt together.

Grammar has nothing to do with society or social justice (invisible pedagogy, Bernstein (1975)).

Grammatical analyses of texts show how meaning is made, including socially valued and socially unjust meanings (visible pedagogy, Bernstein (1975)).

Developing academic literacy and grammatical accuracy through text deconstruction

• SFL and genre-based pedagogy. Functional Grammar versus traditional grammar• Text analysis: rationale• Text analysis for lower levels



Rationale for Text Analysis 1) Recognition production

2) Students mine texts for specific features language is contextualised (≠ isolated, out of context language items)

“The crucial skills that language learners actually need are to recognise categories of language patterns at each level as they read texts … and to use these language patterns

flexibly in their writing.” Martin and Rose (2007)

Stage 2Deconstructing

the text

“From a linguistic perspective, the issue here is the instantiation of language systems in texts; that is, each text is an instance of the entire language system, and each language feature in a text is an instance of one of the options in the language system.” Martin and

Rose (2007)

Rationale for Text Analysis (ii)3) Modeling correct instances (≠ Grammar=rules rules are broken error-led syllabus)

“(Students’) attention will be on doing something intentionally with these features rather than avoiding

problems.” S. Bernhardt (1986)

Function Feature Example from the text

To express complex thoughts and their logical links.

1. Sentence structure (complex)Sentences including subordinate clauses(adverbial, relative, participle, noun clauses)

To refer to/comment on sources. 2. Reporting structures/verbsThe research report concludes [that + SV](Note the noun clause after the reporting verbAs Jones (2010) argues,…According to Zhang (2009), …

To show caution and tentativeness when presenting arguments.

3. Hedging/ModalityModals: may, might , couldAdverbs: perhaps, probablyQuantifiers: someVerbs: appear to + V/ seem to + V/ tend to + VOther expressions : x is likely to + V/ there’s a tendency for x to + V

To create a less personal or emotional tone.

4. Impersonal structures and the passive voiceIt is often believed that…There is growing evidence that …This result is often achieved …

To discuss abstract concepts in precise and economical ways.

5. Complex noun phrases (headnoun)Continued exposure to such chemicals can lead to reduced functioning of the auto-immune system

To create texts that flow logically and are easy for a reader to follow (coherence and cohesion)

6. Cohesive featuresLexical chains (synonyms and substitution words): Hong Kong the SAR The territory the city.Lexical sets (related words): computer components, printers, CPUs, memory chips, high tech equipment.General nouns (used to structure a text): problems, causes effect, impact, reasons, issue…Referencing (pronouns and other words)Shopping centres they such placesEllipsis (eliminating words) One solution is to..Another [x] is to…Linkers: however, as a result, although…

Text analysis for lower level learners: table of instantiation

Field

Field

Tenor

ModeOther influential readings, e.g. Hinkel (2004), Johns (1997), Collins & Hollo (2010), Bloor

and Bloor (1995), Eggins (2004)…

Students’ needs as new members of the academic

discourse community.

Implementation in an EAP course

Text analysis

Individual feature

Text analysis

Individual feature

• Consolidation: Alternating text analysis with focus on individual features

• Focus on interaction Activity is conducted in groups Whole class feedback with annotated text on screen

• Applied to both readings and students’ writing (good samples, self-evaluation and peer feedback)

EAP Semester

Activities using the tableReading: With a text already seen for comprehension.• Table on A3 tacked on walls. Groups complete analysis, then compare with other groups. Findings up on IVLE. Various interaction patterns and groupings possible.• Race: Put headings on boards, give a different coloured marker pen to each team. Sts go

to board to write an item under each category (can’t repeat an item already there). • Google Docs to complete as a race (?)• One text on w/b/data projector: teams responsible for one specific feature. Highlight

them in text/present findings.• One feature in depth over a whole text (especially useful for ‘cohesion’)Writing: students can conduct same activity for their own writing (useful for self and peer feedback)• with good student samples/model essays: What makes this a good academic essay?HW or IL activity: complete table for a given text (good way to revise)

Task• In groups, mine the text for the features listed in the instantiation

table. Write the example and the line number. After a few minutes, circulate to see what other groups have found.

