The document is an excerpt from a Cambridge Delta Module on discourse. It defines discourse as any connected piece of speaking or writing and explains that discourse analysis looks at patterns of language beyond individual words or sentences. It then provides examples of emails between Neil McMahon, the Director of Studies at IH Buenos Aires, and Professor Michael Hoey regarding Neil's request for a copy of one of Professor Hoey's presentations on lexical priming theory to use in teacher training. Professor Hoey apologizes for the delay in responding, having returned from travel to find over 650 emails. He agrees to send the presentation materials to Neil.

1. Discourse www.ih-buenosaires.com

2. Cambridge Delta Modules – Module OneDiscourse What, in your opinion, distinguishes good writing from bad writing? Give examples if possible. www.ih-buenosaires.com

3. Cambridge Delta Modules – Module OneDiscourse Learners often have difficulty participating in natural, authentic conversations. Why might this be? www.ih-buenosaires.com

4. Cambridge Delta Modules – Module OneDiscourse “In any text, there resides a whole syllabus waiting to be uncovered.” To what extent do you agree with this statement? www.ih-buenosaires.com

5. Cambridge Delta Modules – Module OneDiscourse 1 What is ‘discourse’? Discourse is any connected piece of speaking or writing. It follows that discourse analysis is the study of how the separate ‘bits’ of language which make up the discourse are connected in such a way that the discourse makes sense. And if it doesn’t make sense, of course, discourse analysis enables us to find out why. To a large extent, discourse analysis involves looking for patterns of language which are not obvious from looking at individual sentences in isolation, but rather reveal themselves only when the discourse as a whole is examined. Linguists attempting to untangle the workings of discourse therefore have to look beyond individual words or sentences, just as they do when engaged in other ‘text-based’ linguistic study, such as conversation analysis or genre analysis. www.ih-buenosaires.com

6. Cambridge Delta Modules – Module OneDiscourse 4. Dear Professor Hoey, I spoke to you briefly at the International House Directors of Studies Conference in London in January following your talk on lexical priming, during which you suggested that if anyone wished to have a copy of your presentation they should contact you by e-mail. Does this offer still stand? If so, I would be very grateful if you could send me a copy, as I am intending to put together an in-house teacher training session for my teachers here in Buenos Aires in order to introduce them to your lexical priming theory. Best regards, and thanks once again for a fascinating talk, Neil McMahon Director of Studies, IH Buenos Aires www.ih-buenosaires.com

7. Cambridge Delta Modules – Module OneDiscourse 3. Dear Neil I'm sorry to have taken so long to get back to you. I went away to Malaysia a month ago and came back to 650 messages (non-Spam). I've still got 556! It feels like the pile will never shrink. Anyway, enough of excuses. I'm happy to attach my presentation. All the best MIchael www.ih-buenosaires.com

8. Cambridge Delta Modules – Module OneDiscourse 1. Dear Michael, Many thanks! I appreciate you finding time to get back to me ahead of the other 556! Best regards, Neil www.ih-buenosaires.com

9. Cambridge Delta Modules – Module OneDiscourse 2. Thank you! M www.ih-buenosaires.com

10. Cambridge Delta Modules – Module OneDiscourse www.ih-buenosaires.com