Notes by your teacher at Talking People http://www.talkingpeople.

net/

INTRODUCTION TO TEXTUAL ANALYSIS

Texts can be oral or written. Here we'll focus on written texts. You need to learn about different types:
their purpose, the context they are used in, their layout or format, their structure, the language they
use... You already know a lot about texts. You know what a list looks like. You know you cannot possibly
write a CV/resumé using the format of an informal letter! Look at this! Writing Assignment: Write a job
application (X words).

Hiya potential boss!

I was having my morning coffee today while leafing through the paper when I found your ad. So, here I am to tell you
all about myself, because I know I’m the one you’re looking for!
I was born in a little town in Oklahoma… Haha… I’m just teasing! Well, down to business: at school I was a lousy
student, so I quit all that crap, never went to university -- in spite of being as clever as hell! I traveled lots and
learned about life.
I can manage in all types of situations! Come rain or come shine!;D I’m great at socializing and at organizing
people’s work around me – haha – so I’d be a great manager. Think about it!
I’d love to meet you. We could negociate the salary having a couple of drinks, what’d ya think?
You can reach me at 99999999. Don’t ring too early, say after midday -- I’m a late night bird. ;)
Hope to hear from you soon!
Love,

PS: If you need references, my mum can tell you all about me!

This job-application letter has the wrong tone and language -- it’s like an informal letter! However,
paragraph themes are correct, the problem is that the guy doesn’t give the appropriate information on
those topics. The effect is comical, as you have probably notice. Just imagine the “potential boss”!

NARRATIVE TEXTS are about EVENTS taking place. They tell you a story. When you write a narrative, a
story, you have to give readers the setting first (people involved, time/space, problem), so that they have
a framework of reference. Then you have to develop the problem and finally solve it. WATCH OUT!: They
often include DESCRIPTIONS, too, and DIALOGUES and MONOLOGUES! Structure: Beginning - Development -
Ending! Language: lots of verbs!

DESCRIPTIVE TEXTS are about information on OBJECTS themselves (people, things, landscapes…). A
description can be external (picture the whole and then move onto the different parts), functional
(picture the instruments and/or parts and describe their function), or psychological (the feeling the
object described produces in the writer). Structure: marked by your point of view, which means you have
to think about the structure of your descriptive text. How are you going to organize it? Around the
physical? (from top to bottom?, left to right?, general to particular?, the other way round?), in a thematic
kind of organization?, chronologically?... Language: lots of adjectives and stative verbs (i.e. verbs
indicating states, like look, seem, be...)

INSTRUCTIONAL/PROCEDURAL TEXTS are HOW-TO texts, texts about how to do things! Structure: The
structure is very clearly ordered. First step 1, then step 2...! It begins at the beginning of the process
described, moves on along with such process and ends also when the process finishes. This means no
conclusions or opinion-like endings are included. Language: lots of imperatives, sequencers…

ARGUMENTATIVE TEXTS are about ideas. They show the process of supporting or weakening another
statement. "Defending a position" means EXPLAINING the ideas & GIVING REASONS for them. "Defending a
position" is not prevailing, or fighting people. Language: everything has to be clearly explained and
supported, not counting on the reader's knowledge or on the rightfulness of your position. Structure:
• Classical Other:
a.Introduction (the purpose of my...) • Pros and cons discussion: pro-con-pro-con or
b.Explanation of the case under consideration con-pro-con-pro.
(there are two different approaches to this • One-sided argument: no counterarguments.
issue... historically the debate...)
c. Outline of the argument (the difficult points are • Eclectic approach: some of the views on the
the following... + as it was said above...) subject.
d.Proofs supporting the argument (as a matter of • Opposition's arguments first, author's arguments
fact... it cannot be forgotten... furthermore... Traditionally it has been believed…; it seems to be
what is more…) a fact...
e.Refutation (even though... it is obvious that... • Other side questioned: no direct refutation,
nobody would believe that...)
mainly posing questions.
f. Conclusion (on the whole... as a result... as a
conclusion... finally... summing up...)
LETTER-WRITING
Letter-Writing is a world of its own. In our website section called Writing at Talking People you’ll find a whole
section devoted to the subject. Formal and informal letters, e-mails, notes too, on various topics or with various
purposes need to be practiced.

Informal Letters
Structure: hello part, body with whatever you need to tell organized according to your viewpoint (but group topics,
please), good-bye part (usually in two steps: I need to stop now + Love). Also, you-me, you-me, you-me structure.
Language: language showing closeness: informal, slang, contractions...

Formal Letters
Structure: you have to be careful with the structure of formal letters, for it is non-creative, fixed, as it is much of
the language used in it. Create your list of types of formal letters and analyze their structure. Typical case: Reasons
why you are writing + Relevant info + Contact info + Closure.
Language: NO contractions, fixed or typical sentences, no slang, no informal language (re-read the VERY
INEFFECTIVE job-application letter here so you remember the importance of adjusting language to our aims and
kinds of texts). Useful language for formal letters here.

Identifying Text Structure #1 ��Answers

Passage #1 - Chemical and Physical Changes

All matter, all things can be changed in two ways: chemically and physically. Both chemical
and physical changes affect the state of matter. Physical changes are those that do not
change the make-up or identity of the matter. For example, clay will bend or flatten if
squeezed, but it will still be clay. Changing the shape of clay is a physical change, and does
not change the matter's identity. Chemical changes turn the matter into a new kind of matter
with different properties. For example, when paper is burnt, it becomes ash and will never be
paper again. The difference between them is that physical changes are temporary or only last
for a little while, and chemical changes are permanent, which means they last forever.
Physical and chemical changes both affect the state of matter.