(1) As Isenberg and Jalongo (1993) point out, early childhood teachers have as great a responsibility to foster the creative development of young children as they do to foster their physical, social and emotional well-being. This perception reinforces that of Wright (1991), whose studies unambiguously favour a move away from the concept of a ‘natural unfolding’ or non-interventionist approach to creative development in early childhood, towards a ‘guided learning’ approach where the carer or teacher actively facilitates this development through (5) every aspect of the early childhood institutional setting. There can be no doubt that such an approach has far-reaching implications for teachers and carers.

Firstly, as Isenberg and Jalongo clearly demonstrate (1993, p.255), the physical environment around children has a powerful influence on the quality of learning experiences generally. The findings from their studies consistently suggest that specifics such as colour schemes, floor surfaces and ceiling heights should be imaginatively used to create intimate or open spaces. Greenman’s research (1988, p.107) proposes that (10)strategies varying natural and reflected light are beneficial in sensitising children to the aesthetics of their environment – a view which is strongly supported by Feeney, Christianson and Moravick (1991), who studied models of lighting suitable to a enjoyment of a variety of creative experiences including drama, music movement and visual art. The safe and effective division of large open areas into smaller, cosier and more functional spaces, using dividers or furniture arrangements, has also been shown to be advantageous to children’s appreciation of their environment (Greenman 1988, p.111).

(15) Secondly, extensive research into time management confirms that young children require long, uninterrupted periods of time to fully explore the possibilities of the arts media (Feeney, Christianson and Moravick, p.292). Although it is generally accepted that exposure to a variety of play activities significantly develops children’s overall skill pool, Greenman ‘s 1988 studies provide strong evidence that too much of this can ‘deprive children…of the security that comes with predictable routines’ (p.84)…

Although it might be argued that much of the above is already entrenched in ‘good practice’ childcare centres, recent evidence would appear (20) to support findings to the contrary (Jackson 2001, Martins 2000). These studies suggest that a high degree of attachment to the previous ‘laissez-faire’ approach to young children’s creative development remains amongst early childhood educators…and they recommend extensive changes to teacher and carer training.

Observations • A lot of interaction (around language)• A challenging activity where students’ contributions are valued• Collaboration between teacher and students• Building a shared metalanguage and shared knowledge => useful

throughout semester (with new texts, in consultation, in peer feedback…)• Empowering students with noticing habit/ Confidence and

independence building

Link with accuracy work• Analytical work provides a framework that helps talk about and

explain errors.• It also raises students’ awareness of their own errors and encourages

them to notice where their weaknesses are.Feature Common error (CELC)Clause complex Sentence structure errors, clauses, run-on,

fragments, dangling modifiers and participles

Cohesion Pronoun referenceVerb tenses

Noun phrases Subject verb agreement (with headnoun)Determiners/Articles

Clause complex: the grammar of logical meaningComplex sentences to express subtle meanings (Anderson & Davidson,

1988)Difficult to articulate a whole assignment using only simple or compound

sentences. (Hinkel, 2004; Hamp-Lyons, 1991b)Being able to analyse clause complex is useful to understand the

“structural resources to construe logical connections” (Eggins, 2004, p.256)

Sentence analysis/diagramming Flat tree analysis simplified (Collins and Hollo, 2010)

Instructions:1) Highlight the main verb2) Find the subject group3) Identify any other clauses

Firstly, as Isenberg and Jalongo clearly demonstrate, the physical environment around children has a powerful influence on the quality of learning experiences generally.

( )

Brief description of the main subordinate clauses used in Academic English:-Adverbial clauses (although…)-Relative clauses (which, that, who…)-Noun clauses (‘that’ after reporting verbs)-Participle clauses (ing/ed)

Instructions:1) Highlight the main verb2) Find the subject group3) Identify any other clauses

Although it might be argued that much of the above is already entrenched in ‘good practice’ childcare centres, recent evidence would appear to support findings to the contrary.

( )

[ ]

Comments and observations• Student feedback is positive• Students 'sentences become more complex• Giving a sense of confidence to students: ‘behind-the-scene’ view• Building a metalanguage to use in class

• Choose your sentences well• Focus is on analyzing the choices writers make, not on right answer.• Focus on what you can recognise, not the parts you cannot analyse.

