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  • Chapter 3 - Investigating Discourse Units

  • Tony McEnery, Lancaster University, Isobelle Clarke, Lancaster University, Gavin Brookes, Lancaster University
  • Book:
    Learner Language, Discourse and Interaction
    Published online:
    09 January 2025
    Print publication:
    23 January 2025, pp 70-101
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  • Summary

    This chapter shifts the analysis to the macro-structural (discourse unit) level. Short-text MDA reveals five dimensions at the discourse unit level (ten distinct functions). This chapter deals with the first three dimensions. The analysis begins with a brief discussion of the first dimension before exploring in depth the second and third dimensions. Throughout the analysis is guided by an exploration of prototypical discourse units – those discourse units most strongly associated with either side of a dimension. This allows an exploration of the roles of the L1 and the L2 speakers in the use of the functions as well as the interaction between discourse unit function and task, level of proficiency and attainment in the examination. These early studies show that that discourse unit functions are sensitive to task in particular and that the role of the examiner in the examination may be seen to vary through discourse unit functions as the proficiency of the L2 speaker increases. The chapter also remarks on links between micro-structural discourse functions and those at the macro-level.