Contextualization

Portuguese is a rich and complex language that allows for precise and detailed communication. One of the most important concepts to understand and use Portuguese correctly is referencing. Referencing is the ability to make reference, that is, to refer to something or someone in a text or discourse. It is part of the so-called textual cohesion mechanisms, which are linguistic strategies used to ensure the connection, unity, and fluency of a text.

Referencing can occur in several ways. The most common ways are anaphora and cataphora. Anaphora occurs when the referent (what is referenced) appears before the element that takes it up. For example, in the sentence "John was late. He ran to school", "John" is the referent and "he" is the anaphoric element that takes up "John". Cataphora occurs when the referent appears after the element that takes it up, as in "He was late, John", where "he" is the cataphoric element that takes up "John".

Relevance of Referencing and Application in the Real World

Referencing is a fundamental element in constructing a coherent and cohesive text. Without it, readers may have difficulty understanding who or what the author is referring to, making the text confusing and ambiguous. In addition, referencing is a key element in argumentation, since it allows previous ideas and arguments to be taken up, reinforcing the reader's persuasion and conviction.

In the real world, referencing is used in all types of texts and discourses, from informal conversations to complex academic texts. For example, in a school assignment, the student can use referencing to take up ideas presented previously and develop them further. In a debate, participants can use it to make reference to opponents' arguments and counter with their own arguments.

Practical Activity: "Referencing Through the Textual Maze"

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to create a "Textual Maze", which is a text in which students must use referencing creatively to guide the reader through a series of ideas and concepts. As part of the project, students will learn to use referencing effectively and will also develop teamwork, time management, and creative thinking skills.

Detailed Project Description

The project will be carried out in groups of 3 to 5 students. Each group will be responsible for creating its own "Textual Maze". The mazes must have a minimum of 1,000 words and must use referencing in several different ways, including anaphora, cataphora, and ellipsis. In addition, the text must be interesting and engaging, aiming to stimulate students' creativity and strategic thinking.

Materials Needed

• Computer with word processor.
• Grammar and referencing books and access to Portuguese language study websites for consultation.

Detailed Step-by-Step

1. Group formation: Students divide into groups of 3 to 5 people.

2. Study on referencing: Each group must study about referencing, its forms of use, and its importance for textual cohesion.

3. Choice of theme: The group must choose a theme for its "Textual Maze". The theme can be any theme, as long as it is appropriate for school and allows for the use of various forms of referencing.

4. Creation of the "Textual Maze": Each group must create a "Textual Maze", which must contain a minimum of 1,000 words and use referencing in several different ways.

5. Collective review: The group must review the text together, ensuring that the referencing is being used correctly and effectively.

6. Delivery of the "Textual Maze": Each group must deliver the final text for evaluation.

Project Deliverables

At the end of the project, students must deliver the "Textual Maze" created and a report on the project. The report must contain:

1. Introduction: In this section, students must contextualize the theme of referencing, its relevance, and application in the real world, as well as the objective of the project and the reason for choosing the theme for the "Textual Maze".

2. Development: Students must explain the theory behind the central theme of the project (referencing), explain the "Textual Maze" in detail, indicate the methodology used, and finally present and discuss the results obtained.

3. Conclusion: Students must retake the main points, explain the lessons learned, and the conclusions drawn about the project.

4. Bibliography: Students must indicate the sources on which they relied to work on the project, such as books, web pages, videos, etc.

This project must be developed and completed within one month, and each student must dedicate five to ten hours of work.