Critical discourse analysis

Student handout – one per group for analysing the instructions and creating some

· Register – is the text suitable to the context with choice of tenor and mode?

· Field – the theme and content of the text that is analysed? Is technical language used, that is terms only few understand?

· Mode – what “tools” does the text use to deliver the message? Images, quotes, caricatures, drawings, diagrammes, ….direct speech, questions, statements followed by exclamation marks!

is there direct speech, example: He said: “it is cold.”

Are there expressions of the speakers’ view(s) – I saw and thought that….

· Tenor – participants in the discourse – author / speaker and audience, their relationships.

Further detail on tenor:

· About the speaker / author:

· How formal does s/he address the audience? – how friendly ? Is slang used or colloquial language?

· Does the speaker refer to him-/herself?

· Does s/he express explicitly views indicating they are their opinion?

· In my view, in my understanding etc.

· Does the author show him-/herself as an expert in the field?

Audience

· How familiar do speaker / author seem to be with the audience?

· Choice of language – as you know / as we know

· Experts? Use of technical terms / jargon only few understand?

· Or simple easy to follow words well known?

Relationship

· Is there respect in the way the author communicates towards the audience?

· Does the author see the audience at the same level / in a hierarchy – below or above him/her?

Message sent

· The content – is it “sold” as a personal view or a “truth”?

Referring experts or authorities in the field to indicate that it is a general “fact” or expert view

The manager behaved disgracefully.

· Does the audience have a choice to believe or not to believe the content is true?

· Is there a call for action?

· If yes, is it direct or indirect?

Donate money!

· Is there a blame message hidden or open?

Because we drive so many cars, the environment suffers,

“For that reason you should feel guilty and give money to environmental projects” – never said that directly.

· Expression of obligation:

· Have to / must / had better / ought to / should

· Necessity – need to

· Are supposed to – weaker obligation

· Audience having a choice to a different opinion or action - examples

· Will happen / would most likely led to; may / might / could happen