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• Critical Discourse Analysis | Definition, Guide & Examples

Critical Discourse Analysis | Definition, Guide & Examples

Published on August 23, 2019 by Amy Luo . Revised on June 22, 2023.

Critical discourse analysis (or discourse analysis) is a research method for studying written or spoken language in relation to its social context. It aims to understand how language is used in real life situations.

When you conduct discourse analysis, you might focus on:

• The purposes and effects of different types of language
• Cultural rules and conventions in communication
• How values, beliefs and assumptions are communicated
• How language use relates to its social, political and historical context

Discourse analysis is a common qualitative research method in many humanities and social science disciplines, including linguistics, sociology, anthropology, psychology and cultural studies.  

Table of contents

What is discourse analysis used for, how is discourse analysis different from other methods, how to conduct discourse analysis, other interesting articles.

Conducting discourse analysis means examining how language functions and how meaning is created in different social contexts. It can be applied to any instance of written or oral language, as well as non-verbal aspects of communication such as tone and gestures.

Materials that are suitable for discourse analysis include:

• Books, newspapers and periodicals
• Marketing material, such as brochures and advertisements
• Business and government documents
• Websites, forums, social media posts and comments
• Interviews and conversations

By analyzing these types of discourse, researchers aim to gain an understanding of social groups and how they communicate.

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Unlike linguistic approaches that focus only on the rules of language use, discourse analysis emphasizes the contextual meaning of language.

It focuses on the social aspects of communication and the ways people use language to achieve specific effects (e.g. to build trust, to create doubt, to evoke emotions, or to manage conflict).

Instead of focusing on smaller units of language, such as sounds, words or phrases, discourse analysis is used to study larger chunks of language, such as entire conversations, texts, or collections of texts. The selected sources can be analyzed on multiple levels.

Discourse analysis is a qualitative and interpretive method of analyzing texts (in contrast to more systematic methods like content analysis ). You make interpretations based on both the details of the material itself and on contextual knowledge.

There are many different approaches and techniques you can use to conduct discourse analysis, but the steps below outline the basic structure you need to follow. Following these steps can help you avoid pitfalls of confirmation bias that can cloud your analysis.

Step 1: Define the research question and select the content of analysis

To do discourse analysis, you begin with a clearly defined research question . Once you have developed your question, select a range of material that is appropriate to answer it.

Discourse analysis is a method that can be applied both to large volumes of material and to smaller samples, depending on the aims and timescale of your research.

Step 2: Gather information and theory on the context

Next, you must establish the social and historical context in which the material was produced and intended to be received. Gather factual details of when and where the content was created, who the author is, who published it, and whom it was disseminated to.

As well as understanding the real-life context of the discourse, you can also conduct a literature review on the topic and construct a theoretical framework to guide your analysis.

Step 3: Analyze the content for themes and patterns

This step involves closely examining various elements of the material – such as words, sentences, paragraphs, and overall structure – and relating them to attributes, themes, and patterns relevant to your research question.

Step 4: Review your results and draw conclusions

Once you have assigned particular attributes to elements of the material, reflect on your results to examine the function and meaning of the language used. Here, you will consider your analysis in relation to the broader context that you established earlier to draw conclusions that answer your research question.

If you want to know more about statistics , methodology , or research bias , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

• Normal distribution
• Measures of central tendency
• Chi square tests
• Confidence interval
• Quartiles & Quantiles
• Cluster sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Thematic analysis
• Cohort study
• Peer review
• Ethnography

Research bias

• Implicit bias
• Cognitive bias
• Conformity bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Availability heuristic
• Attrition bias
• Social desirability bias

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Lillian, Donna L. "Canadian neo-conservative discourse a critical discourse analysis /." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2001. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp05/NQ66355.pdf.

Thornborrow, Joanna. "Discourse, power and ideology : some explorations in critical discourse analysis." Thesis, University of Strathclyde, 1991. http://oleg.lib.strath.ac.uk:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=21500.

