Have you ever wondered why a simple “Hello” can feel like a warm embrace in one context and a cold dismissal in another? Or how a political speech manages to persuade thousands without actually making a single concrete promise? Welcome to the world of Discourse Analysis.
Below is the exam paper download link
Past Paper On Discourse Analysis For Revision
Above is the exam paper download link
Unlike basic grammar, which looks at sentences in isolation, Discourse Analysis looks at “language in use.” It’s the study of how we create meaning across stretches of text and how social power, identity, and context shape every word we utter. For many students, this unit feels “airy” or subjective—until they see the exam paper.
The secret to mastering this subject isn’t just reading more theory; it’s practicing the application of that theory to real-world transcripts and texts. To help you sharpen your analytical lens, we’ve put together a specialized Q&A session based on recurring exam themes, followed by a link to download a full revision paper.
The Architecture of Conversation: Revision Q&A
Q1: What is the difference between “Cohesion” and “Coherence” in a text?
A: This is a classic “Section A” question that trips many up.
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Cohesion refers to the visible “glue” of the text—the linguistic links like conjunctions (however, therefore), pronouns, and repetition that tie sentences together.
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Coherence is the invisible “sense” of the text. It’s the logical consistency that allows a reader to understand the message even if the cohesive ties are thin. In an exam, you’ll likely be asked to identify “Anaphoric” and “Cataphoric” references—terms that describe whether a pronoun points backward or forward in the text.
Q2: How does “Speech Act Theory” explain what we do with our words?
A: Developed by J.L. Austin, this theory suggests that every utterance has three layers:
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Locutionary act: The actual words said.
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Illocutionary act: The intended meaning (e.g., saying “It’s cold in here” might actually be a request to close the window).
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Perlocutionary act: The effect on the listener. Examiners love to give you a dialogue and ask you to identify the “indirect speech acts” hidden within.
Q3: What is “Critical Discourse Analysis” (CDA), and why is it political?
A: CDA isn’t just about what is said, but what is hidden. It looks at how language sustains power and inequality. If you are analyzing a news report about a strike, CDA asks: Who is given a voice? Are the strikers described using “active” or “passive” verbs? By practicing with past papers, you learn to spot how ideology is baked into the very syntax of a sentence.
Q4: Explain “Turn-taking” and “Adjacency Pairs” in Conversation Analysis.
A: Conversation isn’t a free-for-all; it has a structure. Adjacency Pairs are automatic sequences, like a greeting followed by a greeting or a question followed by an answer. When a “preferred response” is missing (like someone ignoring a question), it signals social tension. Understanding these patterns is key to analyzing transcripts of natural speech.
Why You Should Practice with This Past Paper
In a Discourse Analysis exam, you aren’t just writing an essay; you are performing an autopsy on a piece of communication. Here is why the resource below is a game-changer:
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Mastering Transcription Symbols: Can you read a transcript that uses brackets for overlapping speech or dots for pauses? Past papers get you used to the “notation” of spoken discourse.
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Applying Grice’s Maxims: You will likely be asked to identify when someone is “flouting a maxim” (being intentionally vague or ironic). Practice makes these social nuances easier to catch.
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Time Management: Analyzing a two-page transcript takes time. Practicing with a real paper helps you learn how to skim for the “big” features (like power shifts or hedging) without getting bogged down in every single word.
Your Free Revision Resource
Ready to stop guessing and start analyzing? We have curated a high-standard Discourse Analysis Past Paper to help you refine your analytical skills and boost your confidence.
[Download: Discourse Analysis Revision Past Paper (PDF)]
(Pro-tip: When revising, take a random news article and try to find five “cohesive ties.” Then, look for what is NOT being said—the “silences” in the text often speak louder than the words themselves!)
Final Thoughts
Discourse is the water we swim in every day. By mastering these papers, you are learning to see the invisible currents of power and meaning that surround us. Download the paper, grab your highlighters, and start deconstructing.
