A Genre Analysis of Two Texts: A Court Appeal and A Murder Case Using English for Specific Purposes Model

Abstract

This paper presents a genre analysis of two legal texts using English for Specific Purposes (ESP) principles to identify their discourse patterns and genre-specific features. ESP emphasises language use in professional contexts, focusing on the communication needs of specific fields. The texts analysed include A Court Appeal document and a report on A Murder Case. Using ESP frameworks, the analysis identifies the linguistic moves and steps that fulfill communicative purposes in legal writing. The research seeks to understand how language serves the specialised needs of legal professionals. A qualitative textual analysis method was employed, segmenting the texts into rhetorical structures based on ESP models. The findings show that legal discourse uses distinct rhetorical and linguistic strategies. Passage A, written by a grieving family, uses emotive language and an urgent tone to express suspicion and appeal. Passage B, a legal judgment, uses formal legal language and a structured format to present the grounds for appeal and the court’s ruling. The study reveals how language is adapted for different functions within legal contexts and underscores the importance of precision in legal communication. It also suggests pedagogical implications for ESP teaching, especially in training learners for effective communication in legal and other specialised fields.