EL4012 - Introduction to Discourse Analysis

The module will be delivered through a combination of interactive lectures and seminars. Key themes and concepts will be introduced in lectures and supported by seminars that allow for group work and the analysis of spoken and written texts. All topics within the module will be supported by reference to set readings, which you will read outside of class to further develop your knowledge and understanding of the main areas under discussion.

In addition to learning during taught hours with the module tutor, you will be expected to undertake both directed and independent learning. Directed learning generally will take the form of preparation for seminars where you will be expected to contribute to group work and full class discussion. Independent learning generally will take the form of further reading and investigation, the consolidation of seminar notes, and revision/preparation for the assessment of the module.

All learning materials and seminar tasks will be posted on the eLP (e-learning portal) to facilitate full participation in the module. Additionally, you will receive formative feedback on your ideas and understanding throughout the module. The module’s final, summative assessments will also provide an opportunity for learning.

The module aims to introduce you to the nature of discourse and some of the key methods of analysing it. Thus, lectures and seminars will develop your academic knowledge and skills, to help you attain the module learning outcomes. Your academic development will also be facilitated through engagement with the academic literature and by talking with your peers and the module tutor about your understanding of this literature (i.e. reading around the topic, and discussing and reflecting upon what you have read) as well as through sharing your thoughts about the findings of your textual analyses.

The module handbook provides details of lectures, seminars, reading lists and assessment criteria; lecture materials are made available on the eLP (see above). The module tutor will be available in lectures and seminars, as well as in ‘Feedback and consultation hours’ (i.e. ‘office hours’) and on email, to discuss any queries or concerns you have about how to excel academically on the module. Formative feedback will be on-going throughout seminar activities.

In addition, you have a designated Guidance Tutor throughout the entire duration of your programme. The academic side of the Guidance Tutor’s role includes: monitoring your ongoing academic progress; helping you to develop self-reflection skills necessary for continuous academic development; directing you to further available services which can help them with their academic skills (e.g. Library’s Skills Plus). You are advised to see your Guidance Tutor at least twice each semester to review your academic progress..

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of discourse and key ways to analyse both spoken and written language.
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2. Show the ability to recognise a variety of discourses and to analyse spoken and written texts.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Demonstrate the ability to collect and organise and present a ideas and evidence to illustrate and justify an argument and position.
4. Present ideas and arguments inspeech and writing in an academic context, with appropriate use of ICT

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
1. Demonstrate the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with others.

Formative assessment

1. You will discuss your ideas during seminars and will receive formative feedback from the module tutor and peers
2. You will be given written feedback on the first component of your first assignment which you will use to inform the second component of your first assignment. This is intended to help you both engage with and respond to feedback.
3. Formative assessments address MLOs in ‘Knowledge and Understanding’, ‘Intellectual/Professional skills & abilities’, and ‘Personal Values Attributes’.

Summative (graded) Assessments

1. An academic essay of 1,500 words (for which you will receive feedback)


2. An analysis of 1,500 words on a text related to the discourses of advertising, politics, medicine, education or law.


The assessment will be part of the learning process, and addresses all five MLOS.

Feedback will be provided using the Programme template and comments on the scripts.

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Please find details of this module in the other sections provided.