ERIC Number: ED207014
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1981-Jul
Pages: 18
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Practical Applications of Analyses and Descriptions of Texts.
Pugh, A. K.
An examination of the literature supports the view that the implications of text studies have yet to have much impact on classrooms. For example, word frequency lists have been used widely in the preparation of reading materials. However, few books come with a list of the frequency of the words they contain. Thus, the main use of comparing texts against the vocabulary of their readers has been in research. Studies of cohesion seem to be relevant to selection of materials--in guiding inspection rather than in producing an index of difficulty. Furthermore, they suggest features, of which children could be usefully aware, that are important for the comprehension of texts. Propositional analysis was intended as a research tool and its use remains mainly for research purposes. On the other hand, analysis of story grammars offers a means of relatively objective analysis and may be helpful for teachers in devising "complete the story" tasks. Rhetoric is also useful in that it provides an explicit knowledge of conventions used in discourse. Although various analyses suggest means of examining books for selection or of preparing tasks, exercises, or analyses for children to undertake, a shift in their emphasis from research to classroom application is required to make them useful. (HOD)
Publication Type: Speeches/Meeting Papers; Opinion Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A