ENG4115 – Texture and Linguistic Structure
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
- What makes us perceive texts as coherent?
- And what is the difference between a text and an arbitrary collection of sentences?
The answer given in systemic-functional linguistics is that texts have texture, i.e. they have cohesion, thematic structure, and information structure. All these features are signalled in a text through lexical and grammatical choices.
This course focuses on how texts are structured and how texture is recognized on the basis of lexicogrammatical features. The course also gives some attention to genre variation. The main theoretical framework is systemic-functional grammar, but other approaches are also discussed. In addition, practical text analysis is an important part of the course.
Learning outcome
After completing this course you will be able to:
- analyse linguistic resources for creating coherence in texts
- identify and reflect on the information structure of texts in different genres
- discuss the relations between sentence grammar and the texture of texts
- conduct a case study of selected features of texture in a selected (set of) text(s)
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Prerequisites
Recommended previous knowledge
Students should have some insight into systemic-functional linguistics and/or discourse analysis (as provided for example in ENG2151 – Systemic Functional Grammar, introduction (discontinued)/ENG4151 – Systemic Functional Grammar, introduction (discontinued) or ENG2152 – Varieties of English Texts/ENG4152 – Varieties of English Texts). Students who do not have this background may have to do some extra reading.
The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English.
Teaching
Seminar, two hours per week for ten weeks, 20 hours in total.
Attendance is obligatory at least 8 out of 10 seminars. Additional absences must be justified by documentation given to the exam coordinator.
There are two obligatory assignments: one oral presentation an article from or connected to the syllabus and one written assignment connected to the term paper.
Examination
The assessment of the course is based on a term paper of approximately ten pages (4000 words). The topic for the term paper will be decided by the teacher and student together. In the assessment both content and language will be considered, as well as the appropriate presentation of quotations, references and linguistic examples.
You submit your paper in Inspera. Read more about submission procedures
The term paper is the basis for the grade in this course.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
The results will be found at StudentWeb within three weeks after the exam.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.