Language Analysis - Study Guide Text types - Opinion article – states an opinion on an issue, presenting one viewpoint. Professional journalists or expert in the relevant field, has by-line, author’s credentials - Letter to the editor- states the public’s opinion on an issue. Readers are not employed by the newspaper, have a by-