Introduction
The great tempos of the modern world are leading to the appearance of numerous alterations in the structure of human thought and in major concepts used to describe unique phenomena in the life of an individual. With this in mind, textual realization and a stable notion of generic integrity could improve the comprehension of a certain term, serving as the basis for further investigation and analysis.
Thus, the written discourse that helps organize meaningful conversation or discussion, and promotes the formation of the general image of an issue, is of great importance. Furthermore, the ability to create the positive textual realization and representation of any such issue might help solve certain existing problems, and confront potential challenges within the process of investigating a certain sphere. This makes the improvement of writing skills and the competence needed to create a certain product crucial for a specialist.
Review of the Relevant Theory
Bhatias Perspective on Writing Discourse. Conceptualization in Terms of the Context
When considering the issue of writing, several major concerns come to light in attempting to describe various regularities and create the theoretical framework needed to develop the necessary competence. The precise investigation of the major concerns of written discourse and basic writing skills introduces the need for a theoretical background to serve as the framework for numerous processes. Additionally, discussing the genres used to meet the challenges of the modern age requires delving into the peculiarities of this phenomenon. As a complicating factor, Bhatia expresses certainty that “the real world of discourse does not neatly fit into the established theories and practices of genre analysis” (x).
In reality, these very genres are attached to particular communities that use them to accomplish various tasks, guaranteeing their further evolution. Bhatia also states that textualization of lexico-grammatical features differs across various genres, and makes the comprehension of written discourse more complicated (5). For instance, various genres have their own peculiarities regarding usage of the same part of speech, which might alter its meaning depending on the context.
For this reason, it is crucial to consider the context and the purpose of the created text to reveal the main meaning and provide the needed information. The significance of context and textualization is also evidenced by a number of distinctive features that appear between various genes (Vedonik, Zgankand, and Peterlin 761). As such, it is paramount to be able to choose the best possible meaning in order to impel efficient and informative discourse that could improve comprehension of a certain issue.
Major Writing Concerns
Apart from these issues, several concerns emerge in the process of text creation. When writing a certain document or presenting information, it is vital to keep in mind the idea that the manner of presentation and the use of various devices will impact the general understanding of the data, and contribute to the development of the clear image of a certain object (Frow 73). For this reason, the organization of the textual image is essential for the written discourse.
When considering the differences in genres and the peculiarities of their usage, it is important to remember that adherence to the major aspects of a certain pattern is the key for the comprehension of certain information (Sandhy para. 9). Obviously, the given mechanism gives rise to some concerns related to the difficulties with the establishment of the clear textual image of the data. An inexperienced person might encounter a problem resulting from the inability to see the distinctive differences between various genres and the peculiarities of their usage (“What is ‘Discourse’?” 4).
Theoretical Perspectives
With regard to the outlined concerns, an analysis of the written discourse’s theoretical background and investigation of various genres’ key elements become especially significant. Identifying important grammatical and semantic features of a certain text might form the foundation for the further development of an individual and his/her writing skills (Parodi 22). Bhatia states that focusing on statistically significant features of lexis and grammar of a certain genre (5) might result in the improvement of its comprehension, and acquisition of its clear image.
For this reason, a persons most important task is to obtain a clear vision of genres boundaries, as well as the peculiarities of their usage that impact the choice of lexico-grammatical features (Collin 81). Additionally, the solid knowledge base that describes the most important mechanisms of written discourse is the guarantee for the evolution of a persons competence. That is why the negotiation of specific challenges, like adherence to the genres frames or choice of the appropriate lexis, will obviously lead to the improvement of writing skills.
Review of the Applications of the Theory
The Lexical Complications Faced While Creating Precise Communication
It should be highlighted that the foregoing theoretical aspects are the result of a generalization of the issues encountered in the various writing activities. For instance, the selection of the lexico-grammatical aspects of the text was sometimes a difficulty to me; I found it hard to choose the words that would reveal the required meaning and fit the form of writing while preparing the portfolio for the paper.
For example, I stated that “teacher should have different teaching methods.” In this sentence, I needed to emphasize the importance of having several methods and give a hint that doing so would be beneficial for both educators and learners. However, while creating this sentence, I felt an urge to use the word “must.” But if I had chosen the word “must,” the meaning would have been different, and the necessity to prove why teachers are not allowed to use similar methods would have arisen.
Thus, it was paramount for me to carefully and thoroughly select the lexis that would allow for the proper and precise communication of the meaning that I wanted the sentence to have, and that would not require mentioning additional information, for such information would be excessive.
Usage of Discourse to Create Various Genres
The discussion revolving around the peculiarities of discourse and the usage of various genres, in terms of the improvement of writing skills, brings to mind several significant challenges that I encountered in the process of the creation of the texts. First, in creating the textual representation of a certain genre, it is necessary to determine its key features and follow them strictly. For example, writing a syllabus versus a resume will demand different approaches that result from the type of these documents, and will be conditioned by the purpose inherent in their completion.
That is why adherence to the basic principles of the composition is one of the specific challenges involved in producing a distinctive work. The problem is also complicated by the necessity to use a specific vocabulary that is rarely utilized in everyday life (Hadley para. 8). The demands for the structure of the work, combined with the unusual pattern the textual representation should follow, govern the complexity of the task and promote intensity of involvement in the process.
Furthermore, in investigating the above-mentioned genres, and in constructing such works, the problem of phrasing also appears. The peculiarities of a certain genre introduce limits with regard to how to use various words and phrases. Personally, this results in the emergence of certain complications. For instance, I found it difficult to avoid polysemantic words when writing the resume, for they are commonly used in everyday speech.
