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ENG4115 - Texture and Linguistic Structure

Course content

What makes us perceive coherence in texts? And what is the difference between a text and an arbitrary collection of sentences? Within Systemic-Functional Grammar such phenomena are studied as part of texture. The components of texture are cohesion, thematic structure, and information structure. All these are signalled in a text through lexicogrammatical choices.

Learning outcomes

The course focuses on how texts are structured, how texture is created through lexicogrammatical choices and how texture is perceived on the basis of linguistic signals. The course also gives some attention to genre variation, particularly the study of academic texts.The theoretical framework is mainly systemic-functional grammar as developed by M.A.K. Halliday, but other approaches will also be relevant to the study of thematic structure and information structure. In addition practical text analysis will be an important part of the course.

Admission

Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.

International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.

Prerequisites

Formal prerequisites

Admission to the master programs in language or LP.

Recommended prior knowledge

One of the following courses: ENG2151 - Systemic Functional Grammar, introduction, ENG2152 - Varieties of English Texts or equivalent background.

The course assumes a good proficiency in written and oral English.

Teaching

The course is taught throughout the semester with 2 hours per week, 28 hours in all. Half-way through the semester there is a period of one (autumn term) or two (spring term) reading weeks without teaching, to be used for individual study and work on assignments. 80% attendance is required.

Exam information

Each student must present an article from or connected to the syllabus during the first half of the term. In addition, all students must carry out a text analysis to be presented orally in class in the second half of the term. In connection with the presentation, the student has to submit written documentation of the analysis in the form of notes and/or an outline for the presentation and a description of the results and the sources used. The exam is a three-day take-home exam. In the assessment both content and language will be considered, as well as the appropriate presentation of quotations, references and linguistic examples.

All assignments handed in for evaluation must be accompanied by an obligatory statement concerning cheating: http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/hf/ilos/Oblig-statement-cheating.rtf.

Previous exams: http://www.uio.no/studier/emner/hf/ilos/ENG4115/eksamensoppgaver/Eksamensoppgaver.xml

Assessment and grading

The results will be found on the StudentWeb within three weeks after the exam.

Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .

Explanations and appeals

Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .

Withdrawing from exams and limits on re-takes

A student can sit for this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do this in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit for the exam.

Exam options for students with special needs

Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.

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