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.

Table of Contents:
List of Figures List of Texts Preface Acknowledgements Introduction: Motivating Principles and Procedures Literary Narrative Newspaper Reports Women's Talk Children's Talk Political Speeches Fictional Narrative in a Regional Dialect Television Advertisements New Language Forms Appendix 1: Analysed Texts Appendix 2: Selective Glossary Bibliography Name Index Subject Index.

About the Author :
HILARY HILLIER has taught Modern English Language at the University of Nottingham and at The Open University, East Midlands Region. She is currently a freelance writer and researcher. HILARY HILLIER has taught Modern English Language at the University of Nottingham and at The Open University, East Midlands Region. She is currently a freelance writer and researcher.

Review :
'Analysing Real Texts is a first-class introduction to text analysis projects. It is well thought out and written in a clear, engaging style. It will be popular and useful at both undergraduate and master's level.' - Ann Hewings, Centre for Language and Communications, The Open University 'An excellent contribution to the analysis of English rooted in a remarkable variety of texts, from a range of spoken and written contexts. The tools for analysis are explained with great lucidity and the commentaries are always replicable, insightful and student-friendly. The book really shows students of the English language how that language works in the everyday commerce of language use and then guides them to do analysis and discussion for themselves. Highly recommended.' - Professor Ron Carter, School of English Studies, University of Nottingham