Discourse analysis of purpose, structure and epistemological assumptions within Distinction Level postgraduate studient texts from Apprenticeship genres within three related disciplines.

Findlay, Benjamin (2015) Discourse analysis of purpose, structure and epistemological assumptions within Distinction Level postgraduate studient texts from Apprenticeship genres within three related disciplines. [Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)]

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Abstract

There are about 200,000 non-native English language students studying at postgraduate level

in English in the UK. Many of these students take English for Academic Purposes (EAP)

classes either before or during their studies in order to assist with language difficulties. Two

aspects of this are developing appropriate discourse competence and gaining an understanding

of the genres they must use on their courses. Being able achieve these involves being able to

understand the purpose, structure and underlying epistemology of the texts they are expected

to write.

The extent to which these features are similar across and within target disciplines affects

practical considerations of EAP class groupings and syllabus design. This paper investigates

distinction level student papers from the ‘apprenticeship’ genre family in three related

disciplines in order to investigate these features. The related genres are Hospitality, Leisure

and Tourism Management, Business and ‘soft’ (Biglan, 1973) Engineering.

Results show that there is significant diversity and difference within the texts. This is seen

both within and between disciplines. This finding has implications for how these discourses

should be taught on postgraduate EAP courses.

Item Type: Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)
Depositing User: Gigg, Diane
Date Deposited: 04 Aug 2015 09:33
Last Modified: 19 Oct 2017 14:45
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/29481

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