The combination of discourse types
By Debbie Harris, Contributor

ALTHOUGH EACH discourse type or rhetorical mode, as it is also called, was discussed separately in last week's lesson and although each type or mode was found to have its own purpose or function, more often than not the types are combined.

It can be expected that there might be some description intertwined with narration, and nearly all arguments have some exposition. In such combinations one of the types is usually controlling the primary function of the text and the others, secondary function(s).

For example, in an expository piece, my primary function is to explain something concrete, however, because of the nature of the object I may need to describe it. In this case my description is the secondary function as it is not only being used in order that you may perceive the object, but also that you understand it or be informed about it. Similarly, if in an article I attempt to convince you about an issue, I may have to explain something relating to the issue so that you may better understand it. Here, my primary type of discourse would be argument/persuasion while exposition would be secondary.

PRIMARY VS SECONDARY MODE

Read the following extract and identify the types or modes used. Say which is performing the primary mode and which is performing the secondary mode(s). Provide support for your choices.

After creating the universe, all the stars, each grain of sand, the humpback whale and the soft-shell crab, even God tired and took a day off.

There's no argument that we humans, who at our best can only create opportunities and at our worst create havoc, need time to rest.

I am not suggesting that vacations are a sacred right on par with the right to vote, hold political office or to subscribe to one hundred magazines in order to compete for a $10 million lottery prize. No, I am merely observing that paltry creatures such as ourselves, who labour two thirds of our lives to oppose gravity and remain erect, require some time to laze on sofas, relax before fireplaces, to recline on white beaches under a benevolent sun.

One would think that those are not inordinate desires. We labour day and night to fill two small sacks in our chests with that which is everywhere available. We hold a torrent of blood inside our bodies which are covered with tissue so thin that if we snag on a nail and do not close the aperture, the precious fluid would run out leaving husks dry and lifeless.

All that is to say we work even when we are unaware of our efforts. So, we do need rest periods. However, there is that about us so perverse that even on a much needed and hard-won holiday, we feel the irresistible need to spin and toil.

On a beach in Mexico I sat near an artisan who had made some objects for sale. There were ash-coloured birds, vases and other knickknacks, along with brushes in jars and bottles of paint.

I settled down comfortably, expecting to watch him turn the clay-coloured objects into gay souvenirs. However, the man did not take up the brushes, nor did he touch the paint.

In moments, a line formed before his table and buyers began to bargain. At each sale, the buyer was given a seat, which was taken eagerly. One woman noticed that I was watching. She smiled at me, a cat-with-bird-in-mouth smile.

Here we get to paint them ourselves. Then I noticed the seller's sign, THINGS, HAND PAINTED.

I almost laughed aloud. These were tourists who had paid good money to come to Mexico to relax and here they were, working at something that if they had been asked to do, they would have declined without even thinking about it.

I was amazed at how they were squandering their free time, so what did I do? I rushed to my room, unpacked my yellow pads, got out my pen, dictionary and thesaurus, and sat down and took three days of my vacation to write this essay ­ Vacationing in Even the Stars Look Lonesome by Maya Angelou, 1997

Read this text carefully and complete the given task. Next week, I will provide a suggested response on it for you.

Here is the suggested answer to last week's exercise:

1 argument: 2 narrative: 3 descriptive: 4 expository

Until next week, walk good!