I.

Introduction to Stylistics and Discourse Analysis

II. Overview/Introduction

Discourse Analysis and Stylistics are broad-based disciplines which deal with the functional aspects of
language. Both aim to show why and how the text means what it means (linguistically). While DA analyzes
what is communicated in Discourse, Stylistics analyzes how it is communicated. In Stylistics we are more
concerned with showing the uniqueness of the text we are analyzing. On the other hand, in discourse
analysis we are concerned with showing how a text analyzed is not unique. It is typical of its kind. Thus,
studies of classroom interaction and doctor-patient interaction aim to arrive at generalizations that
characterize such discourses.

The two disciplines often interact with each other. Thus Discourse-Stylistics is concerned with the analysis
of communication to reveal its function, using various tools of interpretation including textual
peculiarities. Such analysis enables us to appreciate style. Basically, it is concerned with the identification,
description and explanation of stylistic features in a given text or discourse situation (Opara ,2005).

III. Learning Outcomes

In this module, you will be able to:
• Expound given definitions of stylistics;
• Compare and contrast style and stylistics; and
• Reflect on the nature of discourse analysis by way of a summary

IV. Learning Experiences and Self-Assessment Activities (SAA)

Introduction to Stylistics
What is Stylistics? At the outset, it must be made clear that there are a number of definitions of stylistics
given by many scholars in the field of linguistics. However, the following definitions are vital as they
provide us sufficient knowledge to understand the meaning of the term “stylistics”:

Important Definitions:

1. The general definition of stylistics is that it is the study of style of the writers or the literary artists.

2. According to Lucas (1995) stylistics is the effective use of language in prose to make statements or
arouse emotions.

3. Stylistics can be also defined as the study of different styles that are present in the text or the utterance
of the character.

4. According to David Crystal stylistics is the study of certain aspects of language variations as a part of
linguistics.

5. G. N. Leech one of the renowned linguists opines that stylistics is the linguistic approach to literature
explaining the relation between language and its artistic function.

6. H. G. Widdowson says that stylistics involves both literary criticism and linguistics.

7. According to K. T. Khader stylistics an intensive study of literary text on an advanced level.

8. In the opinion of Thomas Kane stylistics is the study of linguistic choices the writer makes to express
his/her thought and feeling in an effective way.

9. Stylistics can be also defined as the study of the language deviations or the choice of language outside
of the range of normal language.

10. Stylistics may be defined as the study of language use according to the situation or the circumstances.

The above definitions are helpful in understanding the nature of stylistics.

Activity 1. Choose 2 definitions from the 10 stated

above. Explain each of them in 2-3 sentences each.
Write your short answers in the SAA Answer Sheet
where the corresponding rubric for this activity is
located.

The Nature and Scope of Stylistics

As we know that very individual is known from his or her style. Every person in the world possesses some
kind of style suitable for him/her. Similarly, every writer has his or her own style of writing. It is observed
that every writer makes use of linguistic choices to describe the situation and to portray his characters.
Therefore, it is interesting to study how the writers make use of certain structures in their writings.
Stylistics deals with a wide range of language varieties and styles that are possible in creating different
texts. There are certain possibilities for the writer to make the selection of the words from a wide range
of storehouse of the words such as synonyms, antonyms, homonyms, metonymy etc. The writer also
makes use of phonological, morphological and syntactic systems of linguistics depending on the situations.
Stylistics is the distinctive way to use language. Any prose writer or a poet or a playwright uses his unique
method to create a text. The choice of the linguistic units made by the writer reflects his/her ego and the
socio-cultural aspects in which the characters and situations exist.

