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A functional approach to the teaching of coherence in argumentative writing
Author
Lum, Bryan Wai Kit
Supervisor
Wee, Bee Geok
Abstract
The Functional Approach to writing has been applied extensively in writing pedagogy. Despite its wide application, little is written on how this approach can be used to help student writers improve coherence in their writing, an important aspect of good writing. Hence, this study investigated the effect of using the Functional Approach to the teaching of writing on coherence in students’ writing. Specifically, the study looked at whether the explicit teaching of the schematic structure of the argumentative text-type and the meanings and use of cohesive devices is able to help students improve coherence in their writing. A total of six secondary three express students from a neighbourhood secondary school in Singapore were used as subjects in the study and the pre- and post-writing test results were analysed and compared to measure the improvement in coherence. In addition, three raters were also used to judge the improvement in coherence. The findings suggest that at the end of the intervention, the students showed significant improvement in the coherence of their writing. This study has, therefore, contributed to the literature on the Functional Approach to writing.
Date Issued
2006
Call Number
LB1631 Lum
Date Submitted
2006