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An Introduction to Discourse Analysis: Theory and Method
Discourse analysis considers how language, both spoken and written, enacts social and cultural perspectives and identities. In this book, James Paul Gee introduces the field and presents his unique integrated approach to it.
Assuming no prior knowledge of linguistics, the author presents both a theory of language-in-use and a method of research. Clearly structured and written in a highly accessible style, An Introduction to Discourse Analysis incorporates perspectives from a variety of approaches and disciplines, including applied linguistics, education, psychology, anthropology and communication to help students and scholars from a range of backgrounds to formulate their own views on discourse and engage in their own discourse analysis.
The second edition has been completely revised and updated and contains substantial new material and examples of oral and written language, ranging from group discussions with children, adults, students and teachers to conversations, interviews, academic texts and policy documents.
Assuming no prior knowledge of linguistics, the author presents both a theory of language-in-use and a method of research. Clearly structured and written in a highly accessible style, An Introduction to Discourse Analysis incorporates perspectives from a variety of approaches and disciplines, including applied linguistics, education, psychology, anthropology and communication to help students and scholars from a range of backgrounds to formulate their own views on discourse and engage in their own discourse analysis.
The second edition has been completely revised and updated and contains substantial new material and examples of oral and written language, ranging from group discussions with children, adults, students and teachers to conversations, interviews, academic texts and policy documents.
224 pages, Paperback
First published June 24, 1999
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About the author
James Paul Gee
62Ìýbooks52ÌýfollowersJames Gee is a researcher who has worked in psycholinguistics, discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, bilingual education, and literacy. Gee is currently the Mary Lou Fulton Presidential Professor of Literacy Studies at Arizona State University. Gee is a faculty affiliate of the Games, Learning, and Society group at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is a member of the National Academy of Education.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 3, 2018
Like Gee's Toolkit for discourse analysis, this book is an excellent introduction to this approach to qualitative research. The book succinctly delves into the key elements and theory of the subject, and does so in a way that is very engaging for readers.
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September 18, 2016If you are interested in "reading in between the lines" or "out of the box" thinking, then this book is very informative as far as intro's are concerned. Helps me when conceptualizing automation /engineering/robotic projects in a world where technology has started to become out of the range in human cognizance. Albeit a book of psychology and the analysis of Discourse, the author has written it well and the book is very helpful in learning to understand the rift between human and machine and the gap that will always appear to exists ( the user interface). The between the lines is very helpful white in a design for "systems" made for the human's ability to have an intuitive interface of the tech world about him. So many times engineers fail to visualize the background "noise" in human thought and expression.Complex reading, and very good. This book would be very helpful with Physicians also.
January 7, 2012
At points, the author seems to beat concepts into the ground, and his failure to use pronouns where appropriate meant I found myself reading the same long terms over and over agin without much profit from the repetition. On the whole, however, the book is an excellent introduction to the concept.
November 19, 2017
Probably the easiest book to read about discourse analysis!
February 17, 2017
Read some of this to understand how to analyze discourse. It was helpful!
February 21, 2016
No one writes about discourse analysis as expertly and engagingly as Gee. His approach is complicated (it has to be, as language use itself is complicated), but his explications and examples are, though sometimes redundant, always appropriate and accessible.
Two minor gripes: Gee recycles data and its accompanying analysis from his other books and articles frequently. While it means you may have already been exposed to these analyses elsewhere, your ability to apply particular tools for particular situations is enhanced, as the sociological significance of a particular data narrative takes a back seat to the practice of CDA application. Lastly, for a book that focuses so specifically on careful attention to language construction, and this being a fourth edition, where the hell was the editor? Dropped pronouns, articles, even some dropped nouns abound. Routledge, one of the most distinguished academic publishers, should be ashamed.
Two minor gripes: Gee recycles data and its accompanying analysis from his other books and articles frequently. While it means you may have already been exposed to these analyses elsewhere, your ability to apply particular tools for particular situations is enhanced, as the sociological significance of a particular data narrative takes a back seat to the practice of CDA application. Lastly, for a book that focuses so specifically on careful attention to language construction, and this being a fourth edition, where the hell was the editor? Dropped pronouns, articles, even some dropped nouns abound. Routledge, one of the most distinguished academic publishers, should be ashamed.
April 23, 2013
A great little guide for scholars working in discourse analysis. If you're looking for how to figure out what people are *really* saying by doing intensive, word-by-word analysis of their speech patterns, this is the book for you.
January 31, 2008
A simple text that examines all the subtext of our sentences and the quirks of comprehension. Where does the power in words lie? View of language as a social phenomenon
February 16, 2019
An accessible intro, as promised, moving from a theory of social language to concrete tools for understanding social language(s) in context. Have returned to this book several times for various projects.
June 16, 2017
Boring... Van Dijk's and Fairclough's account is much more engaging!
February 23, 2018
Dissertation reading
December 31, 2018
Another good introductory to the Approach.
January 11, 2022
It was a nice book with full information about Langauge and langauge in use.
I like it💙
I like it💙
June 26, 2022
Clear and concise with examples throughout.
July 13, 2007
This is a good introduction to discourse analysis, though I'm not sure I should bother listing such books here -- nobody who isn't interested in discourse analysis will care about this, and anyone who is interested should already know about Gee.
February 11, 2015
I love Gee's work on discourse analysis. For qualitative researchers looking at interview data, conversations, classroom interactions this book provides guidance and insight into the process of reading the lines, between the lines and beyond the lines. A great book.
March 22, 2009
Too many scare quotes! "Seriously."
To be honest I am still not sure I know what discourse analysis is or how to do it after finishing this book.
To be honest I am still not sure I know what discourse analysis is or how to do it after finishing this book.
Currently reading
January 21, 2014ghj
August 20, 2010
very useful. helps provide tools and questions for when looking at language and language usage
September 12, 2016
It was difficult. Or could it have been written any simpler?
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
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