Paul Simpson (2004) says:

Why should we do stylistics? To do stylistics is to explore language, and, more specifically, to

explore creativity in language use. Doing stylistics thereby enriches our ways of thinking about
language and, as observed; exploring language offers a substantial purchase on our
understanding of (literary) texts. (p.3)

Style and Stylistics

‘Style’ is a term used to refer to ‘the personal use an individual makes in speech or writing of the language
available to him.’ (Hartmann and Stork ,1972). In other words, it refers the choices a speaker or writer
makes from among the phonological grammatical and lexical resources of his language (Beogrande and
Dressler,1981:16)

The study of style is called stylistics. Traditionally, it was carried out to investigate ‘variations in usage
among literary and other texts,’ or more generally ‘any systematic variation, in either speech or writing
which relates to the type of discourse or its context’(Matthews ,2007 :385).Thus, public lectures have a
style different from that of casual conversations among friends. However, the words style and stylistics
now have the specialized, narrow usage of linguistics applied to literature. According to Katie Wales (2001)
‘the goal of most stylistics is not simply to describe the formal features of texts for their own sake, but in
order to show their functional significance for the interpretation of the text; or in order to relate literary
effects to linguistic 'causes' where these are felt to be relevant.’

Boiled down to its most basic definition, style refers to the way in which an author uses language in order
to create the mood and meaning of a text. This could include his or her word choice, diction, syntax,
repetition, any figurative language (such as metaphor, similes, personification, apostrophe, metonymy,
synecdoche, and so forth), etc. Style mainly refers to what kind of language a writer is using, and it is used
in discussions of literature.

Stylistics refers to a study of the devices used in language that affect one's interpretation of a text. One
might investigate, say, the particular rhetorical devices used by an author as well as why he or she would
have chosen a specific stylistic device for a specific purpose.

"Style" refers to the set of techniques and types of language utilized by a writer to exhibit the unique
personality and voice of their writing. Writers can use dialects in dialogue, alternate sentence lengths, or
prioritize active or passive voice in the creation of their writing style. Style is important in analyzing
literature as it can further convey the meaning of a text by emphasizing or subverting certain details, or
show whether the text is expository, descriptive, persuasive, or narrative.
Stylistics is a branch of applied linguistics concerned with the study of style in texts, especially, but not
exclusively, in literary works. Also called literary linguistics, stylistics focuses on the figures, tropes, and
other rhetorical devices used to provide variety and a distinctness to someone's writing. It is linguistic
analysis plus literary criticism.

Studying a text closely helps to unearth layers of meaning that run deeper than just the basic plot, which
happens on the surface level.

Activity 2. Fill-in the Venn Diagram found in the SAA

Answer Sheet to compare and contrast the
characteristics of style and stylistics. Use phrases only
on your diagram, not complete ideas.

Introduction to Discourse Analysis

What is discourse?

Discourse is “A continuous stretch of language larger than a sentence, often constituting a coherent unit,
such as sermon, argument, joke or narrative.” (Crystal:1992) “stretches of language perceived to be
meaningful, unified and purposive.” Cook (1989) Common Features: It is a stretch of language longer than
a sentence. It is meaningful and coherent. It communicates and has a purpose It may be spoken or written.

Other meanings of discourse

• The word discourse has a complex history. It is used in a range of different ways by different theorists.

• Originally the word ‘discourse’ comes from Latin, ‘discursus’ which denoted ‘conversations’, ‘speech’.
• As a noun it can mean verbal communication, talk, formal speech or writing on a subject and a unit of
text used by linguists for the analysis of linguistic phenomena that range over more than one sentence

What is the difference between text and discourse?

Some linguists define discourse as “the study of texts in contexts”. In this view, discourse is language in
action (or interaction) and the text is the grammatical and meaningful record of that interaction.

What is the context?

The context of a text is the information needed to interpret the text and make sense of it. This includes
information about the interlocutors (speaker and listener), the setting (time and place) of the speech
event, and the purpose of the interaction.

What is discourse analysis?

The term discourse analysis was first employed by Zellig Harris as the name for ‘a method for the analysis
of the connected speech or writing for continuing descriptive linguistics beyond the limit of a single
sentence at a time and for correlating culture and language’ (Harris 1952).

