This paper presents the results of research carried out on the concept of the "discursive formula", as defined by Krieg-Planque (2010). At issue is the phrase "continuous progression" - learning cycles implemented in 1998 in the state of São Paulo. The theoretical assumptions of French Discourse Analysis were selected to support this analysis, based on the four properties which affect the characterization of the discursive formula (KRIEG-PLANQUE, 2010): the crystallization of the signifier, discursive character, functioning as social reference, and controversial aspect(s). In addition, the contribution of the theoretical and methodological framework of Corpus Linguistics (BERBER SARDINHA, 2004) was used to investigate the corpus, which contains 432,146 words. The data, from various discursive genres, refer to the period between 1997 and 2011. Through these, it could be concluded that "continuous progression" can be considered a formula, since the traits that define it signal its discursive constitution.
discursive formula; French discourse analysis; corpus linguistics
