Discourse Case

In the reseach on discourse functions, the accent is on objectives and effect. In practice, discourse studies defines three different objectives. There are derived from the three functions of language given in the organon model (see section 2.1). if the symbol aspect of language , the refference to reality, is predominant ,then the objective is the transmission of information. If the accent is on the symptom aspect, then the objective is expression ,e.g., in a story or in poetry . when the signal aspect is accentuated, then the objective is persuasion,for example in an argumentative text. In schematic form this becomes:

(5) the three main objectives of discourse

Symbol information informative discourse

Symptom expression narrative discourse

Signal persuasion argumentative discourse

It is not often the case that these objectives occur in their pure form. A writter can tell a story in order to persuade people about a certain issue this three-part division says something about aspects of language that can play arole simultaneously. Entirely different objectives are also possible. For instance , language can be used to conceal information. The objective of language could be to break the silence or to instill a feeling of camaradie. In the latter case, it is called 'phatic communion'. An example of this is:

(6) A: Nice weather ,isn't it?

B: Yes, and it's about time too

Discourse studies concentrates on the study of effect: the result of attempts to transmit information or to persuade. Narrative discourse has mainly been relevant for research done on story retention by readers, which is, in fact, research into ve an optimal effect?information transmission.

The most important questions in effect research are the following :1. Which requirements must discourse produced for a specific target group fulfill in order to achieve an optimal effect?2. how does the transmition o