Discourse Theory and Practice

This comprehensive resource introduces students to crucial concepts in discourse analysis, featuring key articles and insights. Discourse Theory and Practice is essential for understanding the field.

The book Discourse Theory and Practice serves as an essential resource for students venturing into the field of discourse analysis. It features a collection of classic articles and papers that highlight the contributions of major figures in the discipline. Each piece is thoughtfully accompanied by editorial commentaries, which help illuminate the key epistemological and methodological issues relevant to discourse theory and practice. This combination of primary texts and expert insights provides a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Organized into four coherent sections, Discourse Theory and Practice covers Foundations and Building Blocks, Social Interaction, Minds, Selves and Sense-Making, and Culture and Social Relations. Students will encounter significant readings from influential scholars such as Stuart Hall, Jonathan Potter, and Erving Goffman, among others. Each chapter not only presents the key works but also contextualizes the contributions of these scholars, making it easier for students to grasp different theoretical perspectives and methods of discourse analysis.

This book is particularly well-suited for students of psychology, sociology, linguistics, and cultural studies, offering a lively and intellectually stimulating introduction to the diverse approaches within discourse analysis. As a course reader for The Open University course on Discourse Analysis (D843), it effectively bridges classic theory with contemporary practice, ensuring that students are well-equipped to engage with the complexities of discourse in various contexts.