Focus on text cohesionCohesion in English (Halliday and Hasan: 1976) .

Lexical chains :the various ways the same ‘item’ is mentioned in the text (noun, synonym, pronoun, substitution…)

Hong Kong the SAR the territory the city

Lexical sets (related words):Synonyms, antonyms; hypernyms; meronyms (part-whole)

computer components, printers, CPUs, memory chips, high tech equipment.

General nouns are used to structure a text. problems, causes effect, impact, reasons, issue…

Substitution (one/ ones, some, any, do/did) Marketing experts found more problems with the survey than respondent did.

Referencing (pronouns and other words) Anaphoric, cataphoric, exophoric

The, he, we, it, this & that, these & those

Ellipsis (eliminating words) One solution is to..Another [x] is to…

Linkers: Adjuncts and conjunctions signal textual relations. Additive/Causal/Consequential/Temporal/ Adversative

Also, and, furthermore/but, however, yet, though, although/because, so therefore/while, then, next, until, when…

General nouns• Also called summarizing nouns, shell nouns..• Ex: (this) reason, (these) issues, ..factors, evidence, purpose, situation,

problems, arguments, consequence, discussion, value, version, proposal, examples, questions, ideas, opinion, cause, effect choice, claim…• Help structure a text and guide the reader.Announce something that will follow in the text: ‘Many factors affect

how a person measures…”Refer back to a more detailed idea/phrase that came before: That

process took most of the year to complete.

• (1) FROM Toronto to Wroclaw, London to Rome, pupils and teachers have been returning to the classroom after their summer break. But this September schools themselves are caught up in a global battle of ideas. In many countries education is at the forefront of political debate, and reformers desperate to improve their national performance are drawing examples of good practice from all over the world.

• Abstract of revolution in our Schools from The Economist Newspaper Limited, London 917/09/2011). The whole text is available at: http://www.economist.com/node/21529014

Sends to part 2 of the text (after par. 9)

Tells the reader about the content of the text. Send to paragraph 4-9

1) Guided analysisIn paragraph 1, find:

A lexical set2 lexical chainsGeneral nouns

http://www.economist.com/node/21529014

• (4) Above all, though, there has been a change in the quality of the debate. In particular, what might be called “the three great excuses” for bad schools have receded in importance. Teachers’ unions have long maintained that failures in Western education could be blamed on skimpy government spending, social class and cultures that did not value education. All these make a difference, but they do not determine outcomes by themselves.

Factors/the 3 bad excuses

Paragraph 5

Paragraph 6

Paragraph 8

The idea that good schooling is about spending money…

Many insist, though, that social class makes a difference…

Culture is certainly a factor.

In paragraph 4, find:2 general nouns. What do they refer to/prepare the reader for?An ellipsis towards the end of the paragraph. What’s missing?A pronoun reference (end of paragraph)

Activities for higher level learners

Stance (authorial endorsement): interpersonal meaning

Coherence: textual meaning

Function Feature Example from the text

To express complex thoughts and their logical links.

1. Sentence structure (complex)Sentences including subordinate clauses(adverbial, relative, participle, noun clauses)

To refer to/comment on sources. 2. Reporting structures/verbsThe research report concludes [that + SV](Note the noun clause after the reporting verbAs Jones (2010) argues,…According to Zhang (2009), …

To show caution and tentativeness when presenting arguments.

3. Hedging/ModalityModals: may, might , couldAdverbs: perhaps, probablyQuantifiers: someVerbs: appear to + V/ seem to + V/ tend to + VOther expressions : x is likely to + V/ there’s a tendency for x to + V

To create a less personal or emotional tone.

4. Impersonal structures and the passive voiceIt is often believed that…There is growing evidence that …This result is often achieved …

To discuss abstract concepts in precise and economical ways.

