Midterm Quiz on Discourse Analysis Concepts

Course Overview

• The course is about discourse analysis, covering core concepts and tools.
• Students will learn to understand, describe, and analyze different texts and interactions.
• Lectures will include concepts, theories, examples, and discussions.
• Exercises will focus on specific issues based on assigned readings and text analyses.
• Course assessments include a midterm quiz, individual term paper, and a final exam.

Assessment

• The midterm quiz is focused on assessing students' understanding of core concepts and theories of Discourse Analysis.
• The individual term paper requires students to conduct a discourse analysis of a text (or group of related texts) and analyze their chosen text(s).
• Students can select texts from sources like a newspaper article, a speech, a social media post, or any written or spoken communication.
• The final exam will assess students' mastery of concepts and theories learned throughout the course.

Discourse Defined

• Discourse refers to verbal interchange of ideas, connected speech or writing, a linguistic unit bigger than a sentence, and a method of organizing knowledge, ideas, or experiences rooted in language and its contexts.
• Discourse analysis is about the relationship between linguistic choices and their context.

Example Discourse Analysis:

• Example 1: "Hi mom. How was your day?"
• Example 2: "Good afternoon, Mr. Principal. "
• The difference between the two examples demonstrates how discourse can be organized differently based on context and the nature of the relationship between speakers.
• Ray's relationship with his mother is seemingly more friendly than his relationship with the principal.
• The choice of words, like "hi" versus "good afternoon," suggests a difference in formality and relationship dynamic.

This midterm quiz evaluates students' understanding of core concepts and theories in Discourse Analysis. It will cover key terms, frameworks, and analytical tools necessary for interpreting various texts and interactions. Prepare to demonstrate your knowledge through a variety of questions related to the course materials.