We have discussed how context becomes important in interpreting discourse. Below you will find an excerpt of text between a witness to an armed robbery (W) and a policeman (P). (W) is shaken by the experience and (P) is recording the information elicited in writing. Keep in mind as you answer the questions below that you must provide evidence directly from the text. You may refer to the line number in your evidence. P: Did you get a look at the one in the car? W: I saw his face, yeah. P: What sort of age was he? W: About 45. He was wearing a .... P: And how tall? W: Six foot one. P: Six foot one. Hair? W: Dark and curly. Is this going to take long? I've got to collect the kids from school. P: Not much long, no. What about his cloths. W: He was a bit scruffy-lookin 1. How would you define the function of the text? 2. Describe the type of relationship between each of (W) and (P). (hint: think in terms of power structure) 3. Does (P) attempt to put (W) at ease in any way? If yes indicate where, if no how might (P) mitigate (make less painful) (W's) experience. Be specific. 4. In turn 5, (P) does something. What is it that he does? Why does he do this? (hint: look at turn 4) 5. Examin turn 7. Why does (P) say "six foot one"? 6. Who is controlling the conversation? Provide specific instances with explanations to support your claim. 7. How might you make this interaction "sound" more socially polite? 8. Is there any struggling happening in the conversation on (W's) part? In other words, if there appears to be "socially problematic discourse, what is (W's) reaction to it? (hint: look carefully at each turn) 9. What genre is this discourse? 10. Would you consider this a successful communicative event? If so, what is the social and cultural background required to make this successful? 2 We have discussed how context becomes important in interpreting discourse. Below you will find an excerpt of text between a witness to an armed robbery (W) and a policeman (P). (W) is shaken by the experience and (P) is recording the information elicited in writing. Keep in mind as you answer the questions below that you must provide evidence directly from the text. You may refer to the line number in your evidence. P: Did you get a look at the one in the car? W: I saw his face, yeah. P: What sort of age was he? W: About 45. He was wearing a .... P: And how tall? W: Six foot one. P: Six foot one. Hair? W: Dark and curly. Is this going to take long? I've got to collect the kids from school. P: Not much long, no. What about his cloths. W: He was a bit scruffy-lookin 1. How would you define the function of the text? 2. Describe the type of relationship between each of (W) and (P). (hint: think in terms of power structure) 3. Does (P) attempt to put (W) at ease in any way? If yes indicate where, if no how might (P) mitigate (make less painful) (W's) experience. Be specific. 4. In turn 5, (P) does something. What is it that he does? Why does he do this? (hint: look at turn 4) 5. Examin turn 7. Why does (P) say "six foot one"? 6. Who is controlling the conversation? Provide specific instances with explanations to support your claim. 7. How might you make this interaction "sound" more socially polite? 8. Is there any struggling happening in the conversation on (W's) part? In other words, if there appears to be "socially problematic discourse, what is (W's) reaction to it? (hint: look carefully at each turn) 9. What genre is this discourse? 10. Would you consider this a successful communicative event? If so, what is the social and cultural background required to make this successful? 2