PREFERENCE FOR RHETORICAL QUESTIONS AS AN INDEX OF TEXTUAL MESSAGE EFFECTIVENESS

This paper examines the rhetorical question (RQ) as a style of literary comment because the conventional essay style of writing has always been the norm in virtually all kinds of prose writing. This is connected with the fact that the latter is easier to write and also understand without the complexities of nuances, understanding satirical implications or metaphorical extensions. Thus, it is easy to conclude that readers will not be favourably disposed to any departure from the norm. But that would be a simplistic explanation. Using an Effectiveness Rating Instrument (ERI),1,550 readers were presented with a text using mainly RQs and the same text using conventional prose here referred to as Alternative Stylistic Option (ASO). Responses were analyzed using cross tabs. It was found that preference for RQs was higher than that of the ASOs. Reasons given for this include the fact that RQs are more realistic and more forceful. Implications of these findings for readers and writers were highlighted

Typology of Rhetorical Questions as a Stylistic Device in Writing

This paper is concerned with the use of rhetorical questions (RQs), a stylistic device often not recognized as such. The problem of reading and writing in a second language in Nigeria and also using different styles apart from the conventional style are examined. The paper also focuses on the impact any stylistic choice has on the reader. Specifically, it examines style and the concept of the RQ as well as identifying typology of RQs (about 8 different types), their characteristics and instances of overlap, their purposes and functions in newspapers and other forms of discourse. The idea is to highlight reasons why teachers and writers should spice up and embellish the variety of styles available for use and also point out to readers and writers which types of RQs have been used as well as the purposes, objectives and the writer’s intention in using that particular style. The paper also looks at the sociocultural and extra linguistic contexts of the use of the RQ on the Nigerian literary scene. The typology is presented in tabular form and each type is discussed with examples. The implications of the use of this stylistic device are pointed out for teachers, students, readers and writers

Managing Language Testing in Nigerian Large Classes: Processes and Prospects

The demand for literacy in a developing country like Nigeria has multiple results such as the expansion, by leaps and bounds, of the average Nigerian classroom. This paper highlights the reasons for large classes in Nigerian secondary schools, the educational and psychological dimensions of language testing in large classes, the challenges of such classes and how they affect achievement and in the long run, the standard of education. It also tasks the proficiency levels of English Language teachers especially in the area of testing and points out new paradigms in language testing, particularly in large classes from the two perspectives of human and infrastructural development, and teacher empowerment and initiatives. The study suggests methods of improving language testing in large classes through pragmatic techniques

A Socio-Cultural Analysis of Yoruba Discourse Patterns in selected Child Welfare Clinics in Southwestern Nigeria

This paper is the report of a study that examined discourse patterns of nurses and mothers at some Child Welfare Clinics (CWCs) in Southwestern Nigeria. It describes and analyzes significant elements of recorded discourse chunks in breastfeeding, ORS/ORT and General cleanliness; as well as discourse strategies employed by interactants of both classifications (nurses and mothers) involved in the socio-linguistic activity, exemplifying how language is used to exercise and buttress relationships in the clinics. The study reveals that communication is primary to effective health care; while both parties were willing to cooperate in order to achieve their main goal. The implication of all these is pointed out while it notes that communication whether in English, the mother tongue or the “father tongue”, is crucial and in this case, effective, educative and entertaining. The study concludes that in order to cope with short-staffing, literacy and education constraints, resorting to indigenous Yoruba discourse patterns and discourse modalities is a viable option in the pursuit of the goals of the Primary Health Care (PHC)

OPINION OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ON THE ROLE OF LITERACY AND THE MEDIA IN LIFE-LONG LEARNING

The paper is a report of a study aimed at examining how the media can complement literacy in the quest for life-long learning. The methodology adopted was t,g administer questionnaires to fifty randomly selected newspaper readers in Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru, Zaria. The major findings of the study include the following: (a) Most newspaper readers read because they want to be informed and educated; (b) The frequency of reading pattern was more of a daily affair; (c) Newspapers hardly carry adverts on the advantages of literacy; and (d) Respondents are of the view that the media is not doing enough to promote literacy. The implications of all these are highlighted. The paper makes suggestions on how the media can assist in promoting literacy, and in the long run, life-long learnin

Integrating Reading and Writing Skills in Nigerian Schools Using Newspaper Texts

This paper recognizes the fact that in spite of the fact that newspapers and magazines in developed nations are fast moving away from the news stands to the internet, they are still invaluable sources of teaching materials particularly in a developing country like Nigeria where most schools do not have access to the internet. It focused on how to integrate reading and writing skills (using an integrated approach adopted here) which are important precursors in formal language learning by using the newspaper as a resource in teaching operations. The aim is to assist the teacher in finding more options to the perennial problem of lack of textbooks, enhance the reading and writing skills of these students, and forge a link between their newspaper experience and the world outside. It looks at the reading habit of Nigerians in general and with particular reference to the newspaper, explains and gives guidelines to teachers and students on what to focus on when reading and how to read for specific purposes. It then expatiates on the above techniques as well as materials which are then used in assisting the students’ writing strategies. The paper concludes by making relevant suggestions to teachers, students as well as the average newspaper reader. Date: 201

Using Community and Extension Services in Enhancing the Women Literacy Programme: Implications for Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

This paper focuses on the problem of illiteracy in Nigeria. It takes a look at how the Nigerian university, through its various centres and institutes, can contribute effectively by means of community and extension services,· towards the eradication of illiteracy. It then examines the literacy programmes run by the defunct Centre for Adult Education and Extension Services (CAEES) of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Samaru, Zaria. The Centre was running diploma and certificate courses and programmes before it was permanently scrapped in 1996. • If community service is a prerequisite for the university, then it is necessary that ABU should take another look at its programmes, especially as their absence has negative effects on illiterate women. One of the recommendations made was the ·urgent need to review and revive the Adult Education Section because of the huge contribution it had made in the past (and the enormous contribution we envisage it would make in the future) towards mass and, most especially, the women literacy programme (WLP). It was also suggested that a needs assessment survey should be carried out so that the Centre can make provision for their various needs in order to offer them not just basic literacy skills, but productive vocational training so that they can become skilled in income~generating activities that would help to raise the living standard of their familie

Perception of Undergraduate Newspaper Readers on the Role of the Media in Literacy Development in Nigeria

This study investigated the perception of undergraduate newspaper readers at the Covenant University, Ota, Southwestern Nigeria, on how literacy and the media can interact to achieve enhanced language use. A questionnaire was administered to a purposively selected sample of two hundred and twelve subjects and the results were statistically analyzed using chi square and cross tabs. It was found, among other things, that although most newspaper readers read because they want to be informed and educated, some are discouraged from reading because of the level of language use in some of these papers. In spite of geolinguistic and socio-cultural differences, the study shows that the perception of literacy among Nigerian undergraduates remain basically the same; and readers are of the opinion that the media can promote both literacy and language use/development, particularly in a second language situation such as Nigeria. The implications of the findings are highlighted and conclusions are drawn