Practice-Based Research: Teaching Resource

Textual and Discourse Analysis

Textual analysis is a broad term that encompasses various approaches to interpreting textual material (including prose, film, games, comics, etc.).  The purpose of the analysis may be to offer a deeper understanding of the text, to examine the process of creating or making a text, or to throw light upon the text’s relation to other fields (such as philosophy, sociology, theology, etc.).  Quite often, if you are asked to compose a straightforward critical essay related to a module, textual analysis is the primary research method you will employ.

Textual analysis generally begins with a close reading of the text (or multiple texts, if conducting discourse analysis), wherein you familiarize yourself with the text and pose questions about it.  These areas include its genre, themes, metaphor, use of language, narrative structures, etc.  Once you have a deeper grasp on these elements, you can begin to ask questions about why or how the text uses them, to ascertain deeper meanings and cultural discourse.  This close reading leads to an early research question.  

Example: In reading Neil Gaiman’s Sandman graphic novels, you may notice that he deviates from the typical black-on-white speech bubbles for certain characters, instead using white-on-black.  You may ask why he has chosen this schema, how this communicates character and theme, and perhaps offers a visual metaphor.  As you dig deeper, you may form the thesis that this reversal of speech bubbles is used for the character of Dream because the character is only fully realized when his subjects sleep.

In order to answer questions raised by your close reading, different theoretical approaches may be incorporated.  You should build upon the base of critical readings you’ve been assigned to determine which is/are appropriate and useful to your analysis.  Relevant areas often include Formalism, New Criticism, Structuralism, semiotics, narratology, philosophy, stylistics, gender studies, discourse analysis, etc.  These approaches may also be combined as appropriate.  

Example: You might decide to incorporate a semiotic analysis of the visual representation of the text, combining it with cultural studies and mythology readings to explore the concepts of gods, dreams, and how they are represented.

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