Linguistics 3160 3.0: Discourse Analysis
Assignment 1
Due: Originally February 12th, 2021
But I will accept it up until February 19th, 2021
Worth: 25%
Analyzing an Oral Narrative of Personal Experience
A. Consider the oral narrative of personal experience that I have posted (both the audio and the transcript) and answer the following questions about the narrative based on the class lecture on oral narratives of personal experience and the readings (i.e., Labov chapter and Cameron (pp. 151-154)). Please note that this is a VERY rough transcription.
In answering the questions, please be clear about what parts of the narrative you are referring to by referring to line numbers and, if necessary, by referring to the actual utterances in the line(s). (This part of the assignment will make up 80% of your grade.)
1. Does this narrative have an abstract? If so, what is it and why would you say that this is the abstract?
2. Provide two examples of orientation clauses from the narrative. Explain briefly why you are calling these orientation clauses.
3. Provide two example of complicating action clauses (i.e., narrative clauses) from the narrative. Explain briefly why you are calling these complicating action clauses (i.e., narrative clauses).
4. Provide the complicating action clause (narrative clause) that resolves the narrative or is the resolution. Explain briefly why you are calling this the resolution of the narrative.
5. Does this narrative have a coda? If so, what is it and why would you say that this is the coda?
6. According to Labov and Waletzky, the function of ‘Assessment’ is to guide the listener with regard to the significance of the narrative or the point of the narrative. In this way, it answers a possible ‘So what?’ question on the part of the listener. First, what do you think the point of this story is? Second, provide one example of external Assessment (where narrator steps outside of the narrative to comment on it) and one example of internal Assessment (Assessment that is part of the narrative) from the narrative. Remember that the ‘Assessments’ you identify should contribute in some way to the point of the story. How do they contribute to the point of the story?
B. For the following italicized referring expressions from the narrative, state which are used exophorically (i.e., deictically) and which are used endophorically. In each case, provide the reasons for your choice, being as specific as you can. This material was covered in the pre-recorded lecture on context and genre. (This part of the assignment will make up 20% of your grade.)
1. Line 2: You have to tell me about this.
2. Line 8: And uhm yeah so my cousin, was on the ground.
3. Line 12: we heard keys coming into our like in the door.
4. Line 15: Because like we were all there.
5. Line 22: So it opens?
6. Line 30: So we’re like, what are you doing?
7. Lines 45-46: Where you can get like a flea market but also you get um speedboats to go to Cozumel.
8. Line 65: Was your boyfriend with you?
