Speaking in Academic Contexts
Rhetorical functions in academic speaking
Examples of texts and language. A good source of language is Leech & Svartvik (1975). Typical rhetorical functions used in academic speaking are:
- Describing objects, location, structure and direction Speaking: Functions 1: Describing
- Reporting and narrating – Speaking: Functions 2: Reporting
- Defining – Speaking: Functions 3: Defining
- Giving instructions – Speaking: Functions 4: Instructions
- Describing processes, developments and operations – Speaking: Functions 5: Process
- Classifying / categorising – Speaking: Functions 6: Classify
- Giving examples – Speaking: Functions 7: Examples
- Including tables and charts – Speaking: Functions 8: Tables & Charts
- Comparing and contrasting: similarities and differences – Speaking: Functions 9: Comparison & Contrast
- Generalising – Speaking: Functions 10: Generalising
- Expressing degrees of certainty – Speaking: Functions 11: Degrees of Certainty
- Expressing reasons and explanations / cause and effect – Speaking: Functions 12: Reasons & Explanations
- Arguing and discussing – Speaking: Functions 13: Arguing & Discussing
- Giving introductions – Speaking: Functions 14: Introductions
- Drawing conclusions – Speaking: Functions 15: Conclusions