The necessity to be understood only in one particular way influenced my word choice greatly. I could use no lexis that could reveal personal biases (such as the adjective “interesting”). My resume just stated the facts, with no appeal to emotions. However, the plan for the future focuses on the way different things are perceived and treated, so I had to concentrate on personal considerations, based on knowledge and beliefs, while creating this document.
When considering different genres, it is also vital to admit the differences in the approaches used to create a certain work. A genre’s demands drive the specific requirements of the evaluation system that determines the quality of work. For this reason, each paper demands a unique approach that potentially contributes to its quality and organization. For instance, the process of writing grading comments requires reflective skills to comprehend the main grading criteria and provide a reasonable basis for pointing out a certain mistake or drawback.
Completion of this work could be taken as a sort of critical writing, combined with the evaluation and consideration of a certain grade. In contrast, a term report must demonstrate a good understanding of meaningful events, requiring the writer to use analytic skills to accomplish the task and provide a clear and easily comprehensible report. I have also encountered other difficulties related to the completion of varying tasks. With this in mind, the practice of various genres promotes a better comprehension of major concerns involved in written discourse, leading to the reconsideration of existing approaches in the course of authoring a paper within the scope of a specific genre.
The Summary of the Challenges That May Commonly Be Encountered in the Process of Writing
Therefore, the above-mentioned challenges contribute to the increased complexity of the writing process, and determine its significance in discourse. Furthermore, in creating a work belonging to a certain genre, a person faces difficulties related to the various terms and prescribed use of stylistic devices. It is obvious that the choice of lexis will differ as it is called for by the peculiarities of style and the goal of the textual representation of certain data (Ingold 198).
However, comprehending this fact contributes to the increased difficulty of any task of this sort. Realizing the importance of logic and genre-appropriate text plays an important role in the process of writing. In general, one of the greatest challenges for a writer is following basic guidelines and minding existing limits within the genre of the written discourse being attempted. For these reasons, the further evolution of skills is conditioned by the ability to act in accordance with the most important peculiarities of a genre.
Analysis of the Outcomes of the Writing Experiences
The Difficulties Encountered and the Problems Identified
The process of creating various papers, collecting materials, and analyzing sources influences the formation of skills and improves comprehension of the major concepts of written discourse. Still, in scrutinizing the papers, it is possible to trace the writer’s progress and obtain a clear vision of the main difficulties involved in performing a certain task. For example, analyzing the CV, CL, and email enables the writer to discern the structure and organization of these papers.
Previous experience and research have necessitated the acquisition of needed experience to ensure the high quality of assigned papers. Simultaneously, such endeavors as grading comments, term papers, or syllabus development might need some improvement, because of the lack of practical skills and theoretical background needed to write within the constraints of the above-mentioned genres.
The challenges resulting from the absence of the required background also highlight the necessity for a further improvement of the theoretical basis, so as to be able to face any problem that might appear while creating the textual representation of a certain idea within a particular genre. Thus, when writing the portfolio, it was critical for me to understand the main peculiarities of the papers. For instance, e-mail has a particular structure that is mainly unchangeable regardless of the addressee, but it was paramount to know how a message meant for students differs from the one prepared for their parents not only in the framework of context but also framing that depends on the purpose of writing and expected response.
The Lessons Learned
Acquired knowledge is significant for promoting a better understanding of the peculiarities of every genre. Moreover, application of basic writing skills, combined with improvement in comprehending the major concerns of written discourse, will result in the formation of competence that will assist me in developing the textual representation of various ideas and images. Furthermore, my investigation of the peculiarities of various genres will be of use in understanding the mechanisms inherent in different lexis and stylistic devices. The tasks also allowed me to recognize the importance of the context.
Conclusion
Therefore, the process of writing, in terms of various genres, can be rather challenging, for it rests on the basic principles of written discourse. Moreover, problems that emerge in the course of the creation of a certain paper trigger contemplation of the approaches to writing. The complexity of above-mentioned tasks also lies in the necessity to acknowledge various requirements to the manner of presentation of facts, determined by the context (“Text Analysis, Written Discourse (TXT)” para. 6). For these reasons, the investigation of the peculiarities of various genres could be challenging in itself; however, it promotes a better understanding of the crucial concerns of written discourse.
Works Cited
Bhatia, Vijay. Worlds of Written Discourse: A Genre-Based View (Advances in Applied Linguistics). London: Bloomsburry Academic. 1988. Print.
Collin, Ross. “Genre in Discourse, Discourse in Genre. A New Approach to the Study of Literate Practice.” Journal of Literacy Research 44.1 (2012): 76-96. Web.
Frow, John. Discourse Genres. n.d. Web.
Hadley, Gregory. Written Discourse Analysis: Investigation and Implications. n.d. Web.
Ingold, Richard. “Worlds of Written Discourse: A Genre Based View.” Australian Journal of Linguistics 35.2 (2015): 197-199. Web.
Parodi, Giovanni. “Written Discourse Genres.” Studies in Corpus Linguistics 40 (2010): 17-35. Web.
Sandhy, Amrita. Discuss the Differences in Form Between Speech and Writing. n.d. Web.
Text Analysis, Written Discourse (TXT).n.d. Web.
Vedonik, Darinka, Andrei Zgankand, and Agnes Peterlin. “The Impact of Context on Discourse Marker Use in Two Conversational Genres.” Discourse Studies 10.6 (2008): 759-775. Web.
What is ‘Discourse’? n.d. Web.