title: A role for genre-based pedagogy in academic writing instruction?: an EAP perspective

authors: Bruce, Ian

subjects: writing

abstract: In this paper I discuss the use of genre as a theoretical construct in academic writing instruction in the context of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses. I begin by considering the notion of discourse competence as a concept that accounts for the knowledge elements and skills employed by expert academic writers, and then consider genre as a way of operationalizing the different elements of discourse competence knowledge for the purpose of writing instruction. I review briefly the diversity of approaches to theorizing genre knowledge, and then present the dual social genre/cognitive genre approach that I have used as a basis for research and course design in an EAP context. I exemplify this model by summarizing the key elements of two studies of research genres in which I have used this model. I conclude with a brief theoretical discussion of the issue of construct validity in relation to using the concept of genre in research that relates to writing instruction.

text: A role for genre-based pedagogy in academic writing instruction?: an EAP perspective In this paper I discuss the use of genre as a theoretical construct in academic writing instruction in the context of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses. I begin by considering the notion of discourse competence as a concept that accounts for the knowledge elements and skills employed by expert academic writers, and then consider genre as a way of operationalizing the different elements of discourse competence knowledge for the purpose of writing instruction. I review briefly the diversity of approaches to theorizing genre knowledge, and then present the dual social genre/cognitive genre approach that I have used as a basis for research and course design in an EAP context. I exemplify this model by summarizing the key elements of two studies of research genres in which I have used this model. I conclude with a brief theoretical discussion of the issue of construct validity in relation to using the concept of genre in research that relates to writing instruction.

year: 2013

title: A comparison of pop-up velocity between younger and older recreational surfers

authors: Enticott, David

subjects: surfing

abstract: Background: The pop-up is the physiological task that places a surfer on a wave. The aim of every recreational surfer is to catch as many open-faced, rideable waves as possible with pop-up velocity being crucial to this. Recent research shows a clear trend of an aging surfing demographic all of whom have the potential to experience an age-related reduction in their pop-up velocity. A slower pop-up would likely limit wave-riding options for these older surfers; therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to determine if age reduces pop-up velocity in intermediate recreational surfers. We hypothesised that pop-up velocity between younger and older recreational surfers would exhibit no statistically significant difference as a result of older surfers having developed efficient movement patterns and skill sets over many years that offset any age-related muscular decrement Methods: Fourteen intermediate recreational surfers (13 males and 1 female) were placed into two groups based on age, a younger group (25.2 ± 9.0 years old, 9.7 ± 10.9 years of surfing experience) and an older group (51.8 ± 6.6 years old, 30.0 ± 9.1 years of surfing experience). The cohort had at least two years surfing experience and did not follow a specific dry-land resistance training programme. Participants completed a simulated pop-up in a controlled laboratory setting with pop-up velocity captured by dual Kistler force plates. A countermovement jump test was also completed by each participant to assess lower-body power and velocity. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV0, and typical error (TE) were calculated to determine inter-group reliability between the older and younger surfers’ pop-up velocity tests and between pop-up tests featuring simulated paddling strokes and those without. An independent samples t-test was conducted to examine the differences between the two age groups’ pop-up velocity and between pop-up tests featuring simulated paddling strokes and those without. The strength of correlation between surfer age and relative maximal power was assessed with Pearson’s r. Results: The test showed good (ICC 0.75-0.90) reliability and no apparent difference between paddle and non-paddle and the older and younger cohorts; however, the CVs all exceeded 10%. The younger group demonstrated significantly quicker surf pop-ups (1.12±0.16 vs 2.03±0.52 s; p = 0.0009; d = 2.21 [1.10, 4.20]) and relative maximal power (53.8±12.9 vs 41.2±2.2 W·kg−1; p = 0.0252; d = 1.28 [2.84, 0.23]) than the older group. Interestingly, the negative coefficient (slope) that described the overall relationship between age and leg power observed (m= -0.53) was attenuated when looking at surfers over the age of 35 (m=-0.10). Discussion: Loss of pop-up velocity can be expected in older surfers but the typical age-related decline in muscle capability may be offset by surfing. The incorporation of dry-land resistance exercise including power and strength training is recommended to improve pop-up velocity and thus wave wave-catching ability and enjoyment in older surfer. These findings demonstrate positive ramifications of participation in surfing and can support longevity in older recreational surfers. Conclusion: Age clearly had a negative influence on pop-up velocity.