Flobakk, Fride Røe. "Educational Neuroscience - A Critical Discourse Analysis." Thesis, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, Pedagogisk institutt, 2011. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:no:ntnu:diva-13057.

Tyrwhitt-Drake, Hugh. "A critique of critical discourse analysis." Thesis, University of Reading, 2005. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.424028.

Brodscholl, Per Christian. "Negotiating sustainability in the media: critical perspectives on the popularisation of environmental concerns." Curtin University of Technology, Faculty of Media, Society and Culture, 2003. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=13600.

Gillies, Donald. "Critical discourse analysis and current education policy." Thesis, University of Strathclyde, 2009. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.501919.

Michael, Michael. "Ordinary explanations as discourse : a critical analysis." Thesis, Durham University, 1986. http://etheses.dur.ac.uk/7059/.

Donno, Julian. "Make America Exceptional Again - Critical Discourse Analysis." Thesis, Malmö universitet, Fakulteten för kultur och samhälle (KS), 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-21045.

Foung, Kin Wai Dennis. "A critical discourse analysis of political speeches." HKBU Institutional Repository, 2008. https://repository.hkbu.edu.hk/etd_ra/979.

Wennberg, Alex. "Intuitivity in HCI : A critical discourse analysis." Thesis, KTH, Skolan för datavetenskap och kommunikation (CSC), 2017. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kth:diva-215274.

Aleshire, Seth Peter. "The Spectrum of Discourse: A Case Study Utilizing Critical Race Theory and Critical Discourse Analysis." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/338708.

Temple, Codruta. "Teaching and learning mathematical discourse in a Romanian classroom : a critical discourse analysis." Related electronic resource: Current Research at SU : database of SU dissertations, recent titles available, full text:, 2008. http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/syr/main.

Frissa, Merertu Mogga. "Reproduction of Power: A Critical Discourse Analysis on Female Circumcision." Thèse, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/19962.

Marko, Georg. "Penetrating language a critical discourse analysis of pornography." Tübingen Narr, 2005. http://d-nb.info/986878383/04.

Widdowson, Henry George. "Text, context, pretext : critical issues in discourse analysis /." Oxford : Blackwell, 2004. http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb41322428h.

Hill, Heather L. Budd John. "Outsourcing the public library a critical discourse analysis /." Diss., Columbia, Mo. : University of Missouri--Columbia, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10355/6126.

Weber, Jean Jacques. "Critical analysis of fiction : essays in discourse stylistics /." Amsterdam ; Atlanta (Ga.) : Rodopi, 1992. http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb356957750.

Gomez, John-Paul. "Critical Discourse Analysis of Sexual Enhancement Medication Ads." ScholarWorks@UNO, 2004. http://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/179.

Lemoine, Hannah. "Editorial Framing. Critical Discourse Analysis of Swedish Editorials." Thesis, Malmö högskola, Fakulteten för kultur och samhälle (KS), 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-23756.

Chan, Lit-chung. "Discourse of justice in Hong Kong." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 2006. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/HKUTO/record/B3955871X.

Liu, Shubo. "Advertising greenness in China : a critical discourse analysis of the corporate online advertising discourse." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/11738.

Ho, Hong Wai. "The discourse of gaming : a critical discourse analysis of casino promotional materials in Macau." Thesis, University of Macau, 2010. http://umaclib3.umac.mo/record=b2456334.

Lahlali, El Mustapha. "Morroccan classroom discourse and critical discourse analysis : the impact of social and cultural practice." Thesis, University of Leeds, 2003. http://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/451/.

Bernard, Taryn. "Justificatory discourse of the perpetrator in TRC testimonies : a discourse-historical analysis." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/1571.

DiAngelo, Robin J. "Whiteness in racial dialogue : a discourse analysis /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/7867.

Yates, Mark Timothy. "Congressional Debates Over Prisoner Education: A Critical Discourse Analysis." Digital Archive @ GSU, 2009. http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/eps_diss/39.

