discourse of desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discourse of desire" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing themes of longing, attraction, or the expression of desires in various forms of communication or literature. Example: "The novel explores the complex discourse of desire between the main characters, revealing their hidden motivations and emotional struggles."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Back in 1988, Michelle Fine, a professor of social psychology at the City University of New York, wrote an article in The Harvard Educational Review called "Sexuality, Schooling and Adolescent Females: The Missing Discourse of Desire".

The New York Times - Magazine

In this influential article, Fine offers an analysis of the public discourses of sexuality that characterise debates about sex education in the USA, summarised as sex as violence, sex as victimisation, sex as individual morality and the discourse of desire.

Culture, Health and Sexuality

Twenty-five yeago ago, Michelle Fine (1988) used an ethnographic study of young people in New York High Schools to argue that there was a 'missing discourse of desire' in the US public education system.

Culture, Health and Sexuality

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

This paper draws on research that sought to critically engage with these debates and consider what it might mean in practice for a researcher or a practitioner to create spaces within which to explore discourses of desire (Fine 1988) or erotics (Allen 2004) with young people.

Culture, Health and Sexuality

More recently, however, writers have documented the absence of queer desires from sex education programmes (Harrison, Hillier, and Walsh 1996; Rasmussen 2004; Allen 2007) and the absence of discourses of masculine desire that imagines male pleasure in diverse, holistic and equitable ways (Allen 2004, 2005, 2007; Beasley 2008).

Culture, Health and Sexuality

The subjective turn in Barthes's thought and writing had come into view slightly earlier, with the publication of a ludic "autobiography", Roland Barthes by Roland Barthes, in 1975, and his anxious anatomy of desire, A Lover's Discourse, in 1977.

The Guardian - Books

Allen argues that this discourse of awakening male (hetero)sexual desire, insinuated in information about wet dreams and erections, has regulatory, prescriptive effects for young men.

Culture, Health and Sexuality

A frenzy of desire?

The New Yorker

Not of desire.

The New Yorker

While continental philosophers often act as custodians of a Master's discourse (as experts of an oeuvre), the oblique perspective entails a different role, analysing the dialectical interaction between tormented researchers and their objects of desire (a).

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

Although the 'discourse of desire' seldom appeared in US school classrooms, Fine found that it frequently emerged in her conversations with her young female participants – 'drop outs' from a public high school.

Culture, Health and Sexuality

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "discourse of desire" when you want to emphasize a formal or academic discussion about longing, sexuality, or motivation. It is particularly effective in sociological or psychological contexts.

Common error

While "discourse of desire" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or pretentious in everyday conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "talking about desire" or "expressing longing" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discourse of desire" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it denotes a system of communication or representation concerning longing, attraction, or motivation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "discourse of desire" is a grammatically correct and usable term that refers to the ways in which longing, attraction, and motivation are expressed and discussed. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is most commonly found in academic and media contexts, particularly in sociological or psychological analyses. While it's appropriate for formal writing and scholarly discussions, simpler alternatives may be preferable in informal settings. Remember to consider the context and audience when choosing to use this phrase. Top sources include Culture, Health and Sexuality, The New York Times, and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

narrative of longing

Focuses on the storytelling aspect related to a deep yearning.

dialogue of yearning

Emphasizes the conversational exchange about a strong wish or need.

expression of longing

Highlights the act of conveying feelings of intense desire.

exploration of attraction

Shifts the focus to examining feelings of being drawn to something or someone.

articulation of passion

Emphasizes the clear and effective expression of strong emotions.

language of yearning

Highlights the specific vocabulary and style used to communicate deep longing.

rhetoric of attraction

Focuses on the persuasive and stylistic elements used to express attraction.

communication of longing

Emphasizes the act of conveying feelings of intense desire to another person.

discussion of motivations

Shifts the focus to an intellectual examination of the underlying reasons for desires.

analysis of motivations

Emphasizes a detailed and systematic examination of the reasons behind desires.

FAQs

How can I use "discourse of desire" in a sentence?

You can use "discourse of desire" to refer to the way longing and attraction are discussed, represented, or analyzed in a particular context. For example, "The novel explores the complex "discourse of desire" between the main characters."

What is the meaning of "discourse of desire"?

"Discourse of desire" refers to the ways in which longing, attraction, and motivation are expressed, discussed, and understood within a particular social, cultural, or literary context. It often involves analyzing the language and representations used to convey these feelings.

What are some synonyms for "discourse of desire"?

Alternatives to "discourse of desire" include "narrative of longing", "dialogue of yearning", or "expression of longing" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "discourse of desire" a formal or informal term?

"Discourse of desire" is generally considered a formal term, often used in academic or theoretical contexts. In more casual settings, you might prefer simpler phrases to discuss topics related to desire.