Discourse analysis is the study of language use in context. It examines both spoken and written language. American discourse analysis has focused on close observation of natural conversations, emphasizing turn-taking and interaction norms. British discourse analysis is influenced by M.A.K. Halliday's functional approach and examines the social functions of language and informational structure. Discourse analysis considers both the micro-level structure of individual interactions as well as larger patterns found across texts. It analyzes both what language is doing and how listeners/readers are meant to interpret it according to conventions of different types of discourse.