text: A comparison of pop-up velocity between younger and older recreational surfers Background: The pop-up is the physiological task that places a surfer on a wave. The aim of every recreational surfer is to catch as many open-faced, rideable waves as possible with pop-up velocity being crucial to this. Recent research shows a clear trend of an aging surfing demographic all of whom have the potential to experience an age-related reduction in their pop-up velocity. A slower pop-up would likely limit wave-riding options for these older surfers; therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to determine if age reduces pop-up velocity in intermediate recreational surfers. We hypothesised that pop-up velocity between younger and older recreational surfers would exhibit no statistically significant difference as a result of older surfers having developed efficient movement patterns and skill sets over many years that offset any age-related muscular decrement Methods: Fourteen intermediate recreational surfers (13 males and 1 female) were placed into two groups based on age, a younger group (25.2 ± 9.0 years old, 9.7 ± 10.9 years of surfing experience) and an older group (51.8 ± 6.6 years old, 30.0 ± 9.1 years of surfing experience). The cohort had at least two years surfing experience and did not follow a specific dry-land resistance training programme. Participants completed a simulated pop-up in a controlled laboratory setting with pop-up velocity captured by dual Kistler force plates. A countermovement jump test was also completed by each participant to assess lower-body power and velocity. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV0, and typical error (TE) were calculated to determine inter-group reliability between the older and younger surfers’ pop-up velocity tests and between pop-up tests featuring simulated paddling strokes and those without. An independent samples t-test was conducted to examine the differences between the two age groups’ pop-up velocity and between pop-up tests featuring simulated paddling strokes and those without. The strength of correlation between surfer age and relative maximal power was assessed with Pearson’s r. Results: The test showed good (ICC 0.75-0.90) reliability and no apparent difference between paddle and non-paddle and the older and younger cohorts; however, the CVs all exceeded 10%. The younger group demonstrated significantly quicker surf pop-ups (1.12±0.16 vs 2.03±0.52 s; p = 0.0009; d = 2.21 [1.10, 4.20]) and relative maximal power (53.8±12.9 vs 41.2±2.2 W·kg−1; p = 0.0252; d = 1.28 [2.84, 0.23]) than the older group. Interestingly, the negative coefficient (slope) that described the overall relationship between age and leg power observed (m= -0.53) was attenuated when looking at surfers over the age of 35 (m=-0.10). Discussion: Loss of pop-up velocity can be expected in older surfers but the typical age-related decline in muscle capability may be offset by surfing. The incorporation of dry-land resistance exercise including power and strength training is recommended to improve pop-up velocity and thus wave wave-catching ability and enjoyment in older surfer. These findings demonstrate positive ramifications of participation in surfing and can support longevity in older recreational surfers. Conclusion: Age clearly had a negative influence on pop-up velocity.

year: 2024

title: The rhetorical organisation of Maori discourse: An illustration

authors: Crombie, Winifred

subjects: Māori medium education

abstract: Almost 20% all Māori students in New Zealand schools are involved in some form of Māori-medium education. These students need to develop competence in using the language for a wide range of purposes. They need, therefore, to understand a range of written discourse conventions. In seeking to assist them in this task, elders and scholars are turning to the works of major Māori figures of the past, works composed when the language was used widely in a range of discourse contexts. However, scholars need ways of analysing these texts and of communicating their findings to others. The primary aim of this paper is to demonstrate one such approach. A single letter of condolence written in Māori is analysed here in terms of rhetorical discourse structure. On the basis of the analysis, a number of hypotheses concerning epistolary discourse in Māori are put forward. The primary hypothesis is that letters of condolence written in Māori by highly competent users of the language are likely to be characterized by an overall Problem-Solution rhetorical prototype involving spiral multilayering.

text: The rhetorical organisation of Maori discourse: An illustration Almost 20% all Māori students in New Zealand schools are involved in some form of Māori-medium education. These students need to develop competence in using the language for a wide range of purposes. They need, therefore, to understand a range of written discourse conventions. In seeking to assist them in this task, elders and scholars are turning to the works of major Māori figures of the past, works composed when the language was used widely in a range of discourse contexts. However, scholars need ways of analysing these texts and of communicating their findings to others. The primary aim of this paper is to demonstrate one such approach. A single letter of condolence written in Māori is analysed here in terms of rhetorical discourse structure. On the basis of the analysis, a number of hypotheses concerning epistolary discourse in Māori are put forward. The primary hypothesis is that letters of condolence written in Māori by highly competent users of the language are likely to be characterized by an overall Problem-Solution rhetorical prototype involving spiral multilayering.

year: 2001-02