Cognate Stylistic and Discourse Analysis

Stylistic analysis in linguistics refers to the identification of patterns of usage in speech and writing. Stylistic
analysis in literary studies is usually made for the purpose of commenting on quality and meaning in a text.

Stylistics, in other words, is the study of style used in literary and verbal language and the effect writer or
speaker wishes to communicate to the reader or hearer. It attempts to establish principles capable of explaining
the particular choices made by individual and social groups in their use of language, such as socialization, the
production or reception of meaning, literary criticism and critical discourse analysis. (McGregor, 2009)

Cognates are words that have a common etymological origin. Cognates are often inherited from a shared
parent language, but they may also involve borrowings from some other language.

Discourse analysis, in turn, is composed of a wide range of sub-disciplines, such as pragmatics, conversational
analysis, speech act theory and ethnography of speaking. The discipline studies language used in the context,
so its subject matter is language as a whole, either written or spoken, in terms of transcriptions, larger texts,
audio or video recordings, which provides an opportunity to the analyst to work with language rather than a
single sentence. It is language in use.

Discourse analysis, examines the stretches of language, both spoken and written, larger than the sentence.
It attempts to find regularities in the formation of these stretches, and correlations with grammatical,
phonological, lexical, semantic phenomena. (Gee, 2011)

Linguistics can be defined as the scientific or systematic study of language. It is a science in the sense that it
scientifically studies the rules, systems and principles of human languages. (Bruce M. Rowe, Diane P.Levine,
2009)
(W. Ross Winterword, Patricia Y. Murray, 1985)

Supplementary Pointers for Mid-Term Exam

a) Parts of Speech
 Nouns
 Pronouns
 Verbs
 Adverbs
 Adjectives
 Conjunctions
 Prepositions
 Interjections
b) Subject-Verb-Agreement (Know all the rules especially those that were mentioned in the
discussion)

c) Elements of Short Story

 Literary devices are common structures in writing that make up the components
of literature. We use these devices to help us interpret and analyze literary works.
 Literary elements are the essential parts of storytelling that are found in almost
all types of literary and narrative writing. The following are all literary elements:
plot, character, conflict, setting, theme and point of view.
  The plot is how the author arranges events to develop his basic idea. It is the
sequence of events in a story or play. The plot is a planned, logical series of events
having a beginning, middle, and end.
 Introduction - The beginning of the story where the characters and the setting
are revealed. The introduction can also be called the exposition.
 Rising Action - This is the part of the story were a conflict is revealed (called
the inciting force) and becomes more pronounced as the story progresses. The
rising action is all the events between the introduction and the climax.
 Climax - This is the highest point of interest, the turning point of the story or the
moment of greatest suspense. The reader wonders what will happen next; will
the conflict be resolved or not?
 Falling Action - At this point the events and complications begin to resolve
themselves. The falling action is all of the events between the climax and
resolution.
 Resolution - This is the final outcome or untangling of events in the story. The
resolution may also be called the denouement.
 The plot can only exist with characters. The main character is placed in a situation
that contains a problem he or she must overcome; therefore, conflict exists.
 Protagonist - The main or central character.
 Antagonist - This character opposes the protagonist. Often, he or she is an
opponent to the main character.
 Round (Dynamic) Characters - A character affected by the events of the story.
These characters are usually fully developed in terms of personality. They are
described in more detail and their personalities emerge more fully. Round
characters usually become enlightened, learn, grow, or deteriorate by the end of
the story.
 Flat Character - A character who doesn't go through a change. These characters
are usually one-dimensional.
 Stereotyped Characters - A character who is so well known that little has to be
said about him/her. These characters are immediately recognizable because of the
role he/she plays. Examples - the strong silent gunfighter, the nerd, the beautiful
international spy, the mad scientist.
 External Conflict- A struggle with a force outside one's self. For example, an
issue with another person, a complication of circumstances, or a struggle with the
ideals of society.
 Internal Conflict- A struggle within the character’s self. For example, a decision
has to be made, pain has to be overcome, anger has to be overcome, or temptation
has to be resisted.

(Klages, 2006)

References
Bruce M. Rowe, Diane P.Levine. (2009). A Concise Introduction to Linguistics. Los Angeles: Nancy Roberts.

Gee, J. P. (2011). How to do Discourse Analysis. 270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016: Routledge.

Klages, M. (2006). Literary Theory: A Guide for the Perplexed. New York, NY 10038: Continuum International Publishing
Group.

McGregor, W. B. (2009). Linguistics: An Introduction. 11 York Road, New York: Continuum International Publishing
Group.

W. Ross Winterword, Patricia Y. Murray. (1985). English: Writing and Skills. 1250 Sixth Avenue,San Diego, CA 92101:
Coronado Publishers.