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Discourse Analysis Essay Example
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140053961 SG2056Student Number: 140053961
Course: SG2056 Qualitative Analysis of Social Research Data
,140053961 SG2056
Introduction: 3
Data: 4
Analysis: 5
First: 6
Second: 6
Third: 7
Fourth: 7
Conclusion: 8
Bibliography: 9
Appendices: 10
Appendix 1: 10
Part two 11
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Part one
Introduction:
The assignment will be examining the method of discourse analysis within analysing a speech
by Theresa May. Discourse analysis is viewed in different aspects depending on the sociologist.
For example, Michel Foucault views critical discourse analysis as an emphasis on “the role of
language as a power resource that is related to ideology and socio-cultural change.” (Bryman,
2008, p. 540.). On the other hand, Potter states that discourse analysis “emphasizes the way
versions of the world of society, events and inner psychological worlds are produced in
discourse”. (Bryman, 2008, p. 532.). In addition, there are two different forms of discourse
analysis: the Foucauldian approach and the Linguistic approach. The Foucauldian approach is
seen to be a “recent” approach, that views it as a social practice. Furthermore, language is
constructive, meaning that it constitutes a perspective of social reality. (Bryman, 2008, p. 534.).
Similarly, Foucault views the function of discourse is to “(re)secure dominant relations of
power.” (Graham, 2005, p. 4.). Implying that language of the discourse is supposed to engage
with reality and social struggles.
Moreover, Foucault outlines the connection between power and knowledge, in which language
is connected with power, that creates the reproduction of social systems. (Dremel and Matic,
2014, p. 3). The focus will be on the Foucauldian approach and the critical discourse analysis.
The approaches will be practiced by focusing on the language (words and statements),
knowledge and power in May’s speech.
In addition, James Gee states in his book An Introduction to Discourse Analysis that “discourse
analysis is the study of language.” (Gee, 1999, p. 8) Gee, outlines the different approaches of
discourse analysis; in which some are concerned with the content and others are concerned
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with the linguistics type. Thus, James Gee, described two different types of discourse analysis:
descriptive and critical. The descriptive approach focuses on understanding language by
describing its functions. On the other hand, the critical approach deals with the political, social
or institutional issues in language. The critical approach helps uncover the knowledge which a
discourse can carry. (Gee, 1999).
Moreover, An academic journal by Diaz Bone et al. analyses the Foucauldian concept of
discourse analysis. The journal The Field of Foucauldian Discourse Analysis states that
Foucault’s idea of discourse revolves around the knowledge we use to engage in our attempt
to understand the world, is present in the complex power relations that each actor or institution
constitutes as their interpretation of “reality”. (Diaz-Bone et al., 2016). The statements
mentioned previously, will be the method I use to analyse May’s political speech, in which I
will be looking at power relations, knowledge inside the discourse and how language is used
to portray that to the audience.
Data:
The data used in this assignment is a persuasive political speech. Theresa May delivered the
speech for the first time since she became the prime minister of Britain on October 2nd 2016.
The purpose of the speech is to deliver the positive effects of Brexit, which the conservative
party pushed for. A persuasive speech is “a specific type of speech in which the speaker has a
goal of convincing the audience to accept his or her point of view.” (Boundless, 2016) Theresa
May’s speech was able to cover the three main contents in a persuasive speech which are ethos
(credibility) for example: “The government I lead” (May, 2016, line 4), logos (logic) in which
May stated, “The referendum result was clear. It was legitimate.” (2016, line 28), and pathos
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