The discursive modes are the different ways in which a text can be constructed to achieve the communicational goal that is intended by the person who prepares it.
In this case, the word"discourse"takes on a broader meaning than that which is generally attributed to it, almost exclusively related to the exposition or public reading of a text addressed to the masses.
Here is called a speech to all the ideas, knowledge or feelings that the sender expresses to an audience, regardless of their size. Such speech can be written or spoken.
Seen in this way, the discursive modes are the conventions that the sender uses to express his ideas. It also has to do with how to organize the text, to achieve the goal set.
Depending on the intention of the communicator, some modes will work better than others, being able to use any of them in a discretionary way throughout the speech.
We will now describe the most common discursive modes with some examples.
Classification of discursive modes and examples
There are several classifications of the discursive modes:
- According to the language: verbal and nonverbal
- According to the type of text: scientific, literary, journalistic or colloquial.
- According to textual prototypes: narration, description, exposition, argumentation and dialogue.
- According to the content : has to do with how the ideas are expressed throughout the text or speech. They are best known as"discursive modes". They are:
1- Definition
Name and explain the meaning of a statement, idea or object. It is precise and delimited.
Example:
"According to the Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy, the discourse is the reasoning or exposition of some extent on some subject, which is read or pronounced publicly."
2- Demonstration
Checks and affirms what is stated in the speech through evidence and evidence, results of previous research, ideas or opinions of third parties that endorse what has been said by the author.
Example:
"Although Nicholas Copernicus was given the discovery and postulation of the heliocentric theory, it was later demonstrated that other scientists before him, such as Aristarchus of Samos, Hipparchus and Galileo Galilei himself, had already done research showing that the sun was the center of the universe".
3- Comparison
Two or more facts are presented to make comparisons, to establish similarities or differences between them.
Example:
"The cell phone model H2 has 8Gb memory and a lithium battery with duration of up to 36 hours; while the new Y2 model expands its memory to 16Gb, the battery life is up to 96 hours and recharges in only 15 minutes."
4- Specification
The specification details details of the facts or issues that the author wants to present, so that their interlocutors can have as much detail as possible.
Example:
"The behavior of the apes to be reincorporated into their natural habitat, did not go too far from the one they had in captivity: their way of feeding themselves, their grooming practices, their way of entertaining and mating, and even their attitudes in the face of imminent danger, were similar to those they had during the experiment."
5. Refutation
The refutation denies, does not know or contests any fact or statement. The author has arguments to overturn ideas that have previously been expressed in reference to the subject of his speech.
Example:
"I do not agree with the theory put forward by the lawyer colleague, since if the accused had actually committed the crime, his fingerprints would have been found on the weapon, which did not happen, and the eyewitnesses had recognized the accused, which could not be determined either."
6- Enumeration
It serves to point out and prioritize arguments or facts. The author makes an enumerated enumeration of the parts of a content that interests him to disaggregate for his better understanding.
It is particularly useful when you want to highlight qualities or characteristics of a product, idea or action and is mainly used when there are more than three characteristics to list. Otherwise, the enumeration loses meaning.
Example:
"With this new detergent you will be able to: 1. Wash more dishes with less product; 2. Rinse them faster and with less water; 3. Cut the fat more effectively; 4. Protect your hands from abrasive ingredients; 5. Collaborate with the protection of the environment, as it is a 100% natural and ecological detergent".
7- Exemplification
Similar facts are taken or hypothetical facts are produced in order to better explain some argument, idea or fact.
The intention of the author, in this case, is that his audience understand better through examples or situations that are closer or more understandable.
Example:
"This decision to regulate prices will bring disastrous results, such as a high shortage and a rise in prices on the black market; the same consequences we had with last year's controls."
8- Reference
Cases or particularities are related to the fact that the author expresses to expand the content and to give a deeper and more complete explanation to his argument.
Example:
"To better understand the theory of relativity, we recommend consulting the following link."
9- Recapitulation
When an exposition becomes very extensive or complex, recapitulation is a useful resource to bring back to the discourse what may have been forgotten.
It also serves to review the order of occurrence of the facts or the parts in which they are composed.
Example:
"To refresh everything so far, let us remember then..."
10- Enlargement
This resource is used by the narrator to detail with greater emphasis and depth certain aspects that, in his opinion, deserve to be enriched.
Example:
"We have already said that the weather in general is good at this time of year, but it is necessary to take into account certain climatological aspects that we will detail below."
11- Synthesis
It is the summary of the speech, where the facts are brief and brief, but at the same time as complete as possible, highlighting what, in the opinion of the author, is the most important.
Example:
"Summarizing: the main discursive modes are: definition, demonstration, comparison, specification, enumeration, refutation, exemplification, reference, recapitulation, extension and synthesis".
References
- Guillermo Ulises Vidal López. Reading and writing workshop II. Cengage Learning Publishers. Mexico.
- Carlos A. Zarzar Charur. Reading, Oral Expression and Writing 1. Editorial Group Patria. Mexico.
- The discursive modes. Forgot password?
- Discursive modes, Definition. Recovered from prepafacil.com.