DISCOURSE ANALYSIS

What is Discourse?

1.Discourse is a conceptual generalization of conversation within each modality and context of communication.

2. In linguistics, discourse refers to a unit of language longer than a single sentence.

3. More broadly, discourse is the use of spoken or written language in a social context.

4. Discourse is generally used to designate the forms of representation, codes, conventions and habits of language that produce specific fields of culturally and historically located meanings. 

5. Discourse is the use of words to exchange thoughts and ideas or  a long talk or piece of writing about a subject.

References:

https://faculty.washington.edu/mlg/courses/definitions/discourse.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discourse

http://grammar.about.com/od/d/g/discourseterm.htm

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discourse

 What is Analysis?

1.     a careful study of something to learn about its parts, what they do, and how they are related to each other.

2.      an explanation of the nature and meaning of something

3.     Analysis is the process of breaking a complex topic or substance into smaller parts in order to gain a better understanding of it.

4.      An examination of data and facts to uncover and understand cause-effect relationships, thus providing basis for problem solving and decision making.

5.      A systematic examination and evaluation of data or information, by breaking it into its component parts to uncover their interrelationships. Opposite of synthesis.

References:

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/analysis.html 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analysis 

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/analysis

What is Discourse Analysis?

1.     Discourse analysis is a broad term for the study of the ways in which language is used in texts and contexts. Also calleddiscourse studies.

2.     Discourse analysis (DA), or discourse studies, is a general term for a number of approaches to analyze written, vocal, or sign language use, or any significant semiotic event.

3.     What is Discourse Analysis? is an accessible introduction to an empirical research approach which is widely used in the social sciences and related disciplines .

4.     What is Discourse Analysis? addresses new researchers and other academics interested in language and its associated practices .

5.     What is Discourse Analysis? addresses new researchers and other academics interested in language and its associated practices.

References:

http://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/academic/academic-subjects/sociology/sociology-of-science-and-technology/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discourse_analysis

grammar.about.com/od/d/g/discanalysisterm.htm

So…

DISCOURSE ANAYLSIS IS :        The study of the rules or patterns characterizing units of connected speech or writing longer than a sentence.