Discourse Analysis: Unraveling the Art of Communication
1. Introduction: What’s the Big Deal About Discourse?
Hey there, language enthusiast! 👋 Ever wondered why some conversations flow like a
smooth jazz tune while others feel like a heavy metal mosh pit? Welcome to the fascinating
world of discourse analysis!
Discourse analysis is like being a detective for language. It’s all about studying how we
use language in real-life situations. Think of it as the CSI of linguistics!
Why does it matter? Well, imagine if you could: - Nail that job interview - Become a master
persuader - Understand why your crush isn’t getting your hints
Discourse analysis can help with all of that and more. Let’s dive in!
2. Key Concepts: The Building Blocks of Discourse
Context: The Invisible Puppet Master
Context is like the air we breathe in conversation - you can’t see it, but it’s crucial! It’s all
the background info that shapes how we understand what’s being said.
Example: “It’s hot in here!” could mean: - Turn on the AC (in a stuffy room) - You’re looking
great! (at a party) - I’m nervous (before a big presentation)
Coherence: Making Sense of the Madness
Coherence is what makes a conversation or text flow logically. It’s the difference between a
smooth story and word salad.
Example: Coherent: “I woke up late, so I skipped breakfast and rushed to work.” Not
coherent: “I woke up late, so I bought a pet giraffe.”
Cohesion: The Glue That Binds
Cohesion is about connecting ideas using language. It’s like the grammatical superglue that
holds sentences together.
Example: “John loves pizza. He eats it every day.” (The word “it” refers back to “pizza”,
creating cohesion)
3. Types of Discourse: Flavors of Communication
Discourse Types
1. Conversation: The back-and-forth of everyday chat
2. Narrative: Storytelling, from gossip to novels
3. Argumentative: Debates, essays, and heated family dinners
4. Analytical Tools: Your Discourse Toolkit
1. Turn-taking Analysis
Watch how people trade the spotlight in conversation. Who talks most? Who interrupts?
How-to: 1. Record a conversation (with permission!) 2. Mark each time the speaker
changes 3. Analyze patterns: Do some people dominate? Are turns balanced?
2. Lexical Analysis
Examine word choices. Are they formal or casual? Positive or negative?
How-to: 1. Choose a text or transcribe a conversation 2. Highlight adjectives and adverbs 3.
Categorize them (e.g., positive/negative, formal/informal) 4. What does this reveal about
the speaker’s attitude?
5. Real-World Applications: Discourse Analysis in Action
• Marketing: Crafting persuasive ad copy
• Politics: Analyzing speeches to understand manipulation tactics
• Education: Improving classroom communication
Case Study: The “Got Milk?” Campaign This iconic ad campaign used discourse analysis
to tap into cultural narratives about health, convenience, and nostalgia. The result? Milk
sales soared!
6. Your Turn: Let’s Analyze!
Exercise 1: Spot the Coherence
Identify which sentence doesn’t fit: 1. The cat sat on the mat. 2. It was a sunny day. 3. Aliens
love strawberry ice cream. 4. The dog barked at the mailman.
Exercise 2: Context Clues
What’s the likely context for this exchange? A: “Paper or plastic?” B: “Neither, I brought my
own.”
Mini-Quiz
1. What’s the study of language use in real-life situations?
a) Syntax b) Phonetics c) Discourse Analysis d) Morphology
2. Which concept refers to the logical flow of ideas?
a) Cohesion b) Coherence c) Context d) Cognition
3. In “John loves pizza. He eats it every day,” what creates cohesion?
a) The word “it” b) The word “John” c) The word “pizza” d) The word “loves”
7. Keep Exploring: Your Discourse Journey Continues
Books to Dive Into:
• “Discourse Analysis: An Introduction” by Brian Paltridge
• “How to Do Discourse Analysis” by James Paul Gee
Websites:
• [Link]
• [Link]
Courses:
Check out Coursera and edX for introductory linguistics courses!
Key Takeaways
1. Discourse analysis helps us understand the hidden rules of communication
2. Context, coherence, and cohesion are your new best friends
3. Analyzing discourse can improve your communication skills in all areas of life
Now go forth and analyze! Your next conversation might just be your most interesting yet. 🚀📚
