The terms discourse and discourse analysis have been variously used by scholars. The aim of this book is to introduce readers to some basic but influential work which explores issues concerning the study of language in context. These include principles governing the production and interpretation of both spoken and written language and contextual features, such as participants and setting. Sentence internal organisation and issues of cohesion and coherence are investigated as is the organisation of conversation. All these are explored through examples from a variety of spoken and written sources.