The Discourse Reader is the first comprehensive collection of key, original writings on discourse analysis, steering a clear path through its different areas. Designed as a structured coursebook for students from undergraduate level upwards, the Reader is divided into clear sections covering the foundations of modern discourse analysis. It represents all the contemporary methods and traditions * pragmatics * conversation analysis * the ethnography of communication * narrative analysis * critical discourse analysis. Each section is prefaced by a detailed introduction by the editors and provides recommendations for further reading.