ARGUMENTATION AND DISCURSIVE ORIENTATIONS IN SCIENCE EDUCATION

ABSTRACT:

This is a theoretical paper whose aim is to discuss the relevance and the contributions of "discursive orientations" and "sequences' prototypes" for improving discourse analysis in science classes. The "Toulmin's Argument Pattern" has been used by science education researchers as a viable prototype for analysis of the argumentative sequence. We suggest that the prototypes of other relevant sequences (narrative, explicative, descriptive, injunctive and dialogue) can also fruitfully contribute for discourse analysis in science classrooms. From this perspective, we introduce the concept of "discursive orientation" and develop a discussion on how the analytic triad "discursive orientation / didactic goals / discursive didactic procedures" is useful to analyze classroom discourse.

Keywords:
Discursive Orientations; Sequences' Prototypes; Toulmin's Argument Pattern; Discursive Didactic Procedures.