,2 MEDIA, LANGUAGE AND DISCOURSE (20) 2.1 Define and
discuss the following concepts and provide examples of each: 2.1.1
Text (3 marks for the definition and discussion and 1 mark for the
relevant example). (4) [25% deduction for not referencing sources]
2.1.2 Discourse or discursive practice (3 marks for the definition
and discussion and 2 marks for relevant examples). (5) [25%
deduction for not referencing sources] 2.1.3 Orders of discourse (3
marks for the definition and discussion and 1 mark for the relevant
example). (4) [25% deduction for not referencing sources] 2.2
Critically discuss the role of language in society (4) [25% deduction
for not referencing sources] 2.3 Explain the concept of polysemy
with relevant examples. (3) [25% deduction for not referencing
sources]
2 MEDIA, LANGUAGE, AND DISCOURSE
2.1 Definitions and Discussions
2.1.1 Text
Definition and Discussion: In media and discourse studies, a "text"
refers to any piece of written, spoken, or visual material that can be
analyzed for meaning. Texts are not limited to traditional written
documents but include all forms of communication that convey
information or messages. Texts can be literary works, news articles,
advertisements, films, or even social media posts.
A text is analyzed to uncover underlying meanings, ideologies, and
power structures. The study of texts involves examining the
language used, the context in which it appears, and the potential
messages it conveys to its audience.
, Example: A newspaper article reporting on climate change is a text.
Analyzing this text might reveal how it frames climate change,
which sources it cites, and the potential biases in its representation
of the issue.
References:
• Gee, J. P. (2014). How to do Discourse Analysis: A Toolkit.
Routledge.
2.1.2 Discourse or Discursive Practice
Definition and Discussion: Discourse, or discursive practice, refers
to the use of language and other forms of communication within a
social context to produce and reproduce knowledge, beliefs, and
social practices. It encompasses the ways in which language is used
to construct meaning and shape our understanding of the world.
Discursive practices are shaped by and help to reinforce social
norms, ideologies, and power relations.
Discourse analysis focuses on understanding how language
functions in various contexts to construct social realities. It
examines how specific ways of speaking or writing are tied to
particular social practices and power dynamics.
Examples:
1. Political Discourse: Political speeches often use rhetoric to
persuade and mobilize supporters. For instance, a political
leader's speech on national security might use terms like
"threat" and "safety" to frame a particular issue in a way that
aligns with their policy agenda.
2. Medical Discourse: In healthcare, the language used by
medical professionals can influence patient perceptions and
treatment outcomes. For example, the way a doctor describes a