Lecture 5: Written Discourse

Whoa~ Imagine going through all copies and copies of essays over and over again. I really respect those studying or examining on written discourse. They dont only have to read the essay but analyze the content and expressions as well.

Discourse in letter writing is something that I have nv thought about. Since Primary or Secondary school, our teachers have been advocating the "format" in writing letters:

- Salutation

- Headline of your topic

- Identification

- Compliments

- Objectives of letter

- Compliments again

- Signing off

Well, this was how we were taught to score :) However, it is interesting to see how different cultures write differently on the same topic. This tells us how much writing reflects one's culture or one's way of reading and speaking.

But at least, as compared to Spoken Discourse, there wont be much of a problem here since English is pretty universal and what’s more, its written down.

Well, think twice after reading these wacky labels:

On a Sears hairdryer:

Do not use while sleeping.

(Damn, and that's the only time I have to work on my hair).

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On a bag of Fritos:

You could be a winner!

No purchase necessary.

Details inside.

(the shoplifter special)?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On a bar of Dial soap:

Directions: Use like regular soap.

(and that would be how???....)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On some Swanson frozen dinners:

Serving suggestion: Defrost.

(but, it's "just" a suggestion).

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on bottom):

Do not turn upside down.

(well...duh, a bit late, huh)!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding:

Product will be hot after heating.

(...and you thought????...)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On packaging for a Rowenta iron:

Do not iron clothes on body.

(but wouldn't this save me more time)?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On Boot's Children Cough Medicine:

Do not drive a car or operate machinery after taking this medication.

(We could do a lot to reduce the rate of construction accidents if we could just get those 5-year-olds with head-colds off those forklifts.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On Nytol Sleep Aid:

Warning: May cause drowsiness.

(and...I'm taking this because???....)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On most brands of Christmas lights:

For indoor or outdoor use only.

(as opposed to...what)?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On a Japanese food processor:

Not to be used for the other use.

(now, somebody out there, help me on this. I'm a bit curious.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On Sainsbury's peanuts:

Warning: contains nuts.

(talk about a news flash)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On an American Airlines packet of nuts:

Instructions: Open packet, eat nuts.

(Step 3: maybe, uh...fly Delta?)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On a child's superman costume:

Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly.

(I don't blame the company. I blame the parents for this one.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

On a Swedish chainsaw:

Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals.

(Oh my God ...was there a lot of this happening somewhere?)

Haha, i was laughing hard when i came across this.. Hope you enjoyed it :)

Putting it in a much broader view, text is basically a very important interaction between the writer and the reader. The writer writes with a purpose in mind, and he or she has to write it in a way that the reader understand. The reader on the other hand, has to interpret the text carefully so as to not be misunderstood by what the writer is saying. Sometimes, as can be seen from the above, the writer is not even clear what they want to write or the intended effects that the writings will have on its readers.