Rather than applying a rigid theory or surveying a variety of approaches, Analyzing Discourse provides a methodology that has been refined over years of use. As an introduction to discourse analysis for linguistic field workers, it is practical, addressing issues commonly confronted by field linguists.
The material follows a functional and cognitive approach that seems to be a good approximation of how discourse is actually produced and understood. Since the aim of the manual is introductory rather than comprehensive, most chapters are relatively short, and the whole can be covered in fifteen classroom hours. References are provided for further reading on the topics discussed. The manual can be used individually or in group sessions, such as in a formal course or a linguistic seminar. In a group setting, concepts can be illustrated by examining texts beyond those provided in the manual. This revision corrects the errata of the classic first edition, which remains a solid presentation of the basic concepts for analyzing discourse.