International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue IV, April 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Features of Written Discourse

Muhammad Abubakar Abdullahi, Shehu Baraya, Aisha Abubakar Yasmin, Umukalthum Abubakar, Suwaiba Umar Dodo
College of General Studies (English Unit), Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic Sokoto Nigeria

Abstract:-Broadly speaking, the study of written discourse is the study of written language and language use consisting of more than a single sentence, but connected by some system of related topics. The written discourse is often times narrowly construed as a form of corrected sequence of sentences, phrases, this paper attempts to highlight on the features of written discourse as a topic in the linguistic subfield of pragmatics.

Keywords: Written discourse, Language, single sentence

I. INTRODUCTION

Written discourse a topic in a relatively new branch of linguistics called pragmatics. Research on pragmatics can be dated back to ancient Greece and Rome where the term “Pragmatics” was found in late Latin.
Moreover, according to the Advanced Learners Dictionary of current English defines discourse as speech or lecture of a length. Discourse can be anything, a sound or a short conversation, a note or a novel.
While written discourse could be defined as an art of communication which requires the acquisition of some basic skills so as to attain excellence and this come in form of essay, letter, memoranda, minutes, report, bulletin and magazine.

II. HINTS FOR EFFECTIVE WRITTEN DISCOURSE

– Plan the information or message ready.
– Arrange in proper order the information to be sent. (in paragraphs or sub-topics).
– Write the requires message in clear terms and do not withhold information.
– Use punctuations correctly and observe the rules of grammar.
– By logical by presenting your points in sequence.
– In every written discourse, there must be heading or topic followed by the body of what you intend to write, followed by conclusions as well.
– Written discourse may be classified into public written discourse and private written discourse.