TEACHING MATERIALS FOR CRITICAL DISCOURSE ANALYSIS AND SYSTEMATIC FUNCTIONAL LINGUISTICS

Abstract

"Teaching Materials for Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL)" is a comprehensive academic resource tailored for the field of English Language Education. Authored by Dr. Rama Dwika Herdiawan and Dina Windiarti, this book addresses a critical need in contemporary linguistic research: the integration of socially critical perspectives with rigorous grammatical analysis. The text serves as both a theoretical bridge and a practical guide, aiming to equip students, lecturers, and researchers with the tools necessary to uncover the subtle ways language constructs power, ideology, and social inequality. The central thesis of the book is that while Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) provides the essential "critical" lens for identifying social injustices and power abuse, it often requires a more systematic analytical framework to ground its claims in empirical textual evidence. To resolve this, the authors introduce Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) as the ideal methodological partner. The book posits that SFL’s view of language as a social semiotic system allows researchers to deconstruct exactly how meanings are made, thereby validating the interpretive claims of CDA. Structured to guide learners from concept to application, the book offers a deep dive into SFL’s three core metafunctions Ideational, Interpersonal, and Textual and demonstrates their direct relevance to critical analysis. It provides in-depth coverage of key analytical systems, including Transitivity for analyzing how agency and processes are represented, the Appraisal system for evaluating attitude and emotion, and the Theme/Rheme structure for understanding message organization. By mastering these tools, readers can move beyond surface-level reading to a sophisticated deconstruction of authentic texts. Ultimately, this textbook transcends mere theoretical exposition to serve as a vital pedagogical tool. It is designed to foster critical literacy within academic and professional settings, empowering the next generation of educators and linguists to critically interrogate the discourses that shape their world. It is an essential volume for courses in Discourse Analysis, Pragmatics, and Research Methodology.