Unpacking What People are Doing with
D/discourse with Gee’s Framework
Language and its accoutrements are not just about conveying information. We use it every day to build the seven aspects of reality.
Even if it’s not intentionally or rationally thought out, we have habits by which we use discourse to manage our lives, to show interest,
to comply with others, too ingratiate ourselves into social situations, etc. Each object of investigation will use discourse and may use
images. Table 1 shows Gee’s Tools of Inquiry. You can use these to analyze discourse and situations. To try to understand what the
authors are doing with their discourse and what they think we will do with it, think about Gee’s Building Tasks in Table 2 below.
Table 1: Tools for Analyzing D/discourse
Tools of Analysis
“Social languages”
“Discourses”
“Intertextuality”
“Conversations”
Explanation
Example in Gee
Use of a language (e.g. vernacular, technical language, jargon)
depending on the setting, our role, relationship with relevant others,
authority, membership, etc. Used to enact an identity in a certain
setting. We use social languages to show our membership in groups,
to show our relationship with someone, to show the role we assume
in a situation.
To combine “walking the walk” with “talking the talk.” Combining
language, actions, beliefs, values, symbols, tools, etc to enact an
identity.
The way Jane talked to her boyfriend vs.
the way she talked to her parents (pp. 3839).
Cross-references in language to other texts or types of texts whether
quoting directly, indirectly, or simply alluding.
Common themes, public debates, motifs we use in conversation that
are widely known in society (e.g. terrorism, global warming) and
where people know about the various sides. All the discussion that
goes on in society concerning such a theme. We interpret each
other’s language through what we know about these Conversations.
INF385N Fall 2008 Barker
A gang member who not only is expected
to talk a certain way, but use certain
symbols, hold certain beliefs, use certain
actions (p. 21)
The title of a Wired magazine article (a
technology magazine) referencing “tough
guy” talk found in movies/books (p. 21)
We understand the meaning of “smoking
is associated with health problems”
because of what we know about the
Conversation about smoking (p.21-22)
Page 1 of 3
Table 2: Gee's Building Tasks of Language
WE USE
LANGUAGE TO
BUILD THESE
QUESTIONS TO IDENTIFY BUILDING
TASKS IN A SITUATION

EXPLANATION
SIGNIFICANCE
We use language to make things significant.
We give things, people, ideas meaning or
value. How and what different things mean in
the present situation.
What is the situation? How is this
piece of language being used to
make certain things significant or
not and in what ways?
What are the situated meanings of
some of the words and phrases that
seem important in the situation?
ACTIVITIES
Our use of language informs others of what
we see ourselves as doing. What is being said
helps others recognize what is going on.
What activity or activities is being
enacted with this piece of language?
What is the larger or main activity
(or set of activities) going on in the
situation?
Use of language to indicate a role we have
taken on, or switching to enact a new identity
What identity or identities is this
piece of language being used to
enact (i.e., get others to recognize
as operative)?
What identities (roles, positions)
seem to be relevant to, taken for
granted in, or under construction in
the situation?
Use of language signals the type of
relationship we have or want to have with
those with whom we are communicating.
What sort of relationship or
relationships is this piece of
language seeking to enact with
others (present or not)?
What sorts of social relationships
seem to be relevant to, taken for
granted, or under construction in
the situation?
How we use our language effects the
distribution of social goods (i.e. adding to or
taking away from reputation, authority, status,
power, etc.) We convey our perspective on
motives, responsibility, right and wrong, etc.
What perspective on social goods is
this piece of language
communicating (i.e., what is being
communicated as to what is taken
to be “normal,” “right,” “good,”
“correct,” “proper,” “appropriate,”
and so forth)?
What social goods (e.g. status,
power, aspects of gender, race, and
class) are relevant (and irrelevant) in
this situation? How are they made
relevant or irrelevant?
IDENTITIES
RELATIONSHIPS
POLITICS
(SOCIAL GOODS
OR SOCIAL
CAPITAL)
INF385N Fall 2008 Barker
DISCOURSE ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Page 2 of 3
WE USE
LANGUAGE TO
BUILD THESE
QUESTIONS TO IDENTIFY BUILDING
TASKS IN A SITUATION

EXPLANATION
How does this piece of language
connect or disconnect things; how
does it make one thing relevant or
irrelevant to another?
What sorts of connections are made
within and across the interaction?
CONNECTIONS
To note the relevance or irrelevance between
two things; even to disconnect those which
are inherently relevant, or vice versa. To
connect actions, meanings, or words to convey
your message.
SIGN SYSTEMS &
Different languages (Spanish, Mandarin),
different jargon (language of lawyers, artists,
sportscasters), and nonverbal communication
(charts, facial expressions, images) are sign
systems. We use language to privilege one set
of knowledge (e.g., doctor vs. patient) over
another – and we thereby accord greater
authority to one person than another. We use
sign systems to mark ourselves as members of
a group (or not).
How does this piece of language
privilege or disprivilege specific sign
systems (e.g., Spanish vs. English,
technical language vs. everyday
language, words vs. images, words
vs. equations) or different ways of
knowing and believing or claims to
knowledge and belief?
What sign systems are relevant (or
irrelevant) in the situation (e.g.,
speech, writing, images, and
gestures)? How are they made
relevant or irrelevant?
KNOWLEDGE
INF385N Fall 2008 Barker
DISCOURSE ANALYSIS QUESTIONS
Page 3 of 3