Core Concept: Functional Building Blocks
Texts are Made Up of Functional Building Blocks
- Writing involves putting these building blocks together systematically
- Each block serves a specific function in the overall text
Advantages of a Structural Perspective
- Writing becomes easier and more systematic
- Application of language to function
- match language skills to specific purposes
- Applicable to all major text types
- universal approach
KEY STEPS:
- Identify Structure!
- Focus on Function!
- Learn Functional Language!
- Apply to Writing!
Text Analysis Example: Formal Email
Sample Email:
To: harris.a@tu.ac.ie
From: mfaraday@reedtech.ie
Subject: Invitation to Renewable Energy Presentation
Dear Dr. Harris,
My name is Michelle Faraday and I am writing on behalf of Reed Technologies plc to invite you to attend an upcoming event.
Due to your institution having worked with Reed Technologies plc in the past, we would like to invite you to a presentation on renewable energy which will be held at the Arnolds Conference Centre in Dublin between 3pm and 8pm on the 15 November 2023.
If you would like to attend, please confirm your attendance by replying to this email.
I look forward to receiving your reply.
Yours faithfully,
Michelle Faraday
PR Manager
Reed Technologies plc
Exercise 1: Identifying Structure
Task:
- Divide the email into different parts
- Draw boxes or lines to indicate each section
- Give each part a functional name (e.g., [GREETING])
- Focus on paragraphs or obvious identifiable parts
- This creates the PRIMARY STRUCTURE
Discussion Points:
- Why divide the text this way?
- Compare your divisions with others
- Are the divisions the same?
Note: There's no absolutely right answer - texts can be divided different ways, but there should be functional logic
Formal Email Structure Framework
PRELIMINARIES:
- Sender
- Recipient
- Subject Line
BODY:
- Greeting
- Purpose
- Detail
- Action/Conclusion
- Sign Off
Exercise 2: Applying the Structure
Task:
• Mark where each structural part appears in the sample email • Focus on the body sections (preliminaries are self-explanatory)
Reflection Questions:
• Are your divisions similar to the provided structure? • Do they fit neatly and make sense? • Why or why not?
Functions and Language Connection
Key Benefits:
- Individual parts = Individual functions
- Match language needs to specific functions
- Understand relevant grammar for each text type
- Narrow down language options - gives confidence without needing to know every grammar point
Structural Breakdown with Examples:
Subject Line
"Invitation to Renewable Energy Presentation"
Greeting
"Dear Dr. Harris,"
Purpose
"My name is Michelle Faraday and I am writing on behalf of Reed Technologies plc to invite you to attend an upcoming event."
Detail
"Due to your institution having worked with Reed Technologies plc in the past, we would like to invite you to a presentation on renewable energy taking place at the Arnolds Conference Centre in Dublin between 3pm and 8pm on 15 November 2023."
Action/Conclusion
"If you would like to attend, please confirm your attendance by replying to this email. I look forward to receiving your reply."
Sign Off
"Yours faithfully, Michelle Faraday, PR Manager, Reed Technologies plc"
Conclusion: Benefits of Structural Approach
Structure Benefits:
- Texts are structured - recognizable patterns
- Systematic and easier - step-by-step process
Function Benefits:
- Part-by-part analysis - break down complex tasks
- Targeted language application - focus on relevant skills
A structural approach simplifies texts by dividing them into functional parts that make them easier to construct and help indicate what language skills to focus on.
Using the Rubric for Planning and Drafting
Remember: Three Key Sections
- Content
- Structure
- Language
Planning Process:
- Think about all three sections before writing
- Plan accordingly - don't skip this step
- Use exam time for planning- it's worth the investment
Revising the Content
Content Checklist:
- Format correctness - spacing and indenting used correctly?
- Information balance - enough or too much for the reader? (follow word count guidelines)
- Relevance - all content relevant to the task?
- Paragraph type - writing the right type (chronological, compare/contrast, etc.)?
Revising the Organization
Structure Process:
- Identify Primary Structure - write down as headings
- Identify Secondary Structure - write underneath primary headings
- Follow exactly when writing - stick to the plan
Revising for Language (Clarity and Accuracy)
Language Checklist:
- Clarity - is information clear and understandable?
- Major grammar issues - consider tense requirements for text type (e.g., chronological = past tense)
- Minor accuracy issues - check for careless mistakes:
- Determiners
- Prepositions
- Auxiliary verbs
- Word forms
- Modals
- Mechanics - correct capitalization and punctuation
Redrafting Practice
Task:
• Take a formal email example that needs improvement • Rewrite it addressing issues in:
- Content
- Structure
- Grammar • Use the structural framework and revision checklists