Two Genre Of Functional Analysis

This thesis aims at a functional analysis of two discourse genres. Guided by M.A.K.Halliday's systemic functional approach, especially based on Halliday's three Metafunctions-Ideational Function x Interpersonal Function and Textual Function. It investigates the structural features of the two discourse genres and the functional differences between them from the angle of discourse genre. It also attempts to search for the relationship between the discourse genres and their linguistic manifestation.The whole thesis consists of the following three parts :1. The theoretical preliminaries:In this part, the author introduces Halliday's three Metafunctions-Ideational Function. Interpersonal Function and Textual Function.2. The functional analysis of three expositions:In this part, three scientific expositions for children are analyzed through the systemic-functional approach and the obligatory elements are explored which reflect the nature of this discourse genre. That is to say, in Ideational Function: the quantity of relational process and material process is in a dominant position , the type of process is unitary and the passive voice is frequently used -, in Interpersonal Function, both commendatory and derogatory terms are seldom adopted , and declarative sentences play a major role in the discourse: in Textual Functional :the thematic progression bears strong logicality, both conjunction and lexical cohesion are frequently used in the cohesive system. 3.The functional analysis of three narrations:In this part, the author analyses three narrations for children . the obligatory elements which reflect the nature of the discourse genre are presented . That is to say, in Ideational Function :the type of processesabounds , the quantity of the type which bears subjectivity increases and the active voice dominates; in Interpersonal Function :both commendatory and derogatory terms are frequently used and exclamatory sentences more frequently appear; in Textual Function : the thematic progression develops on the characters in stories and a temporal clue is contained.