Analyzing Discourse: A Manual of Basic Concepts

by Robert A. Dooley; Stephen H. Levinsohn

Publisher:

SIL International

, 2023

Overview

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.

Key Features

• Addresses issues commonly confronted by field linguists
• Serves as an introduction to discourse analysis for linguistic field workers
• Follows a functional and cognitive approach that seems to be a good approximation of how discourse is actually produced and understood

Contents

Part 1: Types of Text

• Means of Production: Number of Speakers
• Type of Content: Text Genres
• Manner of Production: Style and Register
• Medium of Production: Oral Versus Written

Part 2: Common Characteristics in Discourses

• Coherence
• Cohesion
• Thematic Groupings and Thematic Discontinuities
• Text Charting
• Mental Representations Revisited
• Activation Status, Definiteness, and Referential Status
• Information Structure of Sentences
• Foreground and Background Information
• Signaling Relations Between Propositions
• The Reporting of Conversation
• Conventionalized Aspects of Text Organization

Part 3: Participant Reference

• Basic Notions of Reference
• Strategies of Reference
• A Methodology for Analyzing Reference Patterns

Product Details

• Title: Analyzing Discourse: A Manual of Basic Concepts
• Authors: Robert A. Dooley, Stephen H. Levinsohn
• Publisher: SIL International
• Print Publication Date: 2023
• Logos Release Date: 2025
• Pages: 178
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Discourse analysis; Discourse analysis › Handbooks, manuals, etc; Handbooks and manuals
• ISBNs: 9781556714900, 9781556714917, 1556714904, 1556714912
• Resource ID: LLS:NLYZNGDSCCNCPTS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2025-05-22T16:20:04Z