Introducing Functional Grammar [Paperback]

Geoff Thompson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 27, 1996 | ISBN-10: 034062535X | ISBN-13: 978-0340625354

Closely based on Michael Halliday's Introduction to Functional Grammar, this book is an accessible introduction to the most fully developed functional approach to grammar currently available.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Its language...is so friendly, clear and at the same time scientific that the reader feels he is in a classroom listening to the lecturer. ... This textbook is a very useful source for learning functional grammar."--Linguist List --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Geoff Thompson, Lecturer in Applied Linguistics, University of Liverpool.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Hodder Education Publishers (September 27, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 034062535X
• ISBN-13: 978-0340625354
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,976,967 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Clears the Air, August 23, 2006

By 

James D. Dvorak (Edmond, OK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introducing Functional Grammar (Paperback)

For any of you who have read Halliday and Matthiessen on Functional Grammar, you know that it is a good and necessary book. But you also know that it is very often frustrating to follow and comprehend. If that is your experience, then you need to purchase Thompson's text. Thompson's work is very closely based on Halliday and Matthiessen (3rd ed), but makes the theory so much easier to grasp!

First, Thompson's book is engaging. I read the first 3 chapters (introductory matters: purpose of linguistic analysis, recognizing clauses and learning terminology, and an overview of functional grammar along with terms) so quickly I was surprised. Thompson's use of illustrations and embedded exercises drew me into the text and the theory (and gave me that ever-so-important "I'm getting this" feeling).

Second, though Halliday and Matthiessen organize their book around the metafunctions of grammar, they often "jumped ahead" to introduce or cover material that should have been left until its time had come, which would have created less confusion. Thompson, though organizing his book around the metafunctions, does not jump around too much. He is very patient. I got the sense that he is a teacher and knows his "students" very well. There is a lot less confusion in Thompson's book as a result.

Third, Thompson has filtered the material and has given what is truly needed for introduction to the theory. There are only 250 pages (not including front or back matter) in this book. The author is concise and to the point, and he demonstrates the principles of the theory in ways that make it accessible.

Finally, the book uses an appropriate number of charts and tables for demonstrating the materials, a fact that visual learners like me will appreciate.

If you are learning Hallidayan Functional Grammar, you must get Halliday and Matthiessen--and you must to get Thompson to supplement.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Necessary Supplement, March 16, 2011

By 

heegwon - See all my reviews

This review is from: Introducing Functional Grammar (Paperback)

If your set text is Halliday and Matthiessen's "An Introduction to Functional Grammar" you'd better buy the Thompson book. It's an easy-to-process supplement to IFG that clarifies many its more complex ideas. It's also compact so it's easy to lug around.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars not a light read, August 26, 2009

By 

Christopher Koch "Nevada LCSW" (Reno, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Introducing Functional Grammar (Paperback)

Exactly what I hoped for and needed. Writing style allows me to get it, layout allows me to find what I need. I will keep this.