5. Complex noun phrases (headnoun)Continued exposure to such chemicals can lead to reduced functioning of the auto-immune system

To create texts that flow logically and are easy for a reader to follow (coherence and cohesion)

6. Cohesive featuresLexical chains (synonyms and substitution words): Hong Kong the SAR The territory the city.Lexical sets (related words): computer components, printers, CPUs, memory chips, high tech equipment.General nouns (used to structure a text): problems, causes effect, impact, reasons, issue…Referencing (pronouns and other words)Shopping centres they such placesEllipsis (eliminating words) One solution is to..Another [x] is to…Linkers: however, as a result, although…

Authorial endorsement & Disendorsement

• Feeney, Christianson and Moravick’s (1991) extensive research into time management confirms that young children require long, uninterrupted periods of time to fully explore the possibilities of the arts media.

• Savulescu (2004) claims that controlled use of performance enhancing drugs should be permitted.

Strong alignment/ endorsement with propositions

Strong distance from propositions

Coakley’s (2010) views on positive deviance in sport convincingly substantiate earlier studies from Durkheim and Merton.

Strong endorsement

Moderate endorsement

Some endorsement

No or little endorsement:

His research goes some way to supporting the evidence provided by Beal (2004).

While his research tends to provide some support to previous studies (Coakley, 2010), this view is open to challenge (Anderson, 2010).

His research does not substantiate earlier studies on performance enhancement in sport.

Authorial Endorsement

This is clearly espoused by…

Authorial endorsement Strong alignment/ endorsement with propositions

Validate, claim, purport, contend, allege

Although Coakley claims that… ,While his argument is effective,

Likelihood, prospect, potential, conjecture

Convincing, attainable, plausible

(It is probably true / likely/ that Coakley’s claims are debatable. ...)

Adjectives

Nouns

Concessive clauses

Passive constructions

Evaluative verbs

Adverbs

(1) As Isenberg and Jalongo (1993) point out, early childhood teachers have as great a responsibility to foster the creative development of young children as they do to foster their physical, social and emotional well-being. This perception reinforces that of Wright (1991), whose studies unambiguously favour a move away from the concept of a ‘natural unfolding’ or non-interventionist approach to creative development in early childhood, towards a ‘guided learning’ approach where the carer or teacher actively facilitates this development through every aspect (5) of the early childhood institutional setting. There can be no doubt that such an approach has far-reaching implications for teachers and carers.

Firstly, as Isenberg and Jalongo clearly demonstrate (1993, p.255), the physical environment around children has a powerful influence on the quality of learning experiences generally. The findings from their studies consistently suggest that specifics such as colour schemes, floor surfaces and ceiling heights should be imaginatively used to create intimate or open spaces. Greenman’s research (1988, p.107) proposes that (10)strategies varying natural and reflected light are beneficial in sensitising children to the aesthetics of their environment – a view which is strongly supported by Feeney, Christianson and Moravick (1991), who studied models of lighting suitable to a enjoyment of a variety of creative experiences including drama, music movement and visual art. The safe and effective division of large open areas into smaller, cosier and more functional spaces, using dividers or furniture arrangements, has also been shown to be advantageous to children’s appreciation of their environment (Greenman 1988, p.111).

(15) Secondly, extensive research into time management confirms that young children require long, uninterrupted periods of time to fully explore the possibilities of the arts media (Feeney, Christianson and Moravick, p.292). Although it is generally accepted that exposure to a variety of play activities significantly develops children’s overall skill pool, Greenman ‘s 1988 studies provide strong evidence that too much of this can ‘deprive children…of the security that comes with predictable routines’ (p.84)…

Although it might be argued that much of the above is already entrenched in ‘good practice’ childcare centres, recent evidence would appear (20) to support findings to the contrary (Jackson 2001, Martins 2000). These studies suggest that a high degree of attachment to the previous ‘laissez-faire’ approach to young children’s creative development remains amongst early childhood educators…and they recommend extensive changes to teacher and carer training.

Evaluative verbs (validate, claim, purport, contend, allege)

Adverbs (It is probably true that Coakley’s claims are debatable. ...)

Passive constructions: (is clearly supported by).

Adjectives (possible, probable). Nouns (likelihood, possibility, potential).

Concessive clauses (although, while).

