Multiple Approaches to Analysing Academic Discourses: Similarities and Differences

Abstract

Within the previous two decades, a considerable variety of approaches has been utilised to understand and explore the complex, multifaceted essence of academic discourses. These approaches are guided by either pedagogical needs and/or based on the emic or etic perspectives of writers. Consequently, due to the increasing numbers of teachers and scholars who are interested in investigating and exploring academic discourses, it could be probably helpful to obtain knowledge about the approaches employed for studying academic discourses. Hence, this article compares definitions and analyses of the main approaches, specifically textual, contextual and critical ones, to studying academic discourses by novice researchers and highlights the similarities and/or differences in the analysis procedures.  As a result, researchers could identify which approach can be appropriately used to achieve their research goals and interests.

Keywords

• academic discourse,approaches

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