LESSON 1

TEXT AS CONNECTED
DISCOURSE
• A text is generally considered
as written material, especially
longer pieces of writing as in a
book, a letter or a newspaper.
Discourse is generally
regarded as spoken. Jorgensen
and Phillips put forth the
qualities of a text as:
• 1. Cohesion. The parts are connected.

• 2. Coherence. The overall text has

meaning.

• 3. Intentionality. The writer’s attitude

and purpose can be discerned.

• 4. Acceptability. The text is recognized.

• 5. Informativity. There is a
quantity of new or expected info.

• 6. Situationality. The text’s topic is

situationally and culturally
appropriate.

• 7. Intertextuality. The text can be

linked to preceeding discourse.
Written text is also described
as written discourse,
especially when a simple
analysis of it reveals that is
connected discourse, e.g. it
uses cohesive devices,
connectives, conjunctions,
and repetitions.
Written text acquires the characteristics of
connected discourse when:

• 1. Its ideas are linked logically.

Here are some steps to make a logical division of idea
paragraph:

a. Begin a logical division paragraph with a topic

sentence.
b. In the supporting sentences, discuss each point one
after the other.
c. Introduce each new point with a signal word or
phrase.
d. In addition, support each point with a convincing
detail such as an example or statistic (numbers,
amounts, percentages, etc).
e. Finally, end a logical division paragraph with a
concluding sentence.
Connectives for listing arguments
This can be used for the first
Firstly supporting argument.

These can be used for any

Secondly, furthermore, further supporting arguments
moreover, in addition (except, of course, for “Secondly”
which can only be used for the
second.

This can be used for the last

Finally supporting argument.
Concluding Connectives
Three common concluding connectives are:

In conclusion
These all carry roughly the same
meaning. They should be used to
indicate that you are making final
In summary
statements that cover all the
supporting arguments in a very
general way.

Thus
In fact/Indeed
These two connectives have almost the
same meaning and both can be used in
the following situations:

1. To connect a more detailed

statement with a preceding general
statement
Example: Today is very warm. In fact (or
Indeed) it is 35 degrees Celsius.
2. To connect a statement which is
more factual and exact with a
preceding statement that is more
debatable and general.

Example: The internet is very

popular in Australia. Indeed (or In
fact), Australia has the highest
proportion of Internet users per head
of population of any country in the
world.