Discourse is the use of language and methods of communicating within a community. Discourse analysis is the study of these communications in order to gain a deeper understanding of the way people communicate or of the community. As the Bloome book points out, "many authors of discourse analysis studies either do not specify their definition of discourse or discourse analysis or give vague definitions. They assume an unarticulated shared understanding of underlying constructs and a logic-of-inquiry." In my 4 years as an English major, I have heard the word "discourse" defined about 100 different ways. This can be a bit confusing, and this particular text doesn't seem to be a whole lot of help. Thankfully, I know we will go over it in detail in class, which will help me understand a little better.
I might use discourse analysis as a research method if I wanted to find what styles of teaching have the most profound and lasting effect on students. As a future professor, it is important for me to know how the language I use is interpreted by my students so that I can alter my discourse to have the most impact. As a student, I am already doing this type of research. With each new semester, I am presented with new professors whose methods of discourse I consciously or subconsciously analyze, and by the end of the semester (or sometimes far earlier,) I am able to decide what I liked and didn't like about their teaching methods. From that information, I can decide what I think I should or shouldn't do when I am teaching. I also must pay attention to the comments of my classmates, and observe their concerns. Do they find a professor boring or interesting? Are the things the professor talks about relevant? Is the information presented clearly? All of these questions, and many more, help me decide the effectiveness of the professor's discourse, and will one day be the same questions that my students ask.
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