Activity 1

1.2. In the following box, list the passages in which ‘however’ has been accurately and appropriately used.

1.3 In the following chart list the problematic cases and write down a brief explanation about the problem.

Activity 2

Read the following sentences in which however has been used appropriately and follow the instructions given below:

1) Sentences 1-5 emphasize one main theme. Identify this theme and circle it.
2) Sentences 6-10 emphasize two themes. Identify and circle them.
3) In all of the sentences, two features are in contrast. Identify and underline these features.
4) Work out a rule as to when however should be used.

1. Most items in the questionnaire represent statements to which the students responded to on a four-point modified Likert scale ranging from strongly agree, agree, disagree and strongly disagree. However, in the last three items, students were requested to give open answers.	Theme 1: Most items Theme 2: The last three items Contrast: Likert scale vs. open answers
2. Brazil’s average per capita income had fallen from a peak of 25 percent of the U.S. average in the 1960s to just 16 percent by the late 1990s. However, in the last decade, Brazil’s average per capita income began to climb, and it has now risen to roughly 20 percent.	One theme: Brazil’s average per capital income Contrast: decrease vs. increase
3. Department of Education noted that state and local officials should have the flexibility to determine appropriate content for a student’s summary, which must be based on the student’s individual needs and postsecondary goals. However, this flexibility must be balanced with the need to assure that students with disabilities, upon leaving high school, have a comprehensive summary of performance (SOP) that promotes self-determination and productive postschool outcomes.	One theme: flexibility Contrast: necessity vs. restriction
4. Since 2001, student attendance failed to meet the state’s requirements during testing days; however, in 2005, attendance on test days allowed the school to meet the annual attendance objectives as defined by the state.	One theme: student attendance during testing days Contrast: failure to meet the requirement since 2001 vs. success in meeting requirement in 2005
5. For the acceptability of online tutoring procedures, teachers and tutors all reported that the set-up was easy. Teachers, students, and tutors responded that some student materials could be clearer; however, overall the clarity of those materials was acceptable.	One theme: student materials Contrast: imperfect vs. acceptable
6. An important increase in contaminant substances was found in Lake Ontario fish. PCNs have shown a dramatic decline since 1979; however, the levels are still above Ontario’s fish consumption advisory guidelines for dioxin-like compounds.	One theme: the levels of PCNs Contrast: improvement vs. failure to meet the standard
7. The poet Montoro witnessed some of the worst racial violence of his time and was forced to feel from his home in Cordoba (in 1473) during a riot. His poem to Enrique IV voices the frustration of a citizen who had lost hope that the persecution would end. However, his poem dedicated to Isabel illustrates that the presence of the new queen had restored in the poet some degree of optimism for the future.	Theme 1: His poem to Enrique IV Theme 2: His poem to Isabel Contrast: frustration vs. optimism
8. Usually, it’s better to take a multivitamin supplement with meals. With an empty stomach, you’ll absorb less of those vitamins. However, taking your multivitamin supplement on an empty stomach is much better than not taking it at all.	Theme 1: Taking a multivitamin supplement with an empty stomach Theme 2: Not taking a multivitamin supplement at all Contrast: bad (absorb less of vitamins) vs. worse
9. If students with ID are auditing a class, then they are not receiving official university credit and are not required to submit assignments. However, if students with ID taking the course for credit, then those students must attempt to master all of the material which other students are expected to learn and submit all assignments as required in the syllabus.	Theme 1: Students who audit a class Theme 2: Students who take a class for credits Contrast: Responsibilities of auditing a class vs. those of taking a class for credits
10. The Indian Removal Act of 1830 led to the forced relocation of thousands of Indian families from the Southeast to what is now Oklahoma. However, the growth and expansion of the white population has intensified the demand for Indian lands in most areas.	Theme 1: Relocation of the Native American population to Oklahoma Theme 2: Growth of the white population Contrast: being pushed away from ones’ land vs. demanding other people’s land

Major findings from my research project:

Contrastive function:
Compares two aspects, X and Y, of one theme, A. X and Y are strikingly different or even opposite. n=21

Concessive function:
The however clause contains information that is contrary to the assumption that has been clearly stated/can be easily drawn from the prior text or the shared frame. n=9

Information prominence:
Ideas expressed/indicated in the however clause carry more importance, are representative of the writer’s focal point/central argument, and are elaborated in the following discourse. n=27

Information structure:
The most commonly occurring element in the subject position of the however clause is given information, and the majority of the element is Textually Evoked. n=23

In our chapter, we addressed its contrastive function, but we didn’t talk about the concessive function. Information prominence and information structure relevant issues need to be discussed as well.

Contrastive:
Compare two aspects (e.g. attributes/states/views), which I call X and Y, of one theme A, and the two aspects are often different from one another or even opposite.