Genre and Discourse Analysis: A Course Review and its Impact on Academic Writing

This specialized course has proven to be incredibly valuable, providing me with a thorough understanding of the concepts and methods of genre and discourse analysis. Throughout the course, we delved into the three main schools of thought in genre analysis and the constraining effect that genre has on discourse organization patterns. Additionally, we learned techniques for conducting genre analysis, including texturalization of vocabulary and grammar, discourse organization, and contextual analysis. These methods have allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of academic writing, moving beyond a focus on individual words and towards the organization of discourse to create coherence and logical structure. The course also emphasized the coherence between topics and the regularity of topic development in discourse, further highlighting the importance of discourse organization in conveying ideas. Overall, this course has been immensely beneficial, aiding both my learning and writing endeavors.