An investigation into the discourse features of reading passages in english coursebook “nursing1” by tony grice

Abstract

This thesis investigated reading passages in English coursebook “Nursing1 ” (ECN) by Tony Grice in terms of syntactic features, lexical features and cohesive devices. The thesis was carried out by using the descriptive and analytic methods to classify, describe and analyze reading passages in ECN. In the aspect of syntax, types of sentences; the passive voice; comparative constructions; tenses and moods were classified. In the aspect of lexis, word formation; acronyms; expression of time, place purposes; and pronouns were investigated. In the aspect of cohesive devices, some devices were used to make the text more coherent such as lexical reiteration, reference and transition signals. The data analysis showed that among all four types of commonly used sentences in ECN, complex sentences was performed in the highest percentage. Similarly, the occurrence of unequal comparison, subject elimination in the passive voice, present tenses and indicative mood were the highest in the reading passages. The finding from data analysis also identified that derivation through the addition of an affix and compounding were the two most commonly used types of word formation in ECN. Unexpectedly, some acronyms were found in the data. Besides, among a lot of expressions of time, places, and purposes in the data, expression of time were used with the highest frequency. Of four types of pronouns, subjective pronouns are used the most frequently and in two sets of possessive forms, possessive substitutional pronouns were not found. In terms of cohesive devices, it was found that the highest frequencies used in the data were repetition, personal reference and clause connectors. This study might lay the foundations to suggest some implications for the teacher on what and how to teach English to medical students in order to improve their reading skill. In addition, some suggestions for further research were also touched on at the end of this thesis