LING 402 ACADEMIC DISCOURSE PRACTICES: A critical approach

1. LING 402 ACADEMIC DISCOURSE PRACTICES: A critical approach Week 3: Critical evaluation of a postgraduate assignment

2. Things to consider when writing an assignment We need to • organise the text in a way which helps the reader • represent our ideas using convincing argumentation and • represent ourself by using a particular style.

3. An Evaluation of a PG Essay • Today we will be using the essay entitled Language Aptitude: An Evaluative Review. • The purpose of the following exercise is not to present the essay as some sort of model for you to copy but to give you an opportunity to evaluate the writer’s method of text organisation, writing argument and style.

4. Task 1 – Text Organisation • Mark places where the writer helps the reader in terms of text organisation: • Does she map out the content of the essay anywhere? If so, where? And how? • What is the function of the section headings? • How effective is this? • Identify places where she makes links across paragraphs. • How does she do this?

5. Linking devices • Signpost language (e.g. first, second, third, next , then ) • Pronouns to refer back (it, this, these, they) • Synonyms • Cohesive markers • Repetition (and /or simplification of key words or ideas • Noun – verb link • Adverb – adjective link

6. Task 2 - Argumentation • Find some of the key points she is making. • Identify some ways she uses to justify them. • Does she bring her own experience into the writing? If so, where?

7. SOME EARLY CLAIMSthe way she shows her views, her position p. 2 Gardner tends, rightly in my opinion, to stress the overriding importance of the ‘socio-cultural milieu’ p. 3 this model [Carroll’s] is deficient … p. 5.. aptitude is reliable as a predictor of foreign language success (‘the reliability of’) p. 6 Carroll’s recommendations for pedagogy reflect the dominant methodology [this could be done] … through learner training

8. Her answers to ‘Why has it been so neglected?’ (p. 7) THE TEST 1. p. 8 the MLAT is bound by the methodological constraints of audiolingualism (and sub-points on the rest of the same page) 2. p. 9 … are beset by some structural problems Its IMPLICATIONS 3. p. 10 everyone should have an equal opportunity to learn 4. p. 10 It is therefore wrong to assume that the implications of aptitude testing can simply be imposed … for there are … affective variables and moral and ethical concerns (and sub-points leading to this on the same page) 5. p. 11 Krashen’s insistence that it has no relevance outside the classroom (argument against this on pp 11 – 12) 6. p. 14 the possibility that aptitude is innate (argument against this on pp 13 – 14)

9. Claims in the conclusion Research claims: • Aptitude is not monolithic • It is one of the best predictors • It carries important implications The writer claims: • we need to continue to investigate For the language teacher, aptitude is in an eternal dark shadow because of: • moral and ethical implications • doubts about its usefulness inside and outside the classroom • its implication runs contrary to what language teachers know about the complexities of their learners and their classrooms

10. Task 3 - Style 1.Comment on aspects of the essay style you liked or disliked and give reasons why. 2. In what ways is her style similar or different from your own?

11. Style • Dislikes:

12. Style • Likes

13. Writer’s Style - summary • Makes her own position clear • Direct language • Claims are explicit and bold • Tends not to use hedging or mitigation a lot

14. and finally……What mark did this assignment receive?

15. Further References • http://www.lancs.ac.uk/depts/celt/sldc/ materials/writing.htm • Essay Examples http://www.lancs.ac.uk/fss/courses/ling/ ling402/essays.htm Remember to use the username and password on Week One’s handout – see course notice-board and spare copies from B106.