Arab World English Journal (AWEJ) Volume.7 Number.2 June, 2016 Pp. 244-254
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol7no2.16
Written Discourse Analysis and its Application in English Language Teaching
Ali Alsaawi
School of Education, Communication & Language Sciences (ECLS)
Newcastle University, United Kingdom
Abstract:
Discourse analysis is the study of language in either spoken or written form. Written discourse is considered an imperative aspect that needs to be analysed. Cohesion, coherence, clause relations and text patterns are all parts of written discourse. This paper, therefore, aims to shed some light on the analysis of several written texts by discussing the possibility of applying written discourse analysis in English language teaching contexts. The paper starts by reviewing related literature about the meaning of cohesion, coherence, cohesive devices and text patterns, followed by reasons for choosing written discourse analysis in particular. Following this, an analysis of several written texts, together with the possibility of applying written discourse analysis in English language teaching, is presented. Before concluding this paper, an evaluation of the proposed application is provided. It is found that applying written discourse analysis in teaching written texts via the use of a problem solution pattern (SPRE) can increase what to expect in reading texts and the ability to write coherently. Although the author did not have the opportunity to apply this task, generally speaking, most text patterns involving SPRE are highly recommended for students when it comes to shaping their writing and this therefore makes students’ writing coherent and easily readable.
Keywords: cohesion relations, discourse analysis, English language teaching, text patterns, written texts.
Cite as: Alsaawi, A. (2016). Written Discourse Analysis and its Application in English Language Teaching. Arab World English Journal,7 (2).
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol7no2.16