Discourse analysis is sometimes defined as the analysis of language 'beyond the sentence'. This contrasts
with types of analysis more typical of modern linguistics, which are chiefly concerned with the study of
grammar: the study of smaller bits of language, such as sounds (phonetics and phonology), parts of words
(morphology), meaning (semantics), and the order of words in sentences (syntax). Discourse analysts
study larger chunks of language as they flow together.

Some discourse analysts consider the larger discourse context in order to understand how it affects the
meaning of the sentence. For example, Charles Fillmore points out that two sentences taken together as
a single discourse can have meanings different from each one taken separately. To illustrate, he asks you
to imagine two independent signs at a swimming pool: "Please use the toilet, not the pool," says one. The
other announces, "Pool for members only." If you regard each sign independently, they seem quite
reasonable. But taking them together as a single discourse makes you go back and revise your
interpretation of the first sentence after you've read the second.

Other Definitions of Discourse Analysis

✓ Discourse analysis, also called discourse studies, was developed during the 1970s as an academic
field. Discourse analysis is a broad term for the study of the ways in which language is used
between people, both in written texts and spoken contexts.

✓ Whereas other areas of language study might focus on individual parts of language—such as
words and phrases (grammar) or the pieces that make up words (linguistics)—discourse analysis
looks at a running conversation involving a speaker and listener (or a writer's text and its reader).

✓ Discourse analysis is the study of how stretches of language used in communication assume
meaning, purpose and unity for their users: the quality of coherence (Encyclopedic Dictionary of
Applied Linguistics by Keith Johnson and Helen Johnson,1998)
 ✓ In discourse analysis, the context of a conversation is taken into account as well as what's being
said. This context may encompass a social and cultural framework, including the location of a
speaker at the time of the discourse, as well as nonverbal cues such as body language, and, in the
case of textual communication, it may also include images and symbols. "[It's] the study of real
language use, by real speakers in real situations," explains Teun A. van Dijk, a noted author and
scholar in the field.

Example:

A: That’s the telephone.

B: I’m in the bath
A: O.K.

How do both the speakers manage to make sense of what the other says? The 1st speaker makes a request
for the 2nd speaker to perform action. The 2nd speaker state reason why he cannot comply with the
request. The 1st speaker undertakes to perform the action. Thus, language users must have a lot of
knowledge (non-linguistic) of how conversation works that is not simply ‘linguistic’ knowledge.

What Discourse Analysis Does

Misunderstanding relayed information can lead to problems—big or small. Being able to distinguish subtle
subtext in order to differentiate between factual reporting and fake news, editorials, or propaganda is
crucial to interpreting true meaning and intent. This is the reason that having well-developed skills in the
critical analysis of discourse—to be able to "read between the lines" of verbal and/or written
communication—is of utmost importance.

Since the establishment of the field, discourse analysis has evolved to include a wide range of topics, from
the public versus private use of language to official versus colloquial rhetoric, and from oratory to written
and multimedia discourses. The field of study has further branched out to be paired with the fields of
psychology, anthropology, and philosophy, thus meshing linguistics with sociology.

Activity 3. Summarize your understanding of

discourse analysis in a paragraph composed of 5
sentences which includes a personal insight about
discourse analysis. Write your summary in the SAA
Answer Sheet.
V. Summary/Key Points

✓ Stylistics is concerned with showing the uniqueness of the text being analyzed.
✓ Stylistics deals with a wide range of language varieties and styles that are possible in creating
different texts.
✓ It is linguistic analysis plus literary criticism.

✓ Discourse analysis looks at conversations in their social context.

✓ Discourse analysis melds linguistics and sociology by taking into account the social and cultural
context that language is used.
✓ It can be used by businesses, academic researchers, or the government—any person or
organization that wants to better understand an aspect of communication.
VI. SAA Answer Sheet

Activity 1. Choose 2 definitions from the 10 stated definitions of stylistics. Explain each of them in 2-3
sentences each. Write your short answers below the rubric for this activity.

