Modes of Discourse: The Local Structure of Texts

by Carlota S. Smith

Book Overview

In studying discourse, the problem for the linguist is to find a fruitful level of analysis. Carlota Smith offers a new approach with this study of discourse passages, units of several sentences or more. She introduces the key idea of the Discourse Mode, identifying five modes: Narrative, Description, Report, Information, Argument. Smith analyzes the properties that distinguish each mode, focusing on grammatical rather than lexical information. The...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0521120624
• ISBN13: 9780521120623
• Release Date: October 2009
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.09 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"