• (1) As Isenberg and Jalongo (1993) point out, early childhood teachers have as great a responsibility to foster the creative development of young children as they do to foster their physical, social and emotional well-being. This perception reinforces that of Wright (1991), whose studies unambiguously favour a move away from the concept of a ‘natural unfolding’ or non-interventionist approach to creative development in early childhood, towards a ‘guided learning’ approach where the carer or teacher actively facilitates this development through every aspect (5) of the early childhood institutional setting. There can be no doubt that such an approach has far-reaching implications for teachers and carers.

• Firstly, as Isenberg and Jalongo clearly demonstrate (1993, p.255), the physical environment around children has a powerful influence on the quality of learning experiences generally. The findings from their studies consistently suggest that specifics such as colour schemes, floor surfaces and ceiling heights should be imaginatively used to create intimate or open spaces. Greenman’s research (1988, p.107) proposes that (10)strategies varying natural and reflected light are beneficial in sensitising children to the aesthetics of their environment – a view which is strongly supported by Feeney, Christianson and Moravick (1991), who studied models of lighting suitable to a enjoyment of a variety of creative experiences including drama, music movement and visual art. The safe and effective division of large open areas into smaller, cosier and more functional spaces, using dividers or furniture arrangements, has also been shown to be advantageous to children’s appreciation of their environment (Greenman 1988, p.111).

• (15) Secondly, extensive research into time management confirms that young children require long, uninterrupted periods of time to fully explore the possibilities of the arts media (Feeney, Christianson and Moravick, p.292). Although it is generally accepted that exposure to a variety of play activities significantly develops children’s overall skill pool, Greenman ‘s 1988 studies provide strong evidence that too much of this can ‘deprive children…of the security that comes with predictable routines’ (p.84)…

• Although it might be argued that much of the above is already entrenched in ‘good practice’ childcare centres, recent evidence would appear (20) to support findings to the contrary (Jackson 2001, Martins 2000). These studies suggest that a high degree of attachment to the previous ‘laissez-faire’ approach to young children’s creative development remains amongst early childhood educators…and they recommend extensive changes to teacher and carer training.

CONTRACTION Characteristics

DISCLAIM DENY

COUNTER

PROCLAIM

CONCUR

PRONOUNCE

ENDORSEMENT

Heteroglossia

EXPANSION

ENTERTAINING

ACKNOWLEDGING

DISTANCING

Intertextuality

Heteroglossia Neutral: X statesIndicated: X clearly demonstrates

Source type

Personalization Institutional: WHO holds that…Impersonal: The study of East Germans demonstrates

Identification A prominent researcherJones (2010)…

Specification Specific: The athletes who have tested positive…Generic: Athletes who test positive…

Grouping Aggregation: 40 % of athletes said that they had taken PEDsCollective: Athletes state that Association: Both WADA and the IOC have sworn to eradicate PEDs from sport.

Textual integrationInserted: X stated that “the dominant mode of sport was based on a power and performance model”.Assimilated: X stated that violent struggle rather than well-being was often portrayed as the hegemonic force in elite sports.

Endorsement

Disendorsement X claims

THEME/ topic

• The ‘launch pad’ (Thornbury, 2005: 38).• Start of the discourse =

the ‘point of departure’ (Halliday, 1985: 38).

Theme is the ‘peg on which the message is hung.’ (Halliday, 1985; 38)

• What is considered ‘newsworthy’ (Halliday, 1985: 38) about the topic.

• Rheme is very important in that it tends to carry the most salient information in the clause.

• In English, there is a tendency to put new information in the latter part of the clause. This is called: ‘End-weight’ (Thornbury, 2005: 39).

• The ancient Egyptians buried their pharaohs in tombs called pyramids.

RHEME/ commentCoherence

My friend, John He is a farmer. He told me that being a farmer is a good job. It means a lot of

hard work but it is very rewarding. He told me he likes sea fishing. He gave me two main reasons. The first is the excitement of the hunt. The second is the delicious fish.

He is a farmer.

He told me that being a farmer is a good job.

It means a lot of hard work

but it is very rewarding

He told me he likes sea fishing. He gave me two main reasons.

The first is the excitement of the hunt.

