,An Introduction to Discourse Analysis
Discourse analysis considers how language, both spoken and written, enacts
social and cultural perspectives and identities. Assuming no prior knowledge
of linguistics, An Introduction to Discourse Analysis examines the field and
presents James Paul Gee’s unique integrated approach, which incorporates
both a theory of language-in-use and a method of research.
The third edition of this bestselling text has been extensively revised and
updated to include new material such as examples of oral and written
language, ranging from group discussions with children, adults, students, and
teachers, to conversations, interviews, academic texts, and policy documents.
While it can be used as a stand-alone text, this edition has also been fully
cross-referenced with the practical companion title How to do Discourse
Analysis: A Toolkit, and together they provide the complete resource for
students with an interest in this area.
Clearly structured and written in a highly accessible style, An Introduction
to Discourse Analysis includes perspectives from a variety of approaches and
disciplines—including applied linguistics, education, psychology, anthro-
pology, and communication—to help students and scholars from a range of
backgrounds to formulate their own views on discourse and engage in their
own discourse analysis.
James Paul Gee is the Mary Lou Fulton Presidential Professor of Literacy
Studies at Arizona State University. His many titles include How to do
Discourse Analysis, Sociolinguistics and Literacies, and Situated Language and
Learning, all published by Routledge.
,“Since it was first published in 1999, Gee’s An Introduction to Discourse
Analysis has become a classic in the field. Written in a refreshing and highly
accessible style and full of interesting, contemporary examples, this book is
useful not just for beginners seeking to understand the personal, practical
and political implications of how we use language to communicate, but also
for seasoned scholars seeking new ideas and inspiration. This new edition
is substantially revised and reorganized, making it even more user-friendly,
and includes a wealth of new, up-to-date examples and theoretical material,
including material on images and multimodal texts.”
Rodney Jones, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
“This useful book provides an extensive set of tools for systematically
analyzing language use. The book reflects Gee’s broad and deep grasp of
relevant fields, drawing on insights not only about the social life of language
but also about social theories of late capitalism, contemporary accounts of
culture and sociocentric approaches to the mind. Earlier editions have proven
their usefulness to both beginning and advanced students, and this new
edition contains the useful original material together with nice additions like
more extensive sample analyses and a primer on analyzing multimodal texts.”
Stanton Wortham, University of Pennsylvania, USA
“Wonderful entrance point, engaging, well-grounded in the literature, and
full of analytical insights, this book offers helpful, interesting, and practical
examples across different aspects of discourse analysis. Gee’s accessible and
engaging writing style and his openness to difference encourages scholars
to begin or continue exploring the ways in which discourses operate as
practices and activities in the world. This book stimulates various analytical,
theoretical, and conceptual conversations among students, researchers, and
practitioners.”
Mirka Koro-Ljungberg, University of Florida, USA
, An Introduction to
Discourse Analysis
Theory and method
Third Edition
James Paul Gee
Discourse analysis considers how language, both spoken and written, enacts
social and cultural perspectives and identities. Assuming no prior knowledge
of linguistics, An Introduction to Discourse Analysis examines the field and
presents James Paul Gee’s unique integrated approach, which incorporates
both a theory of language-in-use and a method of research.
The third edition of this bestselling text has been extensively revised and
updated to include new material such as examples of oral and written
language, ranging from group discussions with children, adults, students, and
teachers, to conversations, interviews, academic texts, and policy documents.
While it can be used as a stand-alone text, this edition has also been fully
cross-referenced with the practical companion title How to do Discourse
Analysis: A Toolkit, and together they provide the complete resource for
students with an interest in this area.
Clearly structured and written in a highly accessible style, An Introduction
to Discourse Analysis includes perspectives from a variety of approaches and
disciplines—including applied linguistics, education, psychology, anthro-
pology, and communication—to help students and scholars from a range of
backgrounds to formulate their own views on discourse and engage in their
own discourse analysis.
James Paul Gee is the Mary Lou Fulton Presidential Professor of Literacy
Studies at Arizona State University. His many titles include How to do
Discourse Analysis, Sociolinguistics and Literacies, and Situated Language and
Learning, all published by Routledge.
,“Since it was first published in 1999, Gee’s An Introduction to Discourse
Analysis has become a classic in the field. Written in a refreshing and highly
accessible style and full of interesting, contemporary examples, this book is
useful not just for beginners seeking to understand the personal, practical
and political implications of how we use language to communicate, but also
for seasoned scholars seeking new ideas and inspiration. This new edition
is substantially revised and reorganized, making it even more user-friendly,
and includes a wealth of new, up-to-date examples and theoretical material,
including material on images and multimodal texts.”
Rodney Jones, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
“This useful book provides an extensive set of tools for systematically
analyzing language use. The book reflects Gee’s broad and deep grasp of
relevant fields, drawing on insights not only about the social life of language
but also about social theories of late capitalism, contemporary accounts of
culture and sociocentric approaches to the mind. Earlier editions have proven
their usefulness to both beginning and advanced students, and this new
edition contains the useful original material together with nice additions like
more extensive sample analyses and a primer on analyzing multimodal texts.”
Stanton Wortham, University of Pennsylvania, USA
“Wonderful entrance point, engaging, well-grounded in the literature, and
full of analytical insights, this book offers helpful, interesting, and practical
examples across different aspects of discourse analysis. Gee’s accessible and
engaging writing style and his openness to difference encourages scholars
to begin or continue exploring the ways in which discourses operate as
practices and activities in the world. This book stimulates various analytical,
theoretical, and conceptual conversations among students, researchers, and
practitioners.”
Mirka Koro-Ljungberg, University of Florida, USA
, An Introduction to
Discourse Analysis
Theory and method
Third Edition
James Paul Gee
