Critical Reading and Writing in the Digital Age

Andrew Goatly has taught English Language and Linguistics in colleges and universities in the UK, Rwanda, Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong, and is currently an Honorary Professor at Lingnan University, Hong Kong. He is the author of The Language of Metaphors (Routledge 1997).Preet Hiradhar is Assistant Professor in the Department of English at Lingnan University, Hong Kong.

"This accessible introduction to critical reading and writing takes the reader on a fascinating journey from the intricate details of language to the overarching social and ecological issues of our time. Through lucid explanations of linguistic theory and compelling examples it helps students develop critical reading skills to understand how language shapes the society they live in, and critical writing skills to contribute to transformation of that society. A highly stimulating and thought-provoking textbook which will give students the skills in linguistic analysis they need, and will energise and engage them to put those skills into practice." Arran Stibbe, University of Gloucestershire, UK Praise for the previous edition:"Provides clear, introductory-level explanations and practical exercises that can help develop critical awareness of the relationship between composing/reading and intertextuality in the construction of textual world. The lively tone of the text and the effectiveness of the explanations make it highly accessible to students." - Eileen Smith, Shasta College, USA for Linguistlist"Provides lucid, clearly illustrated, concise explanations and well thought out exercises that will give students the competence, confidence and motivation to engage critically with texts. An invaluable coursebook." - Chris Christie, Loughborough University, UK"For the first time we have a teaching tool for a truly international, cross-cultural English Studies, that will work across a wide range of university faculties and class work ... a much needed synthesis of the what and why of critical language study and the how-to of critical writing instruction. We have waited long enough for a book like this. I'm very glad it's finally here." - David Stacey, Humboldt State University, USA"This is a comprehensive and eminently comprehensible introduction to the basic terms, tools and techniques of discourse analysis. At the same time, unusually, it offers systematic yet sensitive guidance in practices of critical writing as well as reading." - Rob Pope, Oxford Brookes University, UK"Critical Reading and Writing offers pathways into the literature and includes many integrated proposals for student assignments and for the training of particular writing skills." - Pol Cuvelier, Pragmatics

• IntroductionSection A: Critical Linguistics--reading meanings off the textUnit 1. Genre and the organisation of textUnit 2 Text and conceptual meaningUnit 3 text and interpersonal meaningSection B: Critical Discourse: reading meanings into the textUnit 4 Interpreting discourseUnit 5 Reading and writing positionsUnit 6 IntertextualitySection C: The authority and power behind discourse and resisting itUnit 7 Ads, consumer capitalism and the crisis of inequalityUnit 8 News, institutional power and the crisis of democracyUnit 9 Environmental discourse, poetry and the ecological crisisUnit 10 The power of fiction and comedy