Introduction to Critical Discourse Analysis

by Carmen Rosa Caldas-Coulthard, Malcolm Coulthard

In the last three decades, the focus of linguistic studies has changed from the description of formal properties of language to the description of how people communicate through language. This book is an introduction to some of the most important statements made by recent and current approaches to language Critical Discourse Analysis.

Divided into two parts, the book aims to present the student with an explanation of the historical and theoretical development of CDA, and then provide the tools for 'doing' this mode of analysis. The book is designed to train students to identify patterns of textual organisation and discourse strategies in authentic texts, both written and oral, and includes examples drawn from the media, law, advertising, language teaching and casual conversation. The book also includes an appendix outlining the techniques for data collection, transcription methods and presentation of results.

An Introduction to Critical Discourse Analysis is the most comprehensive, readable introduction to the subject, and should be required reading for undergraduate students.

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2012