ENG1502 EXTRA
Analysing discourse involves recognising, pointing out and commenting on all the different
aspects of language in a given text that we have discussed. This includes:
Identity and characteristics of speaker or writer
Functions and purposes for which language is being used
Variety of language being used
Connotation and emotive power of vocabulary
Structure of words, sentences, paragraphs and
Relations between them
Discourse analysis represents the culmination and application of all knowledge and skills.
Words and sentences can not be discussed in isolation: they occur in particular contexts,
usually coneccted to something said or written before and often followed by something else.
Words and sentences form part of larger discourse.
Discourse analysis refers to process of examining structure of naturally occurring
spoken and written language.
Discourse and Text:
We can apply the term discourse to both written and spoken communication between people.
In this book all discourse is transcribe into print or written form. Therefore analysis of different
types of communication will necessarily have to take place through the medium of text. Text
can also include visual text such as pictures, photos, images, cartoons ect.
Examples of text that can be subjected to discourse analysis:
A joke A newspaper article An academic lecture
A autobiography A prayer A
medical diagnosis
A sermon Interior dialogue (private thoughts) A television
show
A short story A university textbook A poem
A novel An advertisement A play
An encyclopedia article A political speech A scientific
textbook
A comic strip A conversation with your parents A political
manifesto
A letter to a friend A letter to your employer Your personal
diary
Discourse/Text Analysis:
When doing discourse analysis you need to examine a chunk or stretch of language and
discuss its features. A four prong approach is suggested this involves considering:
Person producing the language (speaker or writer)
Context in which language produced
Audience for whom intended
Purpose of language, or what is set out to achieve
All of the above will combine to influence tone and style of the language used.
Purpose of language (speaker or writer):
Identity and character of speaker or writer will influence kind of language used. Personal
factors such as…
Level of education
Social status
Whether person speaks English as PL or AL
Id English is AL, influence of PL
Age
, ENG1502 EXTRA
Gender
Personality, values, attitudes
Social and political views and position
The last may only be revealed through implications if discourse. At times people speak in a
way that suggests certain views and assumes audience shares these views
Activity One - Prescribed book page 201
Context:
Language can not be separated from its context because it’s a product of context. Notion of
context entails:
Historical period (when hew language occurred)
Region/geographical place (where the language occurred)
Situation (circumstance in which occurred)
We expect language to be appropriate in its context or situation in which it is used. Our
knowledge of what is suitable for various contexts is called “pragmatic competence”-we often
apply with without realising it.
Activity Two - Prescribed book page 202
Audience:
We talk to different people in different way. Greetings for example:
Good morning, sir
Hi, guys
Howzit!
Good day, how may I help you?
Hello
In written text the audience is who read or listen too it. A writer often knows these readers are
and what they like. Same message may be written in different ways for different audiences.
Speakers and writers need to take their audience into account and adapt their language
accordingly. Target audience may be described as follows:
Level of education
Degree of specialization in particular field
Age
Gender
Speaker or writer may also know or assume political views.
Activity Three - Prescribed book page 203
Purpose:
Purpose can be whatever speaker or writer intends to achieve through the discourse. Here are
7 possible purposes (any combination also possible):
To instruct: writer intends to instruct. Word choice factual and precise, sentence
includes
imperative or “command” verb forms and use sequencing to indicate
correct
order in which things ought to be done to achieve particular outcome.
To inform: Purpose to inform, precision will (or should) be main feature of writing.
The
effectiveness of the writer can be judged by outcome: did the reader
clearly
understand the info provided in the text?
To persuade: will contain emotive language-language that is chosen to evoke an
emotional
reaction on part of audience. Advertisers and politicians use this type
of speech.
To entertain: it may amuse, provide beauty or intriguing. Whatever way the writer
entertains,
He or she will do so by using language for a purpose beyond merely
providing
info.
Analysing discourse involves recognising, pointing out and commenting on all the different
aspects of language in a given text that we have discussed. This includes:
Identity and characteristics of speaker or writer
Functions and purposes for which language is being used
Variety of language being used
Connotation and emotive power of vocabulary
Structure of words, sentences, paragraphs and
Relations between them
Discourse analysis represents the culmination and application of all knowledge and skills.
Words and sentences can not be discussed in isolation: they occur in particular contexts,
usually coneccted to something said or written before and often followed by something else.
Words and sentences form part of larger discourse.
Discourse analysis refers to process of examining structure of naturally occurring
spoken and written language.
Discourse and Text:
We can apply the term discourse to both written and spoken communication between people.
In this book all discourse is transcribe into print or written form. Therefore analysis of different
types of communication will necessarily have to take place through the medium of text. Text
can also include visual text such as pictures, photos, images, cartoons ect.
Examples of text that can be subjected to discourse analysis:
A joke A newspaper article An academic lecture
A autobiography A prayer A
medical diagnosis
A sermon Interior dialogue (private thoughts) A television
show
A short story A university textbook A poem
A novel An advertisement A play
An encyclopedia article A political speech A scientific
textbook
A comic strip A conversation with your parents A political
manifesto
A letter to a friend A letter to your employer Your personal
diary
Discourse/Text Analysis:
When doing discourse analysis you need to examine a chunk or stretch of language and
discuss its features. A four prong approach is suggested this involves considering:
Person producing the language (speaker or writer)
Context in which language produced
Audience for whom intended
Purpose of language, or what is set out to achieve
All of the above will combine to influence tone and style of the language used.
Purpose of language (speaker or writer):
Identity and character of speaker or writer will influence kind of language used. Personal
factors such as…
Level of education
Social status
Whether person speaks English as PL or AL
Id English is AL, influence of PL
Age
, ENG1502 EXTRA
Gender
Personality, values, attitudes
Social and political views and position
The last may only be revealed through implications if discourse. At times people speak in a
way that suggests certain views and assumes audience shares these views
Activity One - Prescribed book page 201
Context:
Language can not be separated from its context because it’s a product of context. Notion of
context entails:
Historical period (when hew language occurred)
Region/geographical place (where the language occurred)
Situation (circumstance in which occurred)
We expect language to be appropriate in its context or situation in which it is used. Our
knowledge of what is suitable for various contexts is called “pragmatic competence”-we often
apply with without realising it.
Activity Two - Prescribed book page 202
Audience:
We talk to different people in different way. Greetings for example:
Good morning, sir
Hi, guys
Howzit!
Good day, how may I help you?
Hello
In written text the audience is who read or listen too it. A writer often knows these readers are
and what they like. Same message may be written in different ways for different audiences.
Speakers and writers need to take their audience into account and adapt their language
accordingly. Target audience may be described as follows:
Level of education
Degree of specialization in particular field
Age
Gender
Speaker or writer may also know or assume political views.
Activity Three - Prescribed book page 203
Purpose:
Purpose can be whatever speaker or writer intends to achieve through the discourse. Here are
7 possible purposes (any combination also possible):
To instruct: writer intends to instruct. Word choice factual and precise, sentence
includes
imperative or “command” verb forms and use sequencing to indicate
correct
order in which things ought to be done to achieve particular outcome.
To inform: Purpose to inform, precision will (or should) be main feature of writing.
The
effectiveness of the writer can be judged by outcome: did the reader
clearly
understand the info provided in the text?
To persuade: will contain emotive language-language that is chosen to evoke an
emotional
reaction on part of audience. Advertisers and politicians use this type
of speech.
To entertain: it may amuse, provide beauty or intriguing. Whatever way the writer
entertains,
He or she will do so by using language for a purpose beyond merely
providing
info.
