157 research outputs found
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
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
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
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
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
THE POWER AND POLITICS OF SATIRICAL DISCOURSE IN SOME NIGERIAN NEWSPAPERS
The study examines the satirical style as a source of literary comment
generally and in selected Nigerian newspapers in particular. The objective is
to find out how language is used to create a satirical piece. The study first
looks at stylistics generally, and then focuses on satire as a basic sub-generic
manifestation of literature in which writers employ different stylistic devices
to convey their messages to their readers. It then examines selected
newspaper articles written in the satirical style. The major findings of the
study were that: There is a general lack of knowledge of satire as a stylistic
device and how it could be used effectively, e this device for more than one
reason, which include: as a source of literary fun; to provide variety from
long, boring, conventional articles; and writers find it safer to use this
indirect method of criticizing because of repression fears which, quite often,
are real. The Nigerian reader as well as writer needs more exposure in the
area of language usage so that he can acquire the level of sophistication that
is necessary for him to read and write, understand, and correctly interpret
messages contained in a satiric piece
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