Pw Topics And Guidelines 2007

English Language IV Subjects and Guidelines for Project Work

1. The uses of vague language in Willie Russell’s Shirley Valentine. 2. A study of colloquialism and slang in Willie Russell’s Shirley Valentine. 3. A study of humour in Willie Russell’s Shirley Valentine. 4. A study of women’s language in Willie Russell’s Shirley Valentine. 5. A study of grammar and syntax in Willie Russell’s Shirley Valentine. 6. A study of the spoken mode in Willie Russell’s Shirley Valentine. 7. A study of genre in Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood –detective novel or journalistic fiction?

8. Features of the journalistic style in Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood 9. Features of the legal register in Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood 10. The uses of vague language in Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women. 11. A study of women’s language in Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women. 12. A study of women’s language in Toni Morrison’s Beloved. 13. The opinion-shaping genres in John Fowles’ The French Lieutenant’s Woman. 14. A structural study of John Fowles’ The French Lieutenant’s Woman. 15. The opinion-shaping genres in the printed press –a comparison. 16. The informative genres in the printed press –a comparison.

17. News articles vs opinion articles –a study of thematisation. 18. Neologism and register in the printed press –the language of business and finance. 19. Neologism and register in the printed press –the language of war and conflict. 20. Neologism and register in the printed press –the language of fashion.

21. Neologism and register in the printed press –the language of entertainment. 22. Neologism and register in the printed press –the language of sport. 23. Neologism and register in the printed press –the language of science and technology. 24. Neologism and register in the printed press –the language of politics. Note: (1) Topics can be chosen freely from the list above but no overlappings will be allowed and no additional topics will qualify. (2) Students are requested to work in groups of up to 8 (eight) people and no less than 6 (six).

(3) Students are requested to submit a list with the topics chosen and the names of the students to be dealing with each of them, along with the date for the oral presentation. Such list must be delivered to the assistants or myself no later than September 27th. (4) An abstract of the paper should be turned in by October 4th. (5) Oral presentations of the project conclusions will take place on Monday October 29th and Monday November 5th, at a rate of four 15-minute presentations per class, where the main issues of the projects will be discussed. (6) Papers can take slightly longer to be turned in in order to allow time for any eventual changes or polishing that could become necessary in the course of the oral presentations. (7) Assessment will be based on separate grades for: (a) depth and relevance of treatment of the topic, (b) oral performance in terms of discourse management (fluency, accuracy, appropriateness and phonology) and (c) written paper. Oral presentations will count towards an Oral Mid-term.

Prof. Ana Moldero