This paper presents an analytical review of the most influential concepts and approaches in the study of discourse as a multidimensional cognitive, interactional and linguistic phenomenon in relation to the practices of social interaction. Thereby those aspects of the discourse theories are highlighted which have passed the test of time and are proved to be in demand in the descriptive-oriented analysis of discursive formations in German linguistics. The characteristic of these approaches focuses on the succession of the scientific traditions in the discourse analysis and on the theoretical innovations introduced in the interpretation of the relationship of the basic discourse dimensions correlated with the collective consciousness (the knowledge), social communication (the communicative practices) and language (the text thematic and functional formations).