An examination of processes and structures in oral narrative discourse in an educational context

Abstract

Thesis: The structures and processes used in narrating are reflective of processes of thought. These processes will determine the grammatical structures selected to represent them. The nature of the story idea is related to the level of commitment to, and involvement with" the telling as social Interaction. Texts: The thesis is based on two texts, the first, an oral narrative telling of an event in family history, and the second, several group constructed endings to a traditional oral tale. Each text consists of several tellings, as well as questioning and discussion of the story. The thesis is in two parts, corresponding to these texts.ArgwmeM:1. The child telling is in dialogue with previous telling voices.2. The child constructs 'history' through a search for meaning at the present time.3. Questions open up spaces in a narrative in which the child works on meaning.4. The child uses language in specific ways to achieve specific narrative outcomes.5. As the narrative develops, further voices from the storying event shape the story.6. The question in the story becomes a tool for realizing thought.7. The nature of the story determines the nature of the thought provoked.8. Stages in constructing a story can represent stages in an argument.9. Thought, as it is realized, may be represented in text.10. The time of narrating Is the time of story innovation and change for the teller.