Language Analysis
Introduction
Identify the issue and contextThe first text- the text type, place of publication, writer, intended audience, purpose and main
contention
The second text- the text type, place of publication, writer, intended audience, purpose and main
contention
…has sparked a lot of controversy/ concern.
…has attracted much attention (from…)
…has been heatedly debated (amongst…)
…has ignited much heated debate (among…)
An advertorial, entitled ‘A better, faster shopping experience’, written by a manager of local
grocery store, Hailey Astaire, targets local customers and contends cashless payment is easier
and faster in a passionate tone. The visual accompaniment highlights how both customer and the
staff will be happy about the decision to go cashless. In response, Samuel Morricone, a local
resident publishes a letter to the editor in the local newspaper to rebut Hailey’s arguments,
suggesting cashless payment is not beneficial for customers.
Body paragraph
text 1
PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES ANALYSIS （TECHNIQUE，PROPOSE）
The writer (advances, champions, promotes, advocates, condones, proposes, asserts, endorses,
recommends) ….(a particular idea).
The writer commences by stating that…/ Upon commencement…
The writer proceeds to/ moves on to argue that…/ continues by…
The writer emphasises the importance of…
The writer berates the companies for…
The writer begins by listing particular examples, before discussing the general ideas underlying
them, encouraging the reader to feel that…
The writer uses a series of rhetorical questions designed to evoke positive responses from
readers, thus preparing the reader to feel that…
By beginning with a humorous anecdote, the writer aims to establish a friendly rapport with the
audience.
* 1+1 : the write’s use of (techniques)…(advances, enhances, reinforces, bolsters, makes relevant,
strengthens, develops, promotes, sustains) his/ her argument that …
AGREEMENT （EFFECT）
Hence the reader might agree with the writer
The audience may support the writer’s argument/proposal.
The audience may share/accept the writer’s argument that…
The audience may align themselves with the writer.
The audience may slide with the writer on the issue of …
The audience may join the writer and advocating/protesting against …
The reader is encouraged to feel indignant/grateful/confident/distraught/re-assured
REBUTTAL
The writer addresses some people’s potential concern that ‘…’/about ‘…’, however, he quickly
dismisses it by stating ‘…’. As a result, the reader may feel the writer’s point of view is wellbalanced/unbiased/objective as he has taken … into consideration/account. Most audience
would feel this option unacceptable/undesirable/unpalatable, they might join the speaker in
protesting …
平⾏行行对⽐比公式
Draw a parallel between A and B
Draw an analogy between A and B
Juxtapose A and B
The juxtaposition between A and B
To highlight the critical…
As most of the audience are familiar with…/have prior knowledge…/have common sense, they
are inclined to support the speaker…
They may naturally come to the conclusion that…
GRAPH, CHARTS ,TABLES
To suggest that the writer’s opinion is supported by independent evidence
To imply that the writer has arrived at an opinion as a result of research
To draw the reader’s attention to information the writer thinks is important
To convey, in a clear and easy-to-understand manner, certain information the writer feels is
important.
Using tables and charts to present complex statistics makes the information easier for a general
audience to understand and suggests that the writer’s position is based evidence.
TONE
The writer’s tone is…and is intended to highlight…
In a … tone, the writer …
The writer’s attitude towards … is clear form the … tone of the writing which…
In order to reassure/ provoke/ amuse the audience, the writer uses a … tone.
The… tone encourages the audience to …
The speaker’s use of a …tone influences the audience to…
Shift tone
The tone shifts as the writer goes on to …
The shift in tone positions the audience to …
Positive
Negative
Neutral
Appreciative
Aggressive
Bland
Approving
Angry
Businesslike
Assured
Arrogant
Calm
Conciliatory
Bitter
Dispassionate
Enthusiastic
Bullying
Formal
Exuberant
Disparaging
Forthright
Lively
Hostile
Matter-of-fact
Optimistic
Pessimistic
Measured
Respectful
Querulous
Official
Sympathetic
Threatening
Serious
VISUAL
Caption, context, background, framing, perspective of the viewer
(powerful, humorous, dramatic, striking, stark, confronting, evocative, arresting, sympathetic)
Similarity: supports, reinforce, echoes, backs, reiterates, endorses, seconds, bolsters, uploads,
confirms, corroborates, consolidates
Difference: undermines, contradicts, challenges, disputes, negates, opposes, repudiates.
The photographer has chosen to include…within the frame of the image, contributing to an
impression of the subject as…
The sarcastic tone of the caption works with the exaggerated elements of the cartoon to
encourage the viewer to see the subject as ridiculous.
The extreme close-up shot highlights the subject’s …, positioning the viewer to feel…
The photograph is shot from above, making the subject appeal small and venerable, arousing the
viewer’s sympathy.
The wide-angled shot is intended to convey an impression of the large scope of the problem.
By photographing the main subject against a backdrop of…, the photographer aims to suggest
that…
The cartoonist’s use fo short, sharp lines and dark shading work together to create a sense of
despair and hopelessness.
Dim lighting creates a … effect, conveying the idea of….
Text 2
The writer(condemns, denigrates, mocks, contradicts, dismisses, refutes, criticises, disputes,
undermines)…(the opposing opinion)
Similarly:
Like X, Y also…
In the same way that X relies on … Y also uses
Writer X and Y both approach the issue from a similar perspective.
X and Y agree that…
Difference:
Unlike X, Y…
While X relies on…, Y takes a more … approach.
X and Y use contrasting techniques…
X and Y approach the issue from very different perspectives.
X disagrees with Y on the issue of …
Conclusion