Abstract:
This study is informed by Systemic Functional Grammar Theory to
analyse the packing of sentence information in the editorials of the Daily
Graphic (DG). It explores the structural types of sentences; compound or
complex sentences which are dominant and how they relate in the editorials
and the ways in which they are combined and oriented in meaning with a broad
outline of a particular framework of systemic functional grammar, clause
complexing. Again, the study explored the communicative implications
encoded in the editorials. The researcher purposively sampled 10 editorials
spanning a period of three months (January to March 2014) and did qualitative
and textual analysis on the issue of clause complexity. The unit for analysis
was the clause complex. In all, there were 158 clause complexes which were
counted with 462 clauses. It was found that the structural type of sentences
which dominate the 10 editorials were complex sentences. This study found
that the ideas presented in the editorials are more of clauses of unequal
statuses. It was observed that editors expand and project their ideas in a
number of ways which Halliday classifies as expansion in three different types;
elaboration, extension and enhancement and projection which also involves
locution and idea. It was realized that the editors used expansion and projection
to convey meaning and also show the relationships between the clause
complexes. The highest frequency was enhancement followed by elaboration
and extension. It was observed that the editors did not depart from the use of
complex sentences in all the editorials. The communicative value put across
indicates that editors use projection to put across their message.
Description:
A DISSERTATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH
EDUCATION, FACULTY OF LANGUAGES EDUCATION,
SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES,
UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, WINNEBA IN PARTIAL
FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD OF THE
MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY (ENGLISH) DEGREE.
OCTOBER, 2015