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
2. Reporting and narrating
3. Defining
4. Giving instructions
5. Describing processes, developments and operations
6. Classifying / categorising
7. Giving examples
8. Including tables and charts
9. Comparing and contrasting: similarities and differences
10. Generalising
11. Expressing degrees of certainty
12. Expressing reasons and explanations / cause and effect
13. Arguing and discussing
14. Giving introductions
15. Drawing conclusions

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