Browsing by Author "Ibrahim, Muhammad 'Abd al-Rahman"

The dissertation studies one of the standards of textuality which is tagged "INFORMATIVITY", by focusing on its dimensions, techniques, instrumentality, goals and its impact on text reception, as well as revealing the contributions of Muslim Scholars in the field of Textual Analysis. The research question addresses the manner in which the "information network" is distributed in the text, and how the unexpected elements in the text are dealt with during the production of text and its reception. The thesis suggests an analytical methodology that integrates both the Western and Muslim scholars' approaches that form theoretical framework of informativity. It adopts this methodology to analyse three Qur'anic texts on the subject of protection of Human Soul, covering the story of al- baqarah, Requital verses, and self protection. The analysis also covers selected odes from al-Mutanabbī's Kāfūriyyāt that summed up the turning points in the poet's life during his sojourn in Egypt. The thesis reveals the levels of Informativity in the works of the Muslim scholars who discuss it within the concept of Clarity and Ambiguity; and also their treatment of the processes of downgrading the informativity in line with the point of view of De Beagrande and Dressler in modern text analysis. It is observed, with regards to the analysed verses, that the information network is distributed in a manner that attracts the attention of text receiver. The first Qur'anic text depends on the principle of end- focus emphasis in agreement with the conversational structure of the text.. The two other Qur'anic texts are prefaced with strong claims followed by the corresponding provision of the necessary justifications. The selected texts from the Kāfūriyyāt of al- Mutanabbī, reflected the development of the relationship between the poet and Kafur. The analysis contributed to the exposition of the techniques that were utilized by text producer in achieving his goals.

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