Genre in Three Traditions: Implications for ESL

GENRE THEORY AND ANALYSIS ESP Analyses Swales (1981, 1986, 1990a) describes genres as communicative events that are characterized both by their communicative purposes and by various patterns of structure, style, content and intended audience (1990a, p. 58). New Rhetoric Studies New Rhetoric research describes a body of North American scholarship from a variety of disciplines concerned with L1 teaching, including rhetoric, composition studies, and professional writing. Australian Genre Theories Australian approaches to genre have been centered within a larger theory of language known as systemic functional linguistics, developed by Michael Halliday. The forms of language are defined by Halliday as field (the activity going on), tenor (the relationship between participants) and mode (the channel of communication). These three elements togetgher determine the register of language.

CONTEXTS AND GOALS OF GENRE-BASED PEDAGOGY Contexts ESP: EAP and EPC Classes Scholars have proposed that genre-based applications can help nonnative speakers of English master the functions and linguistic conventions of texts that they need to read and write in their disciplines and professions. New Rhetoric: University and Professions New Rhetoric researchers have predictably been less concerned with the potential of genre theory for teaching text form and more with its role in helping university students and novice

professionals understand the social functions or actions of genres and the contexts in which these genres are used. Australia: Primary, Secondary, and Adult Education