On the Functional-Syntactic Features of Popular Science Media Discourse (based on English-Language Articles about Space)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the functional and syntactic features of expressive syntax constructions used in the texts taken from popular science media discourse. The relevance of the research is determined by the special role of syntactic means in organizing utterances to achieve the maximum level of impact on the reader’s consciousness. Syntactic constructions are employed not only to highlight the main information but also to convey additional details, create a visual image of the described phenomena, and provide the author’s commentary. The object of the study is popular science discourse, whose purpose is not only to present the results of current scientific research and technological breakthroughs but also to popularize knowledge among diverse reader groups. The research material comprises six English-language articles published in National Geographic, New Scientist, and All About Space, all devoted to the issues of space exploration. These publications differ in terms of target audience, communicative goals set for journalists, article structure, and visual design. Due to these differences, the texts employ various strategies to influence readers, depending on the author’s intentions. At the same time, it becomes possible to identify key features of the syntactic organization of popular science discourse. Given the common thematic focus, it is feasible to trace the means of influence used by the authors without taking into account the specific features and relevance of the reported information. In the analyzed texts, 36 expressive syntax constructions were identified, including those based on symmetry, segmentation of the utterance, addition of information, redundancy, and rhetorical questions. The primary means of influence proved to be constructions designed to convey additional information, which reflects the characteristics of popular science media discourse. Constructions based on the violation of actual division of the sentence were less frequently represented; they were used by the authors to emphasize the most significant facts and facilitate comprehension of the message. The remaining types of constructions appeared only in isolated examples, indicating that their use is not typical for the discourse under analysis.