UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
HUE UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF ENGLISH
End-of-course Assignment
UNIT: DISCOURSE ANALYSIS
Student's full name: Le Hoang Anh Khoa
Student number: 21F7519027
Class: K17A
I. Identify 10 instances of cohesion in the text below, inlcuding 1 chain of
collocation. (6 marks)
Instances of cohesion in the text:
1. Reference: The pronoun "His" in sentence (2) refers back to Stephen Hawking,
establishing cohesion between the two sentences.
2. Collocation chain: The collocation chain "theoretical physicist, cosmologist,
author" in sentence (1) establishes a chain of related terms that describe Stephen
Hawking's professional roles.
3. Enumeration: The enumeration of Stephen Hawking's accomplishments, such as
his collaboration with Roger Penrose, his theory of cosmology, and his support for the
many-worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics, in sentences (2), (3), and (4) creates
cohesion by presenting a series of related ideas.
4. Listing: The listing of Stephen Hawking's affiliations and awards, including
being a Fellow of the Royal Society, a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences,
and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, in sentence (5) establishes cohesion
by presenting a list of his notable honors.
5. Ranking: The mention of Stephen Hawking's ranking as number 25 in the
BBC's poll of the 100 Greatest Britons in sentence (6) creates cohesion by providing
additional information about his recognition and influence.
6. Chronological order: The mention of Stephen Hawking's tenure as the Lucasian
Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge between 1979 and 2009 in
sentence (7) establishes cohesion by presenting information in chronological order.
7. Contrast: The contrast between Stephen Hawking's scientific achievements and
his commercial success with popular science books in sentence (7) creates cohesion by
highlighting different aspects of his career.
8. Superlative: The mention of Stephen Hawking's book, A Brief History of Time,
appearing on the British Sunday Times best-seller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks in
sentence (8) establishes cohesion by emphasizing its exceptional popularity.
9. Elaboration: The elaboration on Stephen Hawking's medical condition,
specifically his rare form of motor neurone disease and the progression of his paralysis,
in sentence (9) creates cohesion by providing additional details about his health.
10. Result: The mention of Stephen Hawking's ability to communicate through a
speech-generating device despite the loss of his speech in sentence (10) creates cohesion
by presenting the result or outcome of his condition.
11. Temporal relationship: The mention of Stephen Hawking's death on 14 March
2018 at the age of 76 in sentence (11) establishes cohesion by providing the concluding
information about his life.
*The collocation chain "gravitational singularity theorems" in sentence (2) was not
counted as a separate instance of cohesion since it is part of a larger context and does not
create a direct chain of related terms within the given text.
II. Identify the text type/ genre of the passage; point out its schematic/ generic
structure; list particular linguistic features (grammatical, lexical, etc.) that are typical
of the text type. (4 marks)
Genre/text type News report or news article
Schematic/generic Headline: Brief and attention-grabbing title summarizing the
structure main event.
Lead/Introduction: Provides a concise summary of the main
event or incident.
Body: Presents the details, description, and quotes related to the
event.
Conclusion: Provides additional information or summarizes the
outcome of the event.
Grammatical and Use of present tense: The events are described using the
lexical features present tense to create a sense of immediacy.
typical of the news Direct quotes: The inclusion of direct quotes from the people
report genre involved adds authenticity and provides firsthand information.
Passive voice: The passive voice is used to emphasize the
action or event rather than the doer.
Specific details: The text includes specific details such as
names, locations, and timing to provide factual information.
Abbreviations: Abbreviations like "MoD" (Ministry of
Defence) are used for brevity and to cater to the expected
readership's familiarity with such terms.
Descriptive language: Adjectives and adverbs, such as
"dozing," "woody," "usual," and "realistic," are used to
provide vivid descriptions and enhance the reader's
understanding of the situation.
Informal expressions: Phrases like "kipping beneath," "for the
sake of making things more realistic," and "woke up" give the
text an informal tone.
Specific references: The text refers to Greenham Common,
Salisbury Plain, and Berkshire, which are specific locations
relevant to the event being reported.
III. Write a text of at least 150 words on ONE of the following topics:
_ Environmental protection
_ Benefits of digital technology
Point out the theme patterns/ progression (Zigzag, Constant theme, Multiple
theme) in the text you wrote. (5 marks)
Topic: Environmental Protection
Environmental protection is a pressing global issue that requires immediate
attention. The degradation of our natural resources, pollution, and climate change pose
significant threats to the planet and its inhabitants. To address these challenges, concerted
efforts must be made at individual, community, and governmental levels.
One of the key themes in environmental protection is the need for sustainability.
This involves adopting practices that meet present needs without compromising the ability
of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development encompasses
aspects such as renewable energy, waste reduction, and conservation of biodiversity. By
embracing sustainable practices, we can minimize our ecological footprint and ensure a
healthier planet for future generations.
Another theme in environmental protection is the importance of collective action.
Individual efforts, while valuable, are not enough to bring about meaningful change. It
requires collaboration among governments, organizations, and communities to implement
policies and initiatives that prioritize environmental preservation. This includes advocating
for stronger regulations, promoting eco-friendly technologies, and raising awareness about
the importance of environmental stewardship.
Additionally, the theme of education and awareness plays a crucial role in
environmental protection. Educating people about the impacts of their actions and
empowering them with knowledge on sustainable practices fosters a sense of
environmental responsibility. This can lead to more informed decision-making and
behavior changes that contribute to the preservation of our natural resources.
In conclusion, environmental protection requires a multi-faceted approach that
encompasses sustainability, collective action, and education. By addressing these themes,
we can work towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.
Theme progression: Constant theme. The text consistently revolves around the
theme of environmental protection, emphasizing the importance of sustainability,
collective action, and education throughout. There is no zigzag or multiple theme
progression in this particular text.
IV. Identify the adacency pairs in the following conversation between A and
B using categories 'Greeting', 'Information seek', 'Information provide', 'Information
check', 'Feedback', 'Opinion seek' , 'Opinion provide', 'Clarification seek',
“Invitation', 'Comment', 'Acceptance' and 'Leave-taking'. (5 marks)
(1) & (2): greeting-greeting
(3) & (4): information seek-information provide
(5) & (6): information seek-information provide
(7) & (8): information seek-information provide
(9) & (10): information check-information provide
(11) & (12): information seek-information provide
(13) & (14): information seek-information provide
(15) & (16): feedback-information seek
(17) & (18): information seek-information provide
(19) & (20): feedback-information seek
(21) & (22): information seek-information provide
(23) & (24): feedback-information seek
(25) & (26): information seek-information provide
(27) & (28): feedback-information seek
(29) & (30): invitation-acceptance
(31) & (32): leave-taking