HAIG, EDWARD. "Some Observations on the Critique of Critical Discourse Analysis." 名古屋大学大学院国際言語文化研究科, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/2237/7888.

Doncaster, Katherine. "Making meaning in research interviews : a critical discourse analysis." Thesis, Lancaster University, 1995. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.260280.

Yates, Mark T. "Congressional debates over prisoner education a critical discourse analysis /." unrestricted, 2009. http://etd.gsu.edu/theses/available/etd-06092009-204218/.

Oliver, Hannah, and Hannah Oliver. "Politics of Climate Action Plans: A Critical Discourse Analysis." Thesis, University of Oregon, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1794/12424.

Johnson, Ayala Monique. "Ideology in home economics education : a critical discourse analysis." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/53523.

Fotiadou, Maria. "The discourse of careers services : a corpus-based critical discourse analysis of UK university websites." Thesis, University of Sunderland, 2017. http://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/10127/.

Davies, Alison. "Conceptions of 'talent' in official and student discourses within a music conservatoire : a critical discourse analysis." Thesis, Birmingham City University, 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.272089.

Berlinger, Randi S. "Negotiating Identities Through Langauge,Learning, and Conversation." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/194420.

Petitclerc, Adèle. "Le postulat critique au coeur de l'analyse de discours. Introduction critique aux bases méthodologiques et épistémologiques des Critical Discourse Studies." Thesis, Besançon, 2014. http://www.theses.fr/2014BESA1017/document.

Chan, Lit-chung, and 陳烈忠. "Discourse of justice in Hong Kong." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2006. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B3955871X.

Haig, Edward. "A Critical Discourse Analysis of Discourse Strategies in Reports of Youth Crime in UK Radio News." 名古屋大学大学院国際言語文化研究科, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2237/10138.

Dogan, Oguzhan. "Upper Elementary Mathematics Curriculum In Turkey: A Critical Discourse Analysis." Phd thesis, METU, 2012. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12614470/index.pdf.

Haber, Rebecca. "Urban revitalization and healthy public spaces, a critical discourse analysis." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/33817.

Tsang, Y. S. "Ideology and curriculum a critical analysis of school administrators' discourse /." Click to view the E-thesis via HKUTO, 2005. http://sunzi.lib.hku.hk/hkuto/record/B31679353.

Provencher, Laura Elizabeth. "A Critical Analysis of the Islamic Discourse of Interfaith Dialogue." Thesis, The University of Arizona, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/193449.

Attar, Mohammed Arif. "A critical discourse analysis of the 'GM Nation?' public debate." Thesis, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10443/1399.

Baker-Beall, Christopher. "The European Union's fight against terrorism : a critical discourse analysis." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2011. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/8964.

曾宇新 and Y. S. Tsang. "Ideology and curriculum: a critical analysis of school administrators' discourse." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2005. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B31679353.

Jerkins, Jae. "Resplendent Ares: Critical Analysis of the Modernist Discourse of Mars." Honors in the Major Thesis, University of Central Florida, 2006. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETH/id/1228.

MacLeod, Nicola Joan. "Police interviews with women reporting rape : A critical discourse analysis." Thesis, Aston University, 2010. http://publications.aston.ac.uk/15206/.

Peralta, Adriane Kayoko. "A Critical Discourse Analysis of the Obama Administration’s Education Speeches." Digital Commons at Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School, 2012. https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/etd/241.

Santy, Fertiana. "Representation of Muslim women in French jurisprudence : critical discourse analysis." Thesis, Aix-Marseille, 2019. http://www.theses.fr/2019AIXM0293.

Wallace, Alexandra. "Sustaining Patriarchy? : A Critical Discourse Analysis of Sustainable Urban Development." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för geovetenskaper, 2020. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-416636.

Brokensha, Steven. "Psychosocial discourse and the "new" reproductive technologies : a critical analysis." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 1989. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/14320.

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