Unlike the others, this prototype is not monologic. It is built on the structure of interaction, taking the form of an exchange between two or more speakers. Its prototype includes sequences of turns (e.g., an initiation and a response), adjacency pairs (like question/answer or greeting/greeting), and various interactional maneuvers. This prototype allows the analysis of dialogues in plays, interviews, and even the embedded dialogue within narrative texts.
plutôt que des formes pures.
Traditional linguistics often relied on five primary textual types: narrative, descriptive, expository, argumentative, and injunctive. However, Adam identified a fatal flaw in this model: . No real-world text is purely one type.
This sequence aims to modify the reader's cognitive state by answering "Why?" or "How?". It typically follows a clear cognitive path: (The What ). Formulation of a problem (The Why or How ). The explanation (The Because ). The conclusion/evaluation . 4. The Argumentative Sequence (La Séquence Argumentative) Jean Michel Adam Les Textes Types Et Prototypes.pdf
This prototype is the core of persuasive discourse. Its goal is to influence the beliefs or actions of an interlocutor by presenting a claim (the thesis) and supporting it with reasons (arguments) while often anticipating and refuting counter-arguments (objections). Its prototype typically follows a logical path: from data or evidence, to a claim, to a warrant that justifies the connection, often acknowledging potential rebuttals and establishing the force of the conclusion. It is the lifeblood of editorials, political speeches, and academic essays.
5. Pourquoi "Les Textes: Types et Prototypes" est une référence L'ouvrage reste indispensable pour :
This is the sequence of command, instruction, or advice. It ranges from recipes to legal laws. Its typical markers are the imperative mood, the infinitive, or the future tense of command ("You will do..."). Unlike the others, this prototype is not monologic
Adam is the author of over fifteen books, translated into multiple languages, on diverse subjects including narrative texts, discourse analysis, literary and political discourse, and argumentation in advertising. Key works include Le texte narratif (1985) and Le texte descriptif (1989), which together with Les textes : types et prototypes form a coherent theory of textual analysis from the sentence level to the complete text. His notable career includes visiting professorships at numerous universities in Switzerland, France, Spain, Denmark, and the United States. He remains one of the most cited authors in contemporary discourse analysis.
By continuing to explore and refine our understanding of text types and prototypes, researchers can contribute to a deeper understanding of human communication and the complex mechanisms that underlie text production and comprehension.
Adam sought a based on prototypical sequences, not rigid categories. His major work, Les textes : types et prototypes (1st ed. 1992, later revised), became a reference in French-speaking universities for text analysis. This prototype allows the analysis of dialogues in
Adam's approach offers tools to analyze the sequential heterogeneity of literary works, showing how novels and plays weave narrative, descriptive, dialogic, and even argumentative sequences together.
Jean-Michel Adam’s seminal work, Les Textes: Types et Prototypes , is a cornerstone of modern text linguistics and discourse analysis. Published in 1992, this book revolutionized how linguists and educators categorize, analyze, and understand written and spoken discourse. Rather than viewing texts as rigid, isolated structures, Adam introduced a dynamic model built on "textual prototypes." 1. The Core Philosophy: Moving Beyond Rigid Typologies
Jean-Michel Adam's "Les Textes: Types et Prototypes" (1992) revolutionized text linguistics by replacing traditional, rigid genre classifications with five core, flexible textual sequences: Narrative, Descriptive, Argumentative, Explicative, and Dialogal. The framework posits that while texts are inherently heterogeneous, they are organized by a dominant sequence and sub-sequences, providing a robust cognitive model for analyzing written discourse. For in-depth study, the text is frequently available via academic repositories like HAL Science or Cairn.info. Share public link
: Focused on a succession of events, thematic unity, and a final evaluation (e.g., stories, anecdotes).