functional components of report writing based on Cognitive Discourse Functions (CDFs)

The "subcategories" mentioned in the article refer to the functional components of report writing based on Cognitive Discourse Functions (CDFs)—specifically defining and classifying. These subcategories were used to analyze how well students included essential scientific and linguistic elements in their reports about levers.

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🔹 The 9 Functional Subcategories:

These are the nine distinct elements students were expected to include in their reports. They were grouped under main CDFs (defining and classifying):

🔸 Defining:

1. Definition of levers

2. Naming the parts (e.g., fulcrum, load, effort)

3. Defining the parts

🔸 Classifying:

4. Announcing the types of levers (Class 1, 2, 3)

5. Giving the classification criterion (based on what is in the middle)

6. Defining each type of lever

7. Giving examples of each type

🔸 Concluding (evaluating & reasoning):

8. Providing a general conclusion/claim (e.g., different objects may be in the same class)

9. Giving contrasting or supporting examples to justify that claim

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🧮 Why "7 subcategories" Sometimes?

• Not all students included all 9 subcategories in their writing.

• For example, Profile 2 learners typically included up to 7 subcategories, omitting things like part definitions or examples in the conclusion.

• Profile 4 students were the most advanced—they included all 9 subcategories.

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📘 Example (simplified):

"A lever is a simple machine. It has three parts: fulcrum, effort, and load. The fulcrum is the fixed point..."
✅ That part addresses 1 (definition), 2 (naming), and 3 (defining parts).

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