Contextualization

Textual genres are often considered as "types" or "species" of texts and are closely linked to the context in which they are produced. They are indispensable tools in communication and expression of human thought through written language. Because it is a topic of substantial importance, this project aims to explore and understand the complexity and diversity of textual genres.

Textual genres are concrete linguistic phenomena that are embedded in our daily lives, allowing us to perform social actions (conversing, informing, convincing, arguing, negotiating...). They are socially and historically defined, characterizing the cultural and social life of a community.

In the discipline of Portuguese Language, recognizing and producing different textual genres is an essential aspect of communicative competence. Furthermore, in an increasingly interconnected and globalized world, skills such as interpreting and producing texts of various genres are highly valuable, both for academic and professional life.

To deepen your studies and understanding of textual genres, we suggest the following references:

• Book: "Textual Genres & Teaching", by Marcuschi (2002).
• Nova Escola website: a series of articles on textual genres.
• Khan Academy platform: provides a section dedicated to reading and writing strategies.

Practical Activity: "Exploring the World of Textual Genres"

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to deepen students' knowledge of different textual genres through the study and production of texts. Additionally, it aims to promote collaboration among students through teamwork and stimulate their skills in organization, research, analysis, writing, and presentation.

Project Description

This project will be carried out by groups of 3 to 5 students, with an estimated duration of 15 hours of work per student. The work will involve two subjects: Portuguese Language and History, so that students can contextualize textual genres in the historical evolution of humanity.

Required Materials

• Internet access for research
• Books and articles on textual genres
• Writing and presentation materials (paper, cardboard, pens, computers, presentation software)
• Sound system for the presentation of auditory textual genres.

Project Step by Step

1. Selecting the Textual Genre: Each group should choose, from a list previously prepared by the teacher, a specific textual genre to study.

2. Researching the Textual Genre: Students should conduct in-depth research on the chosen textual genre. The research should address aspects such as definition, characteristics, structure, target audience, famous examples, and the evolution of the genre throughout history.

3. Producing Texts: Each group member should produce a text in the chosen genre. The texts should be shared and discussed within the group to enhance writing and understanding of the genre.

4. Presentation: The group should prepare a presentation for the class on the researched textual genre. The presentation should include the research results and the produced texts. It should also encourage interaction with the class, through activities such as quizzes, debates, or collective reading.

5. Final Report: Finally, the group should produce a report on the work done. The report should contain information about the research (theory), text production (practice), and presentation (practice), as well as reflections on the group's learning.

Project Deliverables

The final project delivery will be divided into two parts: the oral presentation to the class and the submission of the written report.

The presentation should be clear, interactive, and informative, providing a comprehensive overview of the researched textual genre and the produced texts.

The report should follow the standard structure (Introduction, Development, and Conclusion) and be subdivided into four main sections:

1. Introduction: The student should contextualize the researched textual genre, its relevance and application in the real world, and the project's objective.
2. Development: In this section, the student should explain the theory behind the textual genre, detail the activity, indicate the methodology used, and finally present and discuss the produced texts.
3. Conclusion: In the conclusion, the group should summarize the key points of the work, explaining the learnings obtained and the conclusions about the project.
4. Bibliography: The group should indicate the sources on which they relied for the project.

The conclusion of the project will provide students with in-depth knowledge of the chosen textual genre and skills in research, textual production, presentation, and teamwork.