Speaking in Academic Contexts

Rhetorical functions in academic speaking

Examples of texts and language. A good source of language is Leech & Svartvik (1975). Typical rhetorical functions used in academic speaking are:

1. Describing objects, location, structure and direction Speaking: Functions 1: Describing
2. Reporting and narrating - Speaking: Functions 2: Reporting
3. Defining - Speaking: Functions 3: Defining
4. Giving instructions - Speaking: Functions 4: Instructions
5. Describing processes, developments and operations - Speaking: Functions 5: Process
6. Classifying / categorising - Speaking: Functions 6: Classify
7. Giving examples - Speaking: Functions 7: Examples
8. Including tables and charts - Speaking: Functions 8: Tables & Charts
9. Comparing and contrasting: similarities and differences - Speaking: Functions 9: Comparison & Contrast
10. Generalising - Speaking: Functions 10: Generalising
11. Expressing degrees of certainty - Speaking: Functions 11: Degrees of Certainty
12. Expressing reasons and explanations / cause and effect - Speaking: Functions 12: Reasons & Explanations
13. Arguing and discussing - Speaking: Functions 13: Arguing & Discussing
14. Giving introductions - Speaking: Functions 14: Introductions
15. Drawing conclusions - Speaking: Functions 15: Conclusions