Critical Discourse Analysis: An Overview1

Abstract

This paper provides an overview of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), a relatively recent approach to analyzing discourse. The paper begins with the various definitions of the term "discourse," then provides a brief overview of the basic tenets of CDA as outlined by its practitioners. This is followed by a summary of two representative works in CDA. The merits of CDA are pointed out, as are the criticisms leveled at the approach and the responses to them. The paper concludes with a general evaluation of the contributions of CDA to the field of discourse analysis..