What You Need to Know

Key Concept Diagram

Discourse refers to language in use within its social and cultural context

Language choices position readers to adopt particular views and values

Ideology is a set of values or beliefs naturalised through repeated language patterns in texts

Critical readers interrogate who benefits from and who is marginalised by a text's discourses

Key Vocabulary

Discourse

A system of language and meanings that constructs a particular social reality or way of understanding the world

Ideology

A set of beliefs and values that are presented in texts as natural or common sense but reflect the interests of particular groups

Positioning

The way a text constructs a particular role or viewpoint for the reader, shaping how they interpret events and characters

Hegemony

The dominance of particular ideas and values achieved through cultural and linguistic practices rather than force

Knowledge Check

Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.

Question 1

A newspaper consistently uses passive voice when describing corporate pollution (e.g. "Chemicals were released"). What effect does this create?

It emphasises the severity of the pollution It positions readers to empathise with the community It increases the urgency of the reporting It obscures who is responsible for the action

Question 2

The term "ideology" in critical discourse analysis refers to:

A set of values naturalised through language A character's personal beliefs in a novel The structure of an argument The genre of a text

Question 3

Which approach best describes critical discourse analysis?

Examining only the grammar and vocabulary of a text Analysing how language use reflects and constructs social power Summarising the main ideas of a text accurately Identifying the literary devices used by an author

Critical Discourse Analysis