The second is the delicious fish.

• Firstly, as Isenberg and Jalongo clearly demonstrate (1993, p.255), the physical environment around children (theme 1) has a powerful influence on the quality of learning experiences generally (rheme 1). The findings from their studies consistently suggest that specifics such as colour schemes, floor surfaces and ceiling heights (theme 2) should be imaginatively used to create intimate or open spaces (rheme 2). Greenman’s research (1988, p.107) proposes that strategies varying natural and reflected light (….) are beneficial in sensitising children to the aesthetics of their environment – a view which is strongly supported by Feeney, Christianson and Moravick (1991), who studied models of lighting suitable to an enjoyment of a variety of creative experiences including drama, music movement and visual art (….). The safe and effective division of large open areas into smaller, cosier and more functional spaces, using dividers or furniture arrangements (….), has also been shown to be advantageous to children’s appreciation of their environment (…) (Greenman 1988, p.111).

Thematic progression

Theme 1 + Rheme 1

Theme 2 (Theme 1) + Rheme 2

Theme and thematic progression

Theme 1

Theme 2

Theme 3

Theme 4

Rheme 1

Split rheme

Rheme 3

Rheme 4Adding a theme and rheme and sum up is required.

Rheme 3 & 4 are linked (unusual in English).

is not clearly signposted asopen spaces proposition

not signposted clearly

Rheme 4 is used to (dubiously) refer back to Theme 1 to round up (environment).

• Firstly, as Isenberg and Jalongo clearly demonstrate (1993, p.255), the physical environment around children (theme 1) has a powerful influence on the quality of learning experiences generally (rheme 1). The findings from their studies consistently suggest that specifics such as colour schemes, floor surfaces and ceiling heights (theme 2) should be imaginatively used to create intimate or open spaces (rheme 2). Greenman’s research (1988, p.107) proposes that strategies varying natural and reflected light (….) are beneficial in sensitising children to the aesthetics of their environment – a view which is strongly supported by Feeney, Christianson and Moravick (1991), who studied models of lighting suitable to an enjoyment of a variety of creative experiences including drama, music movement and visual art (….). The safe and effective division of large open areas into smaller, cosier and more functional spaces, using dividers or furniture arrangements (….), has also been shown to be advantageous to children’s appreciation of their environment (…) (Greenman 1988, p.111).

Firstly, as Isenberg and Jalongo clearly demonstrate (1993, p.255), the physical environment around children (theme 1) has a powerful influence on the quality of learning experiences generally (rheme 1). The findings from their studies consistently suggest that specifics such as colour schemes, floor surfaces and ceiling heights (theme 2) should be imaginatively used to create intimate or open spaces (rheme 2). Greenman’s research (1988, p.107) proposes that strategies exploiting these three phenomenon to vary natural and reflected light in open spaces (theme 3) are beneficial in sensitising children to the aesthetics of their environment (rheme 3). This (theme 4) is also strongly supported by Feeney, Christianson and Moravick (1991), who studied models of lighting in open spaces suitable to an enjoyment of a variety of creative experiences including drama, music movement and visual art (rheme 4). The safe and effective division of large open areas into smaller, cosier and more functional spaces, using dividers or furniture arrangements (theme 5) has also been shown to be advantageous to children’s appreciation of their environment (Greenman 1988, p.111) (rheme 5). For example, Isenberg and Jalongo (1993) clearly demonstrate that quiet, intimate areas for extensive reading (theme 6) can be more beneficial than open spaces (rheme 6). To sum up, the research conducted has clearly demonstrated that these changes to the environment , particularly with regard to the imaginative use of open or intimate spaces, (theme 7) can substantially improve children’s learning experiences (rheme 7).

Simple rewriting

Theme and thematic progression

Theme 1

Theme 2

Theme 3

Theme 4

Rheme 1

Rheme 2

Rheme 3

Rheme 4

Theme 5

Theme 6

Rheme 5

Rheme 6

Theme 7 Rheme 7

Notice here the break between R4 & T5 to retrieve split rheme 2

Notice here the break between R6 & T7 to set up rounding off.

Notice here how R6 closes split rheme.

