Guide to Writing an A+ Language Analysis PDF

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his document is the perfect guide to inform you on how to write an A+ Langauge Analysis SAC and in the end of year exam! This guide contains a template for your introduction and body paragraphs, as well as how to analyse images, a range of tone words and persuasive techniques! ...

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LANGUAGE ANALYSIS INTRODUCTION TEMPLATE: The issue of __________ has gained contentious debate, eliciting responses from ____,_____ and______. In a somewhat ______ TONE, AUTHOR'S (article, opinion piece e.t.c) published in _____ on the (DATE) encourages and supports. AUTHOR contents that_________. In response to this piece, _______ uses a _____TONE to condemn/agree__________. AUTHOR contends that ____________. Accompanying both pieces is a (CARTOON, IMAGE E.T.C) who seeks to elicit (an emotional response from readers). Particularly, AUTHOR OF IMAGE seeks to show support of…… STEPS FOR ANALYSING A TEXT 1) Read the text CAREFULLY 2) Think about what the overall message is ○ Don’t overthink it - listen to your gut instinct 3) Articulate the POINT OF VIEW being presented 4) Find the ARGUMENT being used to support the POV 5) Establish the PERSUASIVE DEVICES used to present the arguments ○ Remember to include an analysis of VISUAL CLUES as they too are persuasive devices 6) Evaluate the OVERALL QUALITY of the arguments presented ○ NEVER, EVER, EVER give your opinion on the issue :) FIND WORDS IN THE TEXT THAT MARRY THE ARGUMENT HOW TO STRUCTURE A LANGUAGE ANALYSIS ESSAY INTRODUCTION; ● If a visual is embedded in a paragraph and is not an individual piece, you don’t have to mention it in your introduction. ● Context; why is this issue being reported (1-2 sentences MAX) ● Contention (POV being presented and reasons - arguments) ● Genre of piece, title, author, date of publication and source ● If a stand alone image, mention in introduction. If accompanying, don’t need to mention. ● TONE if one piece BODY PARAGRAPHS; #1 ● Tone used ● Argument / POV presented ● Techniques used → evidence; quotes ● Effect on the reader - how is the audience led to think/feel about the issue? ● Lead us to think what about the issue #2 Shift in tone POV presented Technique used Support which argument ● HOW DOES THE TECHNIQUE EFFECT THE READER

#3 Similarly, Cooke adopts a sympathetic tone to present…. CONCLUSION ; weak, questionable flawed, unjustifiable, unreasonable, inappropriate, counteractive, undermine/undermining - Never give opinion, just evaluate quality of arguments - Talk about target audience; GENERAL AUDIENCE AND MORE SPECIFIC AUDIENCE = MORE SOPHISTICATED ‘the general audience will be…...with a more specific target at…..’ - HOW DOES THE TECHNIQUE EFFECT THE READER BODY PARAGRAPHS; A - Argument P - Persuasive techniques E - how does this technique effect the reader/how is the audience led to think/feel about the issue? - MAKE SURE YOU USE MULTIPLE TECHNIQUES ____________________________________________________________________________ PIECE A - LONGER PIECE PIECE B - SHORTER PIECE PIECE C - IMAGE Introduction; Contextualise issue - Title, Source, Date and Genre for each - Contention - point of view + reason EXAMPLE PIECE A TWO BODY PARAGRAPHS; PARAGRAPH 1 1. TONE 2. POV, ARGUMENT 3. TECHNIQUES 4. EFFECT ON READER 5. LEADS THEM TO THINK WHAT ABOUT THE ISSUE PARAGRAPH 2 - SHIFT IN TONE (need to find one!!!) PARAGRAPH 3 - PIECE B Similarly, likewise... PARAGRAPH 4 - PIECE C In Contrast… or by comparison...

Body paragraphs - sentence starters · [Author]commences by arguing in a [tone] that[argument]. · Using [device] [he/she] [states/asserts/attacks/highlights] [insert quote]. · [He/she] hopes to make readers to [think/feel] [emotion]about [explanation of how the language tries to make us feel about argument]. · [As a result/Consequently] readers may be more likely to agree that [contention/argument] because [explanation of why we are more likely to agree]. · Additionally [author] employs [device] when [he/she] [suggests/writes/argues] [insert quote]. · In doing so [he/she] is trying to [encourage/position/entice] readers to [think/feel] [emotion]about [explanation of how the language tries to make us feel about argument]. · [As a result/Consequently] readers may be support the idea that [argument/contention] because [explanation of why we are more likely to agree]. · The author includes an [explanation of image]captioned [caption].This image is included because [explanation of inclusion of image]. Conclusion · [Author]article,[“Title”], contends that[contention]. It argues that[arguments]. [Author] heavily on[PLT] to encourage[emotion] in his reader. ANALYSING IMAGES Photos · Look for angles and cropping. · Look for what and who is chosen to be included in the image. · Colour? · What are the motives for including this particular photo? Tables, data, maps, diagrams etc. · Look for what is being measured/documented. · Any significantly large or small amounts. · Any information that demonstrates a relationship between the data. · Any colour, bolding etc. that highlight a particular point. WHAT IS THE TONE OF THE PIECE? WHAT IS THE OVERT MESSAGE (0BVIOUS ARGUMENT) WHAT IS THE SUBTLE INFERENCES (IMPLIED IDEAS) WHAT TECHNIQUES? WHAT EFFECTS HAVE BEEN USED? WHAT IS THE OVERALL IMPACT? EXAMPLE: Mark Knight’s satirical cartoon aims to overt the message that Malcolm Turnbull

contradicts himself; the suggestion that he is ‘a man of the people’ is ultimately outlawed by Knights depiction presented, as Turnbull is, in fact, a man who behaves in a superior manner. Through the extensive caricature of the visual, including enlarged ears and chin size, Knight establishes a mocking tone by laughing at Turnbull’s pathetic efforts to blend in. Subsequently, Knight also expresses the subtle inferences of how out of touch Australian politicians are from the common Australian man and instead are only representative of a certain high-brow demographic. The bright colours of the generic men in the background contrast to the dull suit Turnbull wears, possibly symbolic of a villainous deminear he possesses. The symbolism of VB Beer, an affordable and notoriously well-known drink, alongside allusions to a beer-swilling jingle, express an appeal to nostalgia of the common man. Ultimately, despite Turnbulls efforts, his superiority will continue to separate him

Other things to look out for · Monochrome: negative connotations. · Size:big is overwhelming and stands out. · Foreground and background. · Angle: tilted up is powerful, tilted down is weak. · Difference in expressions. TONE WORDS Positive

Negative

Humour

Sorrow

Neutral

Authoritative

Accusing

Amused

Agitated

Allusive

Cheerful

Aggravated

Comical

Apologetic

Dramatic

Compassionate

Bitter

Humorous

Concerned

Instructive

Confident

Childish

Ironic

Confused

Judgmental

Enthusiastic

Critical

Mocking

Miserable

Nostalgic

Optimistic

Disappointed

Ridiculing

Nervous

Pleading

Passionate

Disgusted

Sarcastic

Regretful

Reflective

Relaxed

Furious

Satiric

Remorseful

Strident

Sympathetic

Irritated

Teasing

Serious

Unemotional

PERSUASIVE LANGUAGE TECHNIQUES PLT

Definition

Purpose

Alliteration

Repetition of the same sound in a series of words

It focuses readers on a particular section of text. The sounds create rhythm and mood.

Anecdote

An incident or event from the writer’s own personal experience

Make readers feel a connection to them or the topic. It also evokes memories.

Attack/Rebuttal

A technique whereby the writer attacks or rebuts a person, group, or opposing argument

To weaken opposing arguments.

Assertion

A reliance on the reader to take something for granted, rather than being backed up by fact

They should accept the notion as an indisputable fact.

Case studies

Looks at a related individual, group or situation

Able to apply the concepts in real world situations.

Cause and effect

When writers suggest that one action has resulted in another

Identifies patterns and explains why things turned out the way they did.

Cliché

An overused expression

Easily relatable because it is something commonly known.

Colloquial language

Less formal, more everyday and includes some slang.

Inclusive tone, The language is accessible to all and easy to understand.

Comparison

A comparison between two things that are very similar

To allude to the idea that they are the same.

Connotation

Words that imply more than their primary meaning; either positive or negative

Enhances description, meaning and tone.

Emotive language

Language that is aimed at stirring up emotions rather than logically considering the writer’s case

Triggers an emotional response, letting it get in the way.

Exaggeration

To emphasise a point

To emphasise a point

Expert opinion

A well-chosen and effective expert reference used to back up a point

Form of evidence from someone who is an expert in the field

Inclusive language

Using words such as ‘we’ and ‘us’

Includes the reader into the discussion

Irony

When a writer expresses an idea by using words that have a literal meaning that is opposite to their intended or implied meaning

Builds suspense, creates tension and sustains a reader’s interest.

Jargon

Vocabulary or technical terms that relate to particular group or confession

Conveys hidden meanings accepted and understood in that field. Also displays author’s strong knowledge of issue.

List (list of 3)

Listing certain words

More likely to remember information, set out and organised. LO3 combines brevity and rhythm.

Loaded language

Language that is biased, slanted, or has negative or positive connotations

Strong positive or negative reactions beyond their literal meaning.

Metaphor

A figure of speech comparing one thing to another

Allows a comparison to be clearer.

Pun

A witty play on words involving words which sounds alike but have different meanings

Funny and witty, capture reader’s attention.

Repetition

Writers will sometimes repeat a word or key phrase

Emphasis or key enforcement of idea.

Rhetorical question

A question that does not require an answer because the answer is obvious

Asked to make a point rather to elicit an answer.

Sarcasm

The use of scornful, cutting language to ridicule the opposition

Adds humour and cynicism.

Satire

Making fun of something or someone by exaggerating certain features

Exposes and criticises foolishness and corruption of something.

Simile

Invites a comparison between two things by using the words ‘like’ and ‘as’

Creates an image for the reader.

Statistics

Numbers presented from a reliable source

Reader will feel like they cannot argue with stats.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST WORDS:

COMPARE ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

also as well as Both comparatively in the same way in addition just as like most important similarly the same as

CONTRAST ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

although besides but compared with conversely differ even though furthermore however in contrast to instead less than more than nevertheless notwithstanding on the other hand otherwise rather than regardless unlike while yet In stark contrast….....