Presented discourse analysis in popular science narratives of discovery

Pilkington, Olga A. (2016). Presented discourse analysis in popular science narratives of discovery. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This thesis reports a study of presented discourse in popular science narratives of discovery in English. It focuses on the fictionalizing role of presented discourse. The thesis proposes minor adjustments to the existing models of presented discourse analysis, dividing discourse presentation into Public Discourse (speech/writing) and Private Discourse (thought). After exploring the forms and functions of discourse presentation in the narratives, the thesis concludes that Private Discourse prefers the forms commonly associated with non-fiction while assigning to them the functions most often observed in fiction. All the forms of discourse presentation in the narratives contain dramatizing properties, yet Public Discourse possesses the highest degree of dramatization. Private Discourse in the narratives possesses communicative properties generally assigned to speech/writing presentation exclusively. Private Discourse is more likely to communicate scientific hypotheses than reveal the inner worlds of actants. The thesis concludes with an examination of presented discourse outside the narratives of discovery. This analysis confirms the phenomena observed in the narratives and reveals a unique feature of presented discourse outside the narratives-the fictionalized reader-a fictional actant created using discourse presentation. The findings of the thesis present a strong argument in favour of fictionality in popular science.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

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