Discourse Structure and Anaphora : Written and Conversational English

This study uses conversation analysis and rhetorical structure analysis to look at the distribution of pronouns and full noun phrases in three different genres of English. It considers the hierarchical structure of text and the significance of social, interactional and affective factors for text organisation.

Barbara Fox''s thoughtful study examines the use of anaphora in written and spoken discourse. Any treatment of anaphora must consider the hierarchical structure of its source text-types. Texts may be produced and heard or read linearly, but they are designed and understood hierarchically. Discourse structure and anaphora goes beyond the information processing concerns of cognitive science to assess the critical role played in all text-types by social, interactional and affective factors. It also takes into consideration the fact that texts are organised by socially accepted conventions. Using conversation analysis and rhetorical structure analysis. Discourse structure and anaphora looks at the distribution of pronouns and full noun phrases in three different genres of English. The data are taken from naturally occurring face-to-face and telephone conversations, small newspaper and magazine articles, and segments of a psychoanalytic biography. It is a subtle and detailed investigation which provides many insights into the informational and interactional aspects of discourse and the relationships between discourse and grammar.