Metadiscursive strategies on the Internet

Barbara Misztal

The Internet network provides opportunities for communicating over any distance, any time. On the Internet there is a multitude of conversations conducted on a great variety of topics. These discussions though written, are similar to real spoken dialogues in which metalanguage plays an important role as it organizes content. The author introduces and systemizes metatextual elements of logical order in statements from texts chosen from discursive forums. Cohesion of texts on the Internet, open to chaos and disharmony, depends on expressions which organize the statements expressed. Metatextual operators aid in logical organization of text in the virtual world. The usage of discursive metastrategies enables Internet users to create logical, understandable discourse.

KEYWORDS

electronic communication, electronic media, the Internet, metatext, discourse, strategies of communication, metadiscursive strategies, metatextual operators, metatextual lexicon