"An exemplary textbook. Making even the most complex ideas fully accessible, it is grounded in an extensive literature, filled with engaging examples, and offers ample suggestions for independent research. It’s been a key text in my classes for over a decade and, as fresh and relevant as ever, will continue to buttress my graduate seminars and undergraduate courses alike.”

- Professor Crispin Thurlow, University of Washington

Comprehensive, practical, lively and accessible, Working with Spoken Discourse is the much-loved benchmark for learning to do discourse analysis. It combines theory and practice to give students the grounding they need in practical techniques of analyzing talk and how to apply them to real data.

• Begins with the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of doing discourse analysis


• Packs examples into every chapter to help explain complex concepts


• Uses exercises and activities to reinforce what you’ve learned


• Leads you through the practicalities of designing your own project

Exceptionally clear, and perfect for undergraduates starting a project, this is the essential guide to spoken discourse.