Analysing Real Texts: Research Studies in Modern English Language

This practical guide is ideal for all those who wish to carry out close study of the way the English language is used in real situations. Hilary Hillier adopts a 'learning-by-doing' approach, presenting a series of small research studies that demonstrate a range of analytical perspectives and linguistic frameworks. Analysing Real Texts - examines a wide variety of texts, including informal talk, fictional narrative, newspaper reports, political speeches and TV advertisements - places each text in an overall framework showing the variation to be found within spoken and written language - explores some of the newer forms of written language which have come into existence through technological developments, such as email and text messaging - draws upon, and inter-relates, analytical approaches from traditional and systemic functional grammar, sociolinguistics, ethnomethodology, and conversation and discourse analysis This essential text provides an in-depth analytical model which can be easily tailored to meet the needs of both students and teachers. Approachable and easy-to-follow, Analysing Real Texts will inspire and help readers to devise comparable studies of their own based on their individual interests, background and experience.