Split rheme more effectively signpostedT3 makes ‘open spaces’ explicit

T4 & R4 added to reduce noun phrase.

T6 & R6 added to provide balance in evidence used.

T1 & R1 permeate throughout text

Texture/ textuality

Sinclair (1994: 15):

‘The text, at any particular time carries with it everything that a competent reader needs in order to understand the current state of the text.’

Firstly, as Isenberg and Jalongo clearly demonstrate (1993, p.255)

The findings from their studies consistently suggest that SPLIT RHEME: open and intimate spaces

Greenman’s research (1988, p.107)

Feeney, Christianson and Moravick (1991)

Greenman (1988, p.111)

Isenberg and Jalongo (1993)

Balancing sources

Using endorsement for textual meaning

Conclusion and questionsTheoretically-informed activities based on whole texts, authentic language.Focus on writers’ choices rather than rules.An approach adapted to various proficiency levels.Positive feedback and effectiveness.

Issues of theory into practice; levels of knowledge and role of the teacherAssessment Alignment.One theory for one Language centre?Q&A

• Bernhardt, S. B. (1986) Applying a functional model of language in the writing classroom. In B. Couture (ed) Functional Approaches to Writing: research perspectives. Frances Pinter Publishers: London. 186-196

• Bloor, T., & Bloor. M. (2003). The functional analysis of English: A Hallidayan approach. London: Arnold.

• Christie, F., & Derewianka, B. (2008). School Discourse: Learning to write across the years of schooling. London; New York: Continuum.

• Collins, P., & Hollo, C. (2010). English grammar :An introduction (2nd ed.). Basingstoke England: Palgrave Macmillan.• Derewianka, B. (2003). Trends and Issues in Genre-Based Approaches. RELC Journal 2003; 34; 133• Feez, S. (1998). Text-based Syllabus Design. Sydney: National Centre for Language Teaching and Research, Macquarie University.• Guang Eng Ho, D. (2009). Systemic Text Analysis in the ESL Writing Classroom: Does it work? RELC Vol. 40 (3)• Halliday, M.A.K & Hasan, R. (1976). Cohesion in English. London: Longman• Hyland, K. & Hamp-Lyons, L. (2002). EAP: issues and directions. Journal of English for Academic Purposes, 1, 1,1-12• Johns, A. M. (2002). Genre in the Classroom : Multiple Perspectives. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc. • Martin, J.R. 1995a. 'Interpersonal Meaning, Persuasion, and Public Discourse: Packing Semiotic Punch', Australian Journal of Linguistics 15: 3-67.• Martin, J.R. 1995b. 'Reading Positions/Positioning Readers: JUDGEMENT in English', Prospect: a Journal of Australian TESOL 10 (2): 27-37.• Martin, J.R. 2000. 'Beyond Exchange: APPRAISAL Systems in English', in Evaluation in Text, Hunston, S. & Thompson, G. (eds), Oxford, Oxford University Press.

• Martin, J. R. & Rose, D. (2005). Designing literacy pedagogy: scaffolding asymmetries. In R. Hasan, C.M.I.M. Matthiessen and J. Webster (eds.) Continuing Discourse on Language. London: Equinox, 251280

• Martin, J. R. & Rose, D. (2007). Working with Discourse: meaning beyond the clause. London: Continuum (1st edition 2003)

• Martin, J. R. & Rose, D. (2007b). Interacting with text: the roles of Dialogue in Learning to Read and Write, Foreign Languages in China. 4 (5): 66-80

• Paltridge, B. (2002). Genre, text types and the EAP classroom. In Ann Johns, (Ed.), Genre in the classroom: multiple perspectives. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. • Pang, T.T.T (2002). Textual Analysis and contextual awareness building: A comparison of two approaches to teaching genre. In Ann Johns, (Ed.), Genre in the classroom: multiple perspectives. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum. • Sinclair, J. McH. (1994). Trust the text. In M. Coulthard (Ed.), Advances in Written Text Analysis (pp. 13-25). London: Routledge. • Thornbury, S. (2005). Beyond the Sentence: Introducing Discourse Analysis.. Oxford: Macmillan Education, 2005.

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