How To Analyse E-Texts
If you're presented with task involving e-mails, instant messaging/msn, texting, etc. here's a short list of things you can look for and comment upon:
Structure/Discourse
Does the text mimic or utilise any generic conventions of discourse—the letter, the telephone call, etc.—in whole or in part? Do the participants ‘mix and match’? In synchronous CMC especially, how do the conventions of spoken discourse affect the exchange? How do spoken and written features interact? Is the exchange phatic or transactional?
Language—Semantics/ Pragmatics
A general hypothesis is that Netspeak informalises language—is this true in your case? How does the lack of face-to-face discourse affect the user’s choice of vocabulary (i.e., avoiding multiple meanings)? Do the users attempt to clarify meaning? Are there comments or items that require deictic or exophoric reference to clarify their meanings?
Is there use of taboo language—or an attempt to create covert prestige?
Phonology—Prosodics and Paralinguistics
Do the users attempt to replicate prosodic and paralinguistic features—how?
Graphology
Do users manipulate graphics or text? Is there multi-modal communication? How has the user attempted to visually represent him/herself or their emotions?
Grammar/Orthography
Does the need for speed of communication affect (i.e., limit) the range of sentence types and/or functions? Does the text utilise standard English grammar-- or do variations reflect either haste or non-standard (i.e., slang) constructions? Does speed create 'typos', or do the participants utlise non-standard spellings for group cohesion or ironic effects?
Obviously, our old friends "How" and "Why" are absolutely necessary. Having asked a question, and spotted a feature, you must offer some sort of analysis to fully develop your ideas.
You can copy/print this post and bring it to your test on Friday!