Compare and Contrast

Passage #2 - The Best PB & J Ever

When I got home from school after a long boring day, I took out the peanut butter, jelly, and
bread. After taking the lid off of the jars, I spread the peanut butter on one side of the bread
and the jelly on the other, and then I put the two pieces of bread together. After that, I
enjoyed it while watching "Cops" on the TV. I swear, that was the best peanut butter and jelly
sandwich I ever ate.

Chronological Order (passage demonstrates the passage of time, whereas sequence occurs
at no specific time)

Passage #3 - Bobby Fischer

Robert James Fischer was born in Chicago but unlocked the secrets of chess in a Brooklyn
apartment right above a candy store. At the age of six he taught himself to play by following
the instruction booklet that came with his chess board. After spending much of his childhood
in chess clubs, Fischer said that, "One day, I just got good." That may be a bit of an
understatement. At the age of 13 he won the U.S. Junior Chess Championship, becoming the
youngest Junior Champion ever. At the age of 14 he won the U.S. Championship and became
the youngest U.S. Champion in history. Fischer would go on to become the World Champion of
chess, but he would also grow to become his own worst enemy. Instead of defending the title,
he forfeited it to the next challenger without even making a move, and the rise of a chess
superstar ended with a fizzle.

Chronological Order

Passage #4 - Save the Tigers

Dr. Miller doesn't want the tigers to vanish. These majestic beasts are disappearing at an
alarming rate. Dr. Miller thinks that we should write to our congress people. If we let them
know that we demand the preservation of this species, maybe we can make a difference. Dr.
Miller also thinks that we should donate to Save the Tigers. Our donations will help to support
and empower those who are fighting the hardest to preserve the tigers. We owe it to our
grandchildren to do something.

Problem and Soluton

Passage #5 - The Great Recession

Many people are confused about why our economy went to shambles in 2008. The crisis was
actually the result of a combination of many complex factors. First, easy credit conditions
allowed people who were high-risk or unworthy of credit to borrow, and even people who had
no income were eligible for large loans. Second, banks would bundle these toxic loans and
sell them as packages on the financial market. Third, large insurance firms backed these
packages, misrepresenting these high-risk loans as safe investments. Fourth, because of the
ease of acquiring credit and the rapid growth in the housing market, people were buying two
or three houses, intending to sell them for more than they paid. All of these factors created
bubbles of speculation. These bubbles burst, sending the whole market into a downward
spiral, causing employers to lose capital and lay off employees. Consumer spending then
plummeted and most businesses suffered. The economy is like a big boat, and once it gets
moving quickly in the wrong direction, it's hard to turn it around.

Cause and Effect

Passage #6 - Screen Protector

Before applying the screen protector, clean the surface of your phone's screen with a soft
cloth. Once the surface of your screen is clean, remove the paper backing on the screen
protector. Evenly apply the sticky side of the screen protector to your phone's screen.
Smooth out any air bubble trapped on between the protector and the phone screen. Enjoy
the added protection.

Sequence

Text Structure 5

Directions: Read the passages and on a sheet of paper, put the information from each passage
into an appropriate graphic organizer. The following graphic organizers are examples. Feel free to
make changes if necessary.

Chronological Sequence Cause and Problem and Compare and

Effect Solution Contrast

1. Tornados and Hurricanes

Hurricanes and tornados are both amazing yet deadly natural phenomena. Both generate deadly
conditions, but in different ways. Tornados are likely to damage people and property with their high
winds, which go up to 300 miles per hour, but hurricanes are generally more feared for their flooding.
Also, hurricanes can produce tornados, which makes them quite dangerous indeed.

Compare and Contrast

2. Where Did This Tornado Come From?

No one knows exactly what causes tornados, but some scientists believe that when warm air meets cold
air, a tornado may form. The reason for this is that the warm air is lighter than the cold air, so it rises
up fast and meets different winds moving different directions. Under the right conditions, this can
cause a tornado. Though there is still much mystery surrounding tornados, many people believe that
when warm moist air meets cool dry air, tornados can result.

Cause and Effect

3. Twista

Carl Terrell Mitchell, better known by his stage name Twista, was born in 1972. Nineteen years later
Mitchell's first album, "Runnin' Off at da Mouth," debuted. In 1997, after appearing on a hit song, Twista
was signed to Atlantic Records. Under that label he released "Adrenaline Rush" and formed the group
Speedknot Mobstaz in 1998. His 2004 album Kamikaze went to number-one on the U.S. Billboard 200
album chart.

Chronological

4. The Twist

The twist is a dance inspired by rock and roll music. To do the Twist, first stand with your feet
approximately shoulder width apart. The torso may be squared to the knees and hips, or turned at an
angle so one foot is farther forward than the other. Then, hold your arms out from your body, bent at
your elbow. Next, rotate your hips, torso, and legs as a single unit with your arms staying more or less
stationary. Every so often lift one leg off of the floor for styling. Now you're doing the twist!

Sequence

5. Dancing

There are many reasons why people dance. Some people dance for fun, just because they enjoy
dancing. At other times, people dance for exercise or for weight loss, because dancing can really get
your heart beating. Also, sometimes people dance to try to get boyfriends or girlfriends. Some people
think that good dancing is attractive. There are many reasons why people dance.

Cause and Effect