Discourse, Language Functions, and Scientific Text Structures
Classified in Social sciences
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Understanding Discourse and Language Functions
The Notion of Discourse
Discourse refers to messages that proliferate and spread rapidly, often linked to specific language functions.
Key Language Functions
Referential Function
When the focus is on revealing facts or information.
Emotional Function
When the sender expresses their mood, allowing insight into their privacy.
Poetic Function
When the purpose is to draw attention to the message itself, highlighting its form or content.
Conative Function (Appeals)
When the aim is for the receiver to accept an idea through persuasive arguments.
Phatic Function
When speakers attempt to maintain open communication using conventional expressions like "say," "if," "uh-huh," "well," etc.
Characteristics and Structure of Scientific Texts
Defining Scientific Texts
Scientific texts are documents that aim to present facts shaping reality, supported by research and evidence.
Classification of Scientific Texts
Specialized Scientific Texts
Aims to present scientific truth in its full complexity, intended for receivers with sufficient training for its interpretation.
Didactic Scientific Texts
Directly aimed at teaching general principles of various sciences. Their language tends to be clear and accessible to specific recipients with formal schooling.
Popular Science Texts
Its purpose is to make the essentials and basics of scientific disciplines accessible to the general public. They employ dynamic and entertaining language, often found in mass-circulation magazines.
Features of Didactic and Popular Science Texts
Referentiality
Every signifier has a specific meaning relevant to the science it concerns.
Objectivity
Ideas are stated directly, without the speaker's emotions involved.
Third-Person and Impersonal Verbs
The use of verbs in the third person grammatical is a consequence of objectivity. Impersonal verbs include infinitives, gerunds, and participles.
Argumentation
The speaker uses logical reasoning to support the validity of their claims.
Ideographic Chronology (Text Structure)
This refers to the ordered representation of ideas that shapes the internal structure of the text. The typical order is:
Introduction
The beginning of the text.
Development
Comprising multiple sections or subsections, which may include the following parts:
Problem Statement
Presentation of Hypotheses
Development of a Theory
- Argumentation
- Experimentation
- Comparison
- Verification