AEN 341 GROUP WORK

NUMBER NAME ADMISSION N PHONE NUMB SIGN

UMBER ER
1 APHLINE ODONG E35/2430/2022 0112801268
O
2 OLELA VICTOR O E35/2584/2022 071036384
TIENO
3 JEROME SCHNAC E35/2592/2022 0793832423
KENBURG
4 OMONDI ALPHON E34/6303/2022 0111789942
CE DANGA
5 MERCYLINE OSAN E35/2300/2022 0741 063923
O
6 DANIEL LUSWETI E35/2476/2022 0791802621

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QUESTION 1
(a). One key property of discourse is that it is a complete communicative unit.
This means that it contains and encompasses all elements necessary for effective communication, incl
uding context, coherence, and cohesion.
It integrates various linguistic components to convey a full or complete message or idea, making it mo
re than just a collection of sentences.
Essentially, discourse functions as a holistic entity that facilitates meaningful interaction and understa
nding and that is evident in the whole text.

(b)
(i). Participants
Individuals involved in the communication process, including the writer (as the speaker or addresser),
the students (as the addressees), and the hypothetical participants mentioned in the text (the speaker a
nd their parents).

Writer as Participant: The writer is presenting the information to the students, guiding them on how to
communicate with their parents.

Hypothetical Participants: The speaker (student) and their parents. The relationship between the stude
nt and their parents influences the choice of communication method. For example, a close relationship
might favor a phone call, while a more formal relationship might favor a letter.

(ii). Setting
Definition: The physical or virtual environment where the communication takes place, including the si
tuational context described in the text. Given the lack of a specific time, we can consider the setting to
be contemporary.

Educational Setting: The setting includes the classroom or learning environment where the students ar
e reading and analysing the text.

Contemporary Setting: The various contexts where the student might communicate with their parents,
such as at home (for in-person conversations), over the phone, or through written communication (lett
ers or emails). The contemporary setting is implied by the mention of modern communication method
s like email. This helps the students visualize and consider the practical aspects of each communicatio
n method in today’s context.

(iii). Channel

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 The medium through which the message is transmitted, including verbal, non-verbal, written, and ele
ctronic means of communication.

Educational Channel: The writer uses written text to convey information to the students.

Contemporary Channels: The excerpt mentions several channels: verbal communication (calling or tal
king in person) and written communication (writing a letter or sending an email). The writer explains t
he pros and cons of each channel, helping the students understand the different impacts and appropriat
eness of each method. For example, verbal communication allows for immediate feedback and emotio
nal expression, while written communication allows for more thoughtful and structured messages. Th
e inclusion of email as a communication method indicates a contemporary setting.
QUESTION 2

2 (a)
(i)Recorded versus unrecorded
Spoken communication, like face-to-face conversations or casual phone calls, is generally not recorde
d and thus exists only in the memories of those who were involved. This unrecorded nature means tha
t people often feel free to speak more casually, as they do not expect their words to be referenced later.
Example: The student chatting with the parents about the money typically is not recorded, so both p
articipants might feel free to express opinions or make mistakes without fear that these comments will
come back to them later.
On the other hand, written communication is typically recorded. For instance, emails or letters can be
saved thus giving them a long lifespan, than unrecorded.

(ii). Private versus open: spoken communication is often private hence it typically feels more private
since it happens in real-time, and it is automatically saved or accessible to a broader audience. Creatin
g a sense confidentiality.
However, this can vary depending on the setting. Public speeches, for example, are inherently open,
as they are meant to reach an audience. Written communication can be both private and open. Certain
forms, such as letters and personal texts are intended to be private, the fact that they are recorded mea
ns they can be easily shared or accessed by unintended parties. The illusion of privacy can lead to issu
es, as seen in situations where private emails or text messages have been leaked or forwarded to other
s.
Example Anthony Weiner’s inappropriate messages, initially sent as private exchanges, were later ex
posed to the public, resulting in significant consequences. In contrast, a blog post is purposefully publi
c and crafted with the expectation that many people will read it.
(iii)Formality; spoken discourse is generally more informal and conversational, including contraction
s like (you're, you've, they've). ... You're a college student..., let's look at four major differences.... this
makes the conversation feel more relaxed and friendly. Written discourse tends to be more formal and
structured, strictly following grammatical rules like punctuation marks (,) (.)(?), rather than looking fo

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r a job, you might choose to call your parents or talk to them in person. What's the difference between
writing and talking in these situations?
(iv)Synchronous and asynchronous
Spoken discourse happens in real time thus synchronous. The writer gives a choice of calling your par
ents for money. The phone call to the parent and having real time conversation when the parent answe
rs the call is synchronous communication.
Written discourse is asynchronous as it allows for time to think and revise eg emails, books, letters. T
he writer giving choices of either writing a letter or send an email to the parent are examples of async
hronous communication.
(b)
(i). Recorded vs. Unrecorded
- Spoken Communication: Typically unrecorded, existing only in the memories of participants. This al
lows for more casual and spontaneous interactions.
- Example: A student chatting with their parents about money over the phone. Both parties feel free t
o express opinions or make mistakes without concern for future reference.
- Written Communication: Usually recorded, such as emails or letters, which can be saved and referen
ced later.
- Example: An email sent to a teacher regarding a homework assignment. The email can be saved an
d referred to later if needed.

(ii). Private vs. Open

- Spoken Communication: Often private, creating a sense of confidentiality as it happens in real-time
and is not automatically accessible to a broader audience.
- Example: A private conversation between friends discussing personal matters.
- Written Communication: Can be both private and open. Private messages can be easily shared or acc
essed by unintended parties, while public writings are meant for a wider audience.
- Example: Anthony Weiner’s inappropriate messages, initially private, were later exposed publicly. I
n contrast, a blog post is crafted for public consumption.

(iii). Formality
- Spoken Communication: Generally more informal and conversational, often using contractions and c
olloquial language.
- Example: "You're a college student, let's look at four major differences..." This makes the conversat
ion feel relaxed and friendly.
- Written Communication: Tends to be more formal and structured, adhering strictly to grammatical ru
les.
- Example: A formal letter to a company applying for a job, using proper punctuation and formal lan
guage.

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(iv). Synchronous vs. Asynchronous
- Spoken Communication: Synchronous, happening in real-time.
- Example: A phone call to parents asking for money, where the conversation occurs in real-time.
- Written Communication: Asynchronous, allowing time to think and revise.
- Example: Writing a letter or sending an email to parents requesting money, where the sender can ta
ke time to compose their message.