Discourse analysis is an interdisciplinary area of study that combines a multitude of theories, methods, and analytical procedures. Approaches to discourses analysis vary according to one’s analytical focus and based on the objective of one’s research. Some approaches tend to pay meticulous attention to the linguistic structure of text and talk (e.g., Fairclough) and others focus more on the external relations of text including the socio-cultural, political and cognitive aspect of discourse (e.g, Van Dijk, Wodak).
However, the common thread weaving together all of these various discourse analytic approaches is their departure from discourse, that is, language in use. No matter what their focus is, language in use always figures as an important component in doing discourse analysis.
The purpose of my post today is to share with you some excellent books that will introduce you to the methodological and theoretical underpinnings of discourse analysis. These are especially helpful for research students doing or planning to carry out research projects using discourse analysis.
Discourse Analysis Books
Anyone else interested in understanding the complex internal and external relations of language and social reality will find these discourse analysis books helpful. The list also features a few books on a particular tradition within discourse studies knows as Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA).
1- Discourse Studies: A Multidisciplinary Introduction, by Teun A. van Dijk (Editor)
This comprehensive handbook serves as an essential resource for students delving into discourse studies. The updated edition includes contemporary debates and research literature, providing extensive coverage across a variety of areas such as grammar, narrative, cognition, pragmatics, and argumentation. It also explores social, political, and critical approaches to discourse. New chapters on ideology and identity enrich this edition, making it highly relevant for current studies. The book is student-centered, featuring worked examples, sample analyses, and recommendations for further reading, making it an invaluable guide for both beginners and advanced scholars.
2- Analysing Discourse: Textual Analysis for Social Research by Norman Fairclough
Norman Fairclough integrates a broad range of social theories, including those from Bourdieu to Habermas, into his approach to discourse analysis, emphasizing a consistently social perspective. The book demonstrates its methods through diverse real texts, ranging from written material to multimedia broadcasts like TV debates and radio shows. By focusing on practical examples such as a TV debate about the monarchy and a radio discussion on the Lockerbie bombing, Fairclough’s book offers profound insights into how discourse is shaped by and shapes social contexts.
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3- An Introduction to Discourse Analysis: Theory and Method by James Paul Gee
This book provides a foundational guide to discourse analysis, requiring no prior knowledge of linguistics from its readers. James Paul Gee introduces his distinctive integrated approach which combines a theory of language-in-use with a methodological framework for conducting discourse analysis. The book navigates through various aspects of language, demonstrating how it reflects and constructs social and cultural identities. It’s an excellent starting point for students and researchers interested in understanding the multifaceted nature of language.
4- How to do Discourse Analysis: A Toolkit by James Paul Gee
Serving as a practical companion to “An Introduction to Discourse Analysis: Theory and Method,” this book by James Paul Gee is designed for those who wish to apply discourse analysis in their research. It outlines a clear, how-to approach with step-by-step tasks, making the methodology accessible and engaging. Each analytical tool is thoroughly explained with examples, accompanied by exercises that allow readers to practice applying these tools to real data. This toolkit is ideal for students and researchers who are looking for a hands-on approach to discourse analysis.
5- Discourse and Practice: New Tools for Critical Discourse Analysis, by Theo van Leeuwen
Theo van Leeuwen offers a novel perspective on critical discourse analysis by examining how everyday practices are transformed into discourses. Analyzing a diverse range of materials from children’s books and newspaper reports to photographs and toys, van Leeuwen provides innovative analytical tools to reconstruct discourses from various texts. This book highlights the significance of understanding the interplay between discourse and social practices, making it a crucial resource for researchers in the field of discourse analysis.
6- Discourse Analysis as Theory and Method 1st Edition by Marianne W Jorgensen, Louise Phillips
This book offers a systematic introduction to discourse analysis, integrating key theoretical and methodological approaches like Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory, critical discourse analysis, and discursive psychology. It aims to bridge the gaps typically maintained by disciplinary boundaries by fostering a dialogue among these diverse forms of discourse analysis. The text is ideal for researchers who wish to deepen their understanding of the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of these approaches in social research.
7- Discourse as Structure and Process by Teun A. van Dijk
Teun A. van Dijk’s volume explores a broad array of discourse genres, encompassing both written and spoken forms, as well as storytelling and argumentation. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the cognitive processes involved in the production, comprehension, and memory of language. This comprehensive approach to discourse studies provides valuable insights into the mental activities of language users, making it a significant resource for anyone studying or researching language and discourse.
8- Discourse: A Critical Introduction (Key Topics in Sociolinguistics) by Jan Blommaert
Jan Blommaert’s critical introduction to discourse analysis is thematically organized to systematically explore the principles, methods, and theories of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). The book discusses topics such as text and context, language and inequality, choice and determination, and the interplay of ideology and identity. It serves as an excellent resource for students and scholars looking to understand the dynamics of language in social contexts.
9- The Handbook of Discourse Analysis, by Deborah Schiffrin (Editor), Deborah Tannen (Editor), Heidi E. Hamilton (Editor)
This handbook is an authoritative guide to the field of discourse analysis, offering substantial contributions to current research. It covers a wide range of issues, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of important developments and methods in discourse studies. Edited by leading scholars, it is an essential resource for anyone engaged in the study of discourse.
10- An Introduction to Critical Discourse Analysis in Education by Rebecca Rogers (Editor)
Edited by Rebecca Rogers, this text introduces readers to critical discourse analysis within the context of education. It presents a theoretically rich yet accessible examination of key concepts and situates these within educational research. The book showcases the empirical work of leading scholars across three main traditions—discourse analysis, critical discourse analysis, and multimodal discourse analysis, making it a pivotal resource for researchers and educators alike.
11- How to Do Critical Discourse Analysis: A Multimodal Introduction by David Machin (Author), Andrea Mayr (Author)
This book guides students through a multimodal approach to critical discourse analysis, emphasizing how language, power, and ideology are expressed and contested in visual communication and media texts. Covering diverse media from magazines and advertising to YouTube and music videos, it provides practical insights into analyzing these texts, making it an ideal tool for students in media and communication studies.
12- Discourse and Social Change by Norman Fairclough
Norman Fairclough’s work is a critical introduction to the various disciplinary approaches to discourse analysis, including linguistics, sociolinguistics, sociology, and cultural studies. The book integrates discourse analysis with social analysis and change, illustrating how these fields can be interlinked to address broader societal issues. This makes it a valuable resource for researchers and students interested in the intersections between language, society, and social transformation.
Final thoughts
I hope you have found this curated selection of books on discourse analysis enlightening and instrumental for your studies or research. Each of these works offers a unique perspective on the diverse methodologies and theories within the field of discourse analysis. From foundational introductions to advanced explorations of social research, critical perspectives, and multimedia communication, these texts provide valuable insights into how discourse shapes and is shaped by social structures. Whether you’re a novice looking to grasp basic concepts or a seasoned scholar aiming to deepen your knowledge, these books serve as essential resources to enhance your understanding of the powerful role language plays in society and culture.