CHAPTER 5 CASE STUDY 1: NAT’S USE OF METAFUNCTIONAL
5.1.3 The Clause Complex System: Clause Combination 119
For a closer look at how clauses are combined to make various kinds of meaning, sentences are divided into clause simplexes (Simplex) and clause complexes (Cl.C). The coding for the analysis follows the notation convention: double chevrons are for enclosing an interrupting clause; double square brackets for an embedded clause; two parallel lines for the clause boundaries. The dependent clauses are in bold type. The sentences containing direct quotations will not be analysed for the clause combination pattern- this is indicated by an asterisk (*). Altogether, the coding system for this part is as follows:
<<interrupting clause>> [[embedded clause]] //single clause dependent clauses * unanalysed sentence
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5.1.3.1 The Thesis Stage
Phase Clause Combination
Content
‘gambit’ Simplex I cl. 1 Currently, most countries confront stagflation of the economy such as expensive goods, oil crisis and unemployment.
Cl.C. I cl. 2 Some people find
cl. 3 it is difficult [[to adapt their lives [[regarding this situation]]]].
Cl.C. II cl. 4 Some people, on the other hand, can easily revolve their lives
cl. 5 to go along with it.
‘elaboration’ Simplex II cl. 6 Success in life is the result of the socio-economic factors.
Simplex III cl. 7 Socio-economic components are essential in building up a strong society and positively [=positive] social behavior combining with financial dimensions with inter-personal or inter-group dynamics.
Simplex IV cl. 9 Socio-economic factors consist of social and economic factors [[that characterise the individual or group within the social structure// including income, education, occupation, health and the environment]]. Simplex V cl.10 Success can be described in many ways; [[for example,
gaining top positions in a company//, having a high salary//, having more time for one’s family//and achieving financial freedom]] Cl.C. III cl.11 Although there are many characteristics [[to define
success in life]],
cl.12 [[having money or wealth]] is the way [[it can be quantified]]
cl.13 as it can lead to a healthy, wealthy and fulfilling life. ‘proposition’ Cl.C. IV cl.14 Therefore, it can be argued
cl.15 that socio-economic factors govern success in life.
‘preview’ Simplex VI cl.16 The purpose of this essay is [[to explain three major factors [[that can impact on how a high salary is earned]]]].
Simplex VII cl.17 The factors are education, health and family income.
5.1.3.2 The First Argument Stage
Phase Clause
Combination
Content
‘hyperClaim’ Cl.C. I cl. 1 Education is an important socio-economic factor
cl. 2 because it allows
cl. 3 people to gain knowledge and skills [[to give them the power [[to achieve gainful employment]]]].
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‘claim’ Cl.C. II cl. 4 People [[who have a good quality education]] have more chances [[to succeed in the future]]
cl. 5 because they will be able to get a higher position
cl. 6 which can lead to [[earning a better salary]].
‘support’ N/A* According to a study by Mclennan, “employed persons with bachelor degrees or higher qualifications were most often employed as professionals, whereas persons with other post-school qualifications were most often working as tradespersons and related workers” (1998, p8). Cl.C. III cl. 7 The article supports
cl. 8 that education significantly affects [[how people are employed]];
cl. 9 that is, most people [[who graduate with a degree]] will probably be employed in a professional capacity. Simplex I cl.10 Those [[who graduate with a diploma from a TAFE
college]] will probably be employed as tradespersons. Cl.C. IV cl.11 From this article, it can be seen
cl.12 that a professional occupation such as doctor, lawyer, lecturer and engineer requires higher qualifications.
Cl.C. V cl.13 To become a doctor,
cl.14 a person needs to complete a minimum bachelor’s degree in medicine and several years of medical practice. Simplex II cl.15 Knowledge [[that doctors gain from their education]] and
hand-on experience from their internship is essential [[for providing accurate treatment to patients]]. Cl.C. VI cl.16 On the other hand, <<cl.17>> they cannot help their
patients in the proper way.
cl.17 <<if doctors cannot apply the knowledge [[they have
learned]],>>
Cl.C. VII cl.18 This proves
cl.19 that education is valuable in society.
‘restatement’ Cl.C. VIII cl.20 Consequently, it is clear
cl.21 that education is an important socio-economic factor [[leading to success in life]].
5.1.3.3 The Second Argument Stage
Phase Clause
Combination
Content
‘hyperClaim’ Cl.C. I cl. 1 Health is another important socio-economic factor
cl. 2 because it helps
cl. 3 people work effectively.
‘claim-1’ Simplex I cl. 4 People [[who take care of themselves]] will have the well being of both physical and mental conditions of one’s body.
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those [[who have poor health]]]]. ‘support-1’ N/A* According to a study by Bloom, “health improvements
accounted for as much as one–third of East Asia’s economic miracle, with formal analysis suggesting that a country can, on average, expect to see per capita incomes grow by an extra 0.3-0.5 percent for every five years it adds to its life expectancy” (2001, p5). Cl.C. II cl. 6 The article supports
cl. 7 that countries with population [[having good health and high life expectancy]] could increase per capita incomes of the countries.
Cl.C. III cl. 8 From this article, it can be seen
cl. 9 that regarding per capita income, theoretically it can be used
cl.10 to indicate [[how much each individual receives the yearly income [[generated in the country]]]].
Simplex III
cl.11 So, high per capita income can imply high income [[one can earn]].
‘support-2’ Cl.C. IV cl.12 Besides, it is noted
cl.13 that at personal and family level, physical and mental wellness is important,
cl.14 benefits everyone
cl.15 and improves the overall quality of life (Gahrmann,
2004, p19.). Cl.C. V cl.16 The article shows
cl.17 that at personal and family level, physical and mental wellness is important
cl.18 because it benefits everyone
cl.19 and improves the overall quality of life.
‘support-3’ Cl.C. VI cl.20 Healthiness helps reduce medical costs and expenditures cl.21 and minimizes unemployment. Cl.C. VII cl.22 From this evidence, it can be seen
cl.23 that healthy people with proper medical care can also work effectively
cl.24 and trend [=tend] to be less absent due to illness.
Simplex IV
cl.25 Work dedication and higher performance can give them more chances for promotion than those [[who have poor health]].
Simplex V cl.26 Professional athletes are a good example [[to show// that good health is a key factor [[to achieve their top performance and career success]]]]. Simplex
VI
cl.27 Illness and injuries can cause them a decline in world ranking and income. ‘restatement’ Cl.C. VIII cl.28 Consequently, it is clear
cl.29 that health is an important socio-economic factor [[leading to success in life]].
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5.1.3.4 The Third Argument Stage
Phase Clause
Combination
Content
‘hyperClaim’ Cl.C. I cl. 1 Family income is another important socio-economic factor
cl. 2 because it can give children more affordable
opportunities [[to achieve more]].
‘claim-1’ Cl.C. II cl. 3 Young people [[growing up in a wealthy family]] usually go to prestigious schools
cl. 4 and get higher education,
cl. 5 have more chances [[to get a good position with a higher salary]].
‘support-1’ N/A* According to a study by Guldi, Page, & Stevens, “family background could affect adult children’s success in both direct and indirect ways” (2006, p1). Cl.C. III cl. 6 The article supports
cl. 7 that parent’s income, occupation and education
significantly affects the success of their children
cl. 8 because family income gives an opportunity for
children [[to access higher education]],
cl. 9 which will later lead to more employment
opportunities after graduation.
Cl.C. IV cl.10 From this evidence article, it can be seen
cl.11 that children from wealthy families trend [=tend] to attend private schools,
cl.12 which offer more educational facilities, equipments and learning support such as modern laboratory equipments and tutoring sessions.
Cl.C. V cl.13 With support given to students, students are likely to academically achieve at secondary level
cl.14 and to continually pursue tertiary education. Simplex I cl.15 Families with low income may not enable [=able] to afford
their children’s education. Simplex II cl.16 Tuition fee is possibly too high. Cl.C. VI cl.17 In Thailand, for example, most well-known universities are
located in Bangkok
cl.18 where the cost of living is relatively high. Simplex
III
cl.19 [[Living in the big city for attending higher education]] could be unaffordable for students from poor families. Cl.C. VII cl.20 Scholarships can fund economically disadvantaged
students higher education
cl.21 but it is [=they are] also highly competitive due to a small number of available scholarships. ‘support-2’ N/A* Furthermore, according to a study by Mayer, “parental
income is positively correlated with virtually every dimension of child well-being that social scientists measure and this is true in every country for which we have data. The children of rich parents are healthier,
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better behaved, happier and better educated during their childhood and wealthier when they have grown up than are children from poor families” (2002, p30). Cl.C. VIII cl.22 The article supports
cl.23 that the children from wealthier families will have more chances [[to succeed// when they grow up [[than those from poorer families]]]]
Cl.C. IX cl.24 From this evidence, it can be seen
cl.25 that people growing up in a wealthy family will probably [^have] a much better lifestyle
cl.26 and be able to afford more luxuries
cl.27 which will increase the stability in life.
Cl.C. X cl.28 On the other hand, a young person [=young people] will find it more difficult
cl.29 if they do not have financial support;
cl.30 for example, <<cl.32>> they will probably try to cure themselves
cl.31 <<when members in a poor family are ill>> cl.32 without seeing the doctor because of lack of money.
Cl.C. XI cl.33 So, they might recover from the illness very slowly cl.34 or possibly a death [=die]. ‘restatement’ Cl.C. XII cl.35 Consequently, it is clear
cl.36 that family income is an important socio-economic factor [[leading to success in life]].
5.1.3.5 The Conclusion Stage
Phase Clause
Combination
Content
‘marker + affirmation’
Cl.C. I cl. 1 In conclusion, this essay shows
cl. 2 socio-economic factors have a lot of impacts on
people
cl. 3 and govern success in life.
‘consolidation’ Cl.C. II cl. 4 These factors, <<cl. 5>> can be used
cl. 5 <<which are education, health and family income,>> cl. 6 to indicate one’s quality of life. Simplex I cl. 7 High family income supports high education. Simplex II cl.8 Good health paves the way [[to learn and work
effectively]].
Simplex III cl.9 High education with family financial support and good health lead to [[having a good position and high income]].
‘close’ Cl.C. III cl.10 In addition, these factors can also be chosen cl.11 to do further analysis on mental happiness gain
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cl.12 instead of [[earning a lot of money]].