An examination of genres and text-types in written Māori discourse: Analysis and pedagogic implications

Abstract

The overall aim of this research project is to determine what genres and text-types are most commonly required of students at upper secondary and tertiary levels in Māori-medium educational settings (Chapter 4), and to further determine, in relation to the analysis of authentic texts written by educated users of the language who have a high level of proficiency, how such genres and text-types are typically structured (Chapters 5 and 6). It is intended that this information should provide teachers and students with a solid foundation for the development of the skills required to create written texts in Māori that are structured in ways that are as close as possible to authentic discourses written by educated and highly proficient users of the language (Chapter 7). The thesis begins by providing some background to the research and outlining the primary aims, research questions and research methods (Chapter 1). This is followed by a critical review of some general landmark publications in the area of genre and text-type (Chapter 2).More pedagogically-centred, process-oriented approaches to genre and text-type are then critically reviewed in the context of the design of the model which underpins the analyses conducted in the following chapters.