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English Advanced

Techniques

Page 1 of 32

English Advanced

Visual Techniques Body language and gaze Camera Angle

Facial expressions, gestures, stance or position - can convey the attitude, feelings or personality of the individual shown. Take note of the direction of the subject’s eyes. The angle at which the camera is pointed at the subject. It is the perspective from which the camera shoots from which the viewer sees the image. Vertical angle can be low, level or high Horizontal angle can be side on or frontal

Composition

What is included is deliberately placed ( also applies to what is omitted). Consider all inclusions and omissions eg. surroundings, objects, clothing, etc.

Colour, Hue, Tone

In black & white images examine the use of contrast, light and darkness. In a colour image, colours are used to signify feelings and evoke a response. eg. red = passion, hell, vitality, etc. blue = peace, harmony, coldness.

Contrast

The arrangement of opposite elements (light and dark, large and small, rough and smooth) to create interest, excitement or drama.

Design

The way particular elements are selected, organised and used in teh process of text construction for particular purposes

Framing (and Angle)

The same camera shots and angles relevant to film. Close ups, extreme close ups, medium shots. long shots, tilted up or down shots, etc

Gaze

Where a character looks, which then directs viewer’s eyes. A ‘demand’ gaze involves direct eye contact between a character and the viewer, an ‘offer’ has the character look at something within the image, drawing the viewers eyes there too. Can be used to express emotion/intent

Omissions

What has been deliberately left out

Orientation, Point of view

Relates to framing and angle: is the responder positioned above the image (looking down), below, or at eye level?

Positioning

Consider which objects have been placed in the foreground, middle ground or background.

Rule of Thirds

Divide an image into thirds from the top and sides and look at the placement of people and/or objects. An object in the top third is usually empowered whereas anything in the bottom third is disempowered.

Sailience

The part that your eyes are first drawn to in the visual. Colour, image and layout determine what the salient image is.

Symbolism

The use of an image to represent one or more (often complex) ideas.

Vectors

The line that our eyes take when looking at a visual. composers deliberately direct our reading path through vectors. eg. If all the subjects are tall, long and upright our eyes follow straight vectors that lead to the top of the frame. This could make the subject seem powerful or inflexible

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English Advanced

Language Techniques Allegory

Story with a double meaning: one primary and one secondary

Alliteration

Repetition of consonants at the start of words or in a sentence or phrase

Allusion

A subtle or indirect reference to another thing, text, historical period, or religious belief

Anthropomorphism

Act of lending a human quality, emotion, ambition or behaviour to animals, non-human object or being

Characterisation

Process wherein an author describes a character, which can be described directly by the author or indirectly through he actions, thoughts and speech of the character

Cliché

An over-used, common expression.

Consonance

Repetition of consonants throughout a sentence or phrase.

Contrast

Paradox, antithesis, oxymoron, juxtaposition, contrast in description.

Didactic

Any text that instructs the reader or is obviously delivering a moral message.

Disjunction

A conjunction (eg. but or yet) that dramatically interrupts the rhythm of a sentence.

Dramatic Irony

Increase suspense or comedic effect by letting the audience know something important

Ellipsis

A dramatic pause (…) creates tension or suggests words can’t be spoken.

Emotive language

Words that stir the readers’ emotions.

Enjambment

A poetic technique, when a sentence or phrase runs over more than one line (or stanza). This assists the flow of a poem.

Euphemism

Mild expression used to replace a harsh one.

Exclamation

Exclamatory sentence ending in “!” to convey high emotion.

Form

Purpose and features of a text influence its construction and will suggest its structure.

Figurative language and sound devices

Metaphor, metonymy, hyperbole, smile, personification, assonance, alliteration, consonance, onomatopoeia etc. These devices have a powerful impact as they work on our senses to strengthen the subject matter of the text.

Fractured/truncated sentences

Incomplete sentences used to increase tension or urgency, or reflect the way people speak to each other.

Gaps and silences

What is not said. Whose voice isn’t heard and whose voice dominates?

Humour

Incongruity, parody, satire, exaggeration, irony, puns, etc. used to lighten the overall tone.

Icons

A single person, object or image that represents complex ideas and feelings.

Imagery

Vivid pictures created by words. Reader visualises the character and setting clearly.

Imperative voice

Forceful use of the verb at the start of a sentence or phrase.

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English Advanced Intertextuality

A text makes a reference to other texts. May be explicit, implied or inferred.

Irony

Gap between what is said and what is meant.

Juxtaposition

Layering images and scenes to have a dramatic impact.

Language Features

Features of language that support meaning eg. sentence structure, vocabulary, illustrations, diagrams, graphics, punctuation, figurative language.

Level of usage of language

Slang, colloquial, informal or formal.

Linear

Sequential, in chronological order.

Metaphor

Comparison of two objects where one becomes another. Adds further layers of meaning about object being compared.

Modality

The force of the words are delivered at. High modality = will, always, must, never. Low modality = might, may, could, probably, perhaps.

Motif

A recurring symbol which takes on figurative meaning

Narrative Voice

Narrative is the telling of events. 3rd person — novels or stories; the writer presents info about characters by describing them and what they do. 2nd person — use of ‘you’ 1st person — use of ‘I’

Non-linear

Non-sequential narrative. Events do not occur in chronological order.

Onomatopoeia

A word that echoes the sound it represents. Readers hears what is happening.

Parody

Conscious imitation for satiric purpose

Person

First, second or third person.

Personification

Human characteristic given to a non-human object. Inatimate objects takes on a life.

Perspective

A particular way of looking at individuals, issues, events, texts, facts, etc.

Plosive consoants

Harsh sounds in a sentence or phrase.

Repetition

How a composer coveys meaning through textual features.

Satire

Composition which ridicules in a scornful and humorous way.

Setting

Location of a story - internal and external.

Sibilance

Repetition of ’s’ - can sound melodious an sweet or cold and icy.

Simile

Comparison of two objects using ‘like’ or ‘as’.

Symbolism

Where an object represents one or more (often complex) ideas.

Syntax

Short, simple sentences or truncates sentences create tension, haste or urgency. Com or complex sentences are slower, often featured in formal texts

Tense

Past, present, future.

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English Advanced Theme

Message or moral of a story - makes us ponder bigger issues in life.

Tone

The voice adopted by a particular speaker to indicate emotion feeling or attitude to subject matter. The author's attitude towards the subject and audience

Word choice or diction

Emotive, forceful, factual, descriptive, blunt, graphic, disturbing, informative, etc. For example, use of forceful verbs ‘insist’ and ‘demand’ can be very persuasive

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English Advanced

COMMON MODULE : TEXT AND HUMAN EXPERIENCE

The Crucible

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English Advanced

Rubric Language • •

•

How texts represent individual and collective human experiences How texts represent human qualities and emotions associated with, or arising form, these experiences • (Ambition, Arrogance, Faithfulness, Modesty, Determination, Idealism, Imagination, Realism, Cynicism, Optimism)

How texts may give insight into the anomalies, paradoxes, and inconsistencies in human behaviour and motivations Anomaly: something that deviates from what is standard, normal or expected Paradox: An absurd/contradictory statement which may be well founded true, or a statement which despite sound reasons from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems logically unacceptable or self-contradictory • Inconsistent: Not staying the same throughout, or, Not compatible or in keeping with Consider the role of storytelling throughout time to express and reflect particular lives and cultures Responder to see world differently, challenge assumptions, ignite new ideas or reflect personally Make informed judgements about how context, purpose, structure, stylistic and grammatical features, and form shape meaning Challenge assumptions See the world differently Personal and/or collective qualities and failings Human resilience and determination relate and applaud depictions of inner strength, personal integrity or determination Empathise hopes, fears and suffering Creative and destructive forces — both individual and social • •

• • • • • • • • • •

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English Advanced

Summary of Points Impacts on Society • “There is great contention, sir, about the cows” • Cows are employed as a symbol of the economy of Salem, great contention about the functioning of the economy when half the town is in jail “There are orphans wandering from house to house … no man knows when the harlots cry will end his life” •

Impacts on Individual JOHN PROCTOR

• “[The systems extreme control was] one of the things John Proctor would rebel against” • Characterises him as a martyr figure that will have conflict with the system • “Whatever you will do, it is as good as a man does it” • Elizabeth’s statement elucidates how corrupt systems can force good people into morally compromising situations • “Proctor tears the paper and crumples it, and he is weeping in fury but erect” • Symbolically chooses death over conforming to corrupt system and condemning innocent people, erectness symbolises his integrity being saved

Systematic Abuse DANFORTH

• “I cannot pardon these when twelve are already hanged for the same crime. It is not just” • Distortion of justice, Miller uses irony to make it clear that justice doesn’t exist anymore • “Postponement now speaks a floundering on my part” • Motivation to maintain his political power • “I cannot withhold from them the perfection of their punishment” • Distortion of the system resulting in social ramifications such as death and the contention about the cows

ABIGAIL

• Elizabeth Proctor, who “keeps an upright way” and “does only good work in the world”, is tried and convicted of witchcraft because of the accusation of Abigail Williams, an adulterer, seeking “a whore’s vengeance” • highlights how systematic abuse of power can sever consequences for innocent individuals

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English Advanced

Individuals Abigail USING THE SYSTEM FOR SELFISH MOTIVATIONS Abigail is characterised as “a strikingly beautiful girl… with an endless capacity for dissembling.”

• Characterises her as manipulative • Increase of suspicion of her in audience

“I’ll beat you, Betty” and “my, you seem improving. I talked to your papa and I told him everything.”

• Abigail vacillates between threatening and cajoling • Demonstrative of her manipulative ways

“Regarded (children) as young adults .. [and] never • Biblical reference expounds how empowered Abigail has conceived that the children were anything but thankful for been by her manipulation of the system being permitted to” speak at all • Ironic, however because she is not a charitable or “good” figure and is abusing the system for selfish motivations Elizabeth Proctor, who “keeps an upright way” and “does • Abigail’s abuse of the system in an attempt to murder Elizabeth demonstrates the capacity of political systems to only good work in the world”, is tried and convicted of be bent for bad witchcraft because of the accusation of Abigail Williams, an adulterer, seeking “a whore’s vengeance”

Proctor MORAL CONFLICT ABOUT CONFORMING TO THE SYSTEM “It was also … one of the things John Proctor would rebel against”

• Proctor is explicitly made a symbol for standing up against the entrenched culture of surveillance and oppression of individuality

“This warrant’s vengeance! I’ll not give my • Proctor rip up the warrant for Elizabeth wife to vengeance!” • Symbolises a contempt for the court and its corruption • Strong emotional display that he does not want to conform with the system “We are only what we always were, but naked now”

• Whilst Proctor does not want to conform, he accepts that he must expose his own sin, sacrificing himself for his wife and Salem

“Whatever you will do, it is a good man who does it”

• Oppressive political systems can force good people to make morally compromising decisions

“He moves as an animal, and a fury is riding in him, a tantalised search”

• Moral conflict between integrity and life • Does not want to retain his pretence of innocence as he does not think he is worthy of dying as a saint • Proctor becomes tragic hero • Thus the audience blames the system

“Proctor tears the paper and crumples it, and now he is weeping in fury but erect”!

• Proctor tears up his confession that would save his life • Symbolically chooses death over submitting to the corrupt system and condemning Rebecca + the others hanged Heroic redemption because he has chosen integrity •

! “Now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor

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English Advanced

Hale ARDENT BELIEF CORRUPTED BY ITS ABUSE “(He) shall not proceed unless (Salem is) prepared to believe (him) if (he) should find no bruise of hell upon her”

• Hale’s political motivation were originally to perform God’s duties with honesty • He has nothing to gain in terms of reputation or vengeance

“The systematic campaign against Rebecca” who “the general • The witch trials will have ramifications for the pinnacle opinion of … was so high” of morality in Salem • Demonstrates the far-reaching effects of such a government system (which Hale inadvertently facilitates) Hale enters, he “is steeped in sorrow, exhausted, and more direct than he ever was”

• Previously “being called … to ascertain witchcraft” was “a beloved errant for him” • His passion has been diminished by the tyrannous abuse of his knowledge

“There is blood on my head! Can you not see the blood on my head!!”

• Metaphor elucidates guilt • Attempts to right his wrong by encouraging Christians to “believe themselves” by confessing to witchcraft for their life

“Where I turned the eye of my great faith, blood flowed up”

• Recognises his principles contributed to the murderous trials

Concepts Moral Conflict of Sacrificing Life for Integrity “We are only what we always were, but naked now”

• Whilst Proctor does not want to conform, he accepts that he must expose his own sin, sacrificing himself for his wife and Salem • Could conform and hide sin, but chooses not to

“He moves as an animal, and a fury is riding in him, a tantalised search,”

• Animal imagery • Moral conflict between integrity and life • Does not want to retain his pretence of innocence as he does not think he is worthy of dying a saint • Proctor becomes tragic hero and thus the audience blames the system

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English Advanced “[Proctor tears the paper and crumples it, and he is weeping in fury, but erect]” “Now I do think I see some shred of goodness in John Proctor”

• Proctor tears up his confession that would save his life • Symbolically chooses death over submitting to the corrupt system and condemning Rebecca + the others hanged • Heroic redemption because he has chosen integrity

• Proctor recognises that by confessing to witchcraft in order to save his life, his lie will be condemning those who were already hanged “Because I lie and sign myself to lies! Because I am not worth • He does not want to compromise his integrity by the dust on the feet of them that hang! How may I live condemning others who did the right thing and “hang without my name” for silence” • Moral conflict escalated by wanting to do the right thing but wanting to live “I blacken all of them when this is nailed to the church the very day they hand for silence”

“Great stones they lay upon his chest until he read aye or nay” but “(Giles Corey) stand mute, and died Christian under the law. And so his sons will have his farm

• System takes everything from you, and there is no possibility for fighting back and winning; only choice is life or land

Corrupt System Against Individuality and Freedom of Thought “In unity still lay the best promise of safety.”

• Belief that contextualises the rich trials • Pervaded all actions of the court system and resulted in the dichotomising of those who did not completely align with ideals

“The witch hunt was a perverse manifestation of the panic which set in among all classes when the balance began to turn toward greater individual freedom.”

• Witch trials were an oppression of individuality • Criticising how such an oppression of freedom of thought and freedom of conscience can result in ramifications such as death and the obstruction of justice

“A person is either with this court or he must be counted against it, there be no road between.”

• Danforth makes the dichotomous nature of the court system literal • You are either a witch or against witches; with God or with the Devil; with the courts or against the • If you do not conform to the court and act as an individual, you will be accused

“Your soul alone is the issue here, Mister, and you will prove its whiteness or you cannot live in a Christian country.”

• Dichotomy e...