What is a discourse?

Definition
	A discourse is an instance of language use whose type can be classified on the basis of such factors as grammatical and lexical choices and their distribution in
	main versus supportive materials theme style, and the framework of knowledge and expectations within which the addressee interprets the discourse.

Kinds
	Here are some kinds of discourse:
	What is a compound discourse? What is expository discourse? What is hortatory discourse? What is a narrative discourse? What is a procedural discourse? What is a repartee discourse?

Generic
	A discourse is a kind of
	What is meaning and pragmatic function?

Sources
	Crystal 1985 96
	Elson and Pickett 1988 163
	Longacre 1990 1–2
	Hanks 1987 670

Context for this page:

Concept module: discourse
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): D
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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