James Paul Gee presents here his unique integrated approach to discourse analysis: the analysis of spoken and written language as it is used to enact social and cultural perspectives and identities.Assuming no prior knowledge of linguistics, James Paul Gee presents both a theory of language-in-use, as well as a method of research. This method is made up of a set of 'tools of enquiry' and strategies for using them.Clearly structured and written in a highly accessible style, the book presents these tools of enquiry alongside the theory of language-in-use. They are then placed in the framework of an overall approach to discourse analysis. Finally an extended example of discourse analysis is presented using some of the tools and strategies developed earlier in the book.Perspectives from a variety of approaches and disciplines - including applied linguistics, education, psychology, anthropology and communication - are incorporated to help students and scholars from a range of backgrounds formulate their own views on discourse and engage in their own discourse analyses.