Needs improvement Approaching standards Good Excellent

1 point 2 points 3 points 4 points
Ideas and
Content There is no clear or You put thought into What you are writing What you are writing
specific explanation this, but there is no about is clear. You about is clear and
in answer to the real evidence of answered the question. well-expressed,
question. learning. More specific Some support may be including specific
information is needed lacking, or your examples to
or you need to follow sentences may be a bit demonstrate what you
the directions more awkward. Overall, a learned. Well done!
closely. decent job.
Use of
terms No terms from the Only one term from the Your answer included Your answer included
lesson are used. lesson is used in the several terms from the all the terms from the
answer. Try for a few lesson, demonstrating lesson that applied to
more, next time. adequate the question asked. All
understanding of the terms are fully defined
material. and used in the proper
context.
Sentence
Fluency Sentences are Some sentences are Sentences are complete Sentences are
incomplete or too complete and easy to and able to be complete and they
long. It makes understand. Others understood. connect to one
reading them require some work. another easily when
difficult. they are read out
loud. Your writing
'flows.'
Conventions
Few end marks or Mistakes using end Use of punctuation No punctuation or
capital letters. marks or capitals as marks and capitals, as structural mistakes.
Answers contain well as spelling well as spelling, is No spelling errors.
numerous spelling mistakes make the mostly correct. Few Your writing shows full
or structural errors. writing hard to read. errors exist in your awareness of the rules
answer. of English use.
https://www.rcampus.com/rubricshowc.cfm?code=U66W43&sp=true

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Activity 2. Fill-in the Venn Diagram to compare and contrast the characteristics of style and stylistics. Use
phrases only on your diagram, not complete ideas. Please be guided by the rubric that follows.
Venn Diagram Rubric

http://teacherchavez.weebly.com/homework/venn-diagram-comparing-and-contrasting-characters-
rubric

Activity 3. Summarize your understanding of discourse analysis in a paragraph composed of 5 sentences

which includes a personal insight about discourse analysis. Write your summary in below.

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VII. End of Module Assessment

Fill-in the blanks with correct answers.

1. _____________________ refers the choices a speaker or writer makes from among the phonological
grammatical and lexical resources of his language.

2. ____________________ refers to a study of the devices used in language that affect one's
interpretation of a text.

3. The term discourse analysis was first employed by ____________________.

4. _____________________ is a stretch of language longer than a sentence.

5. _____________________ is the study of how stretches of language used in communication assume

meaning, purpose and unity for their users.

Answer Key:
1. style
2. stylistics
3. Zellig Harris
4. discourse
5. discourse analysis

IX. Looking Ahead

What are the elements of style characterizing the language used in written works?
Where do we apply discourse analysis?

X. Self and Module Evaluation

On each description below, please check the column that best describes your evaluation of this module.

Strongly Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly

Agree Disagree
1. The learning outcomes are clearly stated and
attainable.
2. The introduction part is interesting.
3. The presented concepts enables the learner to
attain the target learning outcomes.
4. The concepts presented are detailed and
comprehensive.
5. The questions on the Self-Assessment Activity
are reflective of the lessons suggested in the
Learning Experience part of the module.
6. The questions posted in the module encourage
critical thinking.
7. The instructions in the Self-Assessment Activity
are clearly stated.
 8. The general concepts/key points are logically
summarized.
9. The module enables the learner to use his/her
prior knowledge.
10. The sources of information are cited in the
module for verification and acknowledgement
purposes.

XI. References

https://www.thoughtco.com/stylistics-language-studies-1692000
http://www.puneresearch.com/media/data/issues/5851747179068.pdf
https://www.linguisticsociety.org/resource/discourse-analysis-what-speakers-do-conversation
https://www.thoughtco.com/discourse-analysis-or-da-1690462
https://www.slideshare.net/gibreelsadeq/discourse-analysis-51604310