What is discourse analysis?

I've been struggling with discourse analysis, and the difference between textual/content/critical discourse analysis. My interpretation of texts seems to be too simplistic, so I've started trailing through books and journals to try and get a clearer understanding of what it's all about.

Firstly, Wikipedia says that in discourse analysis the word "discourse" is often used as shorthand for "discursive formation" meaning large heterogeneous discursive entities. In social sciences, discourse is considered to be an institutionalized way of thinking that can be manifested through language, a social boundary defining what can be said about a particular topic, as Judith Butler puts it, "the limits of acceptable speech".

A few journals I came across talk about Fairclough's methods of discourse analysis. He formed the branch known now as critical discourse analysis, which has a 3-tier framework: analysis of texts, interactions and social practices at the local, institutional and societal levels. Furthermore, each discursive event (discourse): it is a spoken/written text; it is an instance of discourse practice; and it is part of social practice.

- The analysis of the text involves the study of language structures (which I take to mean grammar, vocabulary, sentance structure etc.) produced in a discursive event (which I take to mean a discourse)
- Analysis of the discursive event involves examining the production, consumption and reproduction of texts
-The analysis of socio-cultural practice (what's being done/said) involves an exploration of what is happening in a particular socio-cultural framework (what's going on at the time).

Critical Discourse Analysis, according to Fairclough, attributes 3 dimensions to every discourse: text, discursive practice, and social practice. (Titscher et al. 2000: p.149-150)

I have this information, but I still don't know how to put to use when doing my analysis of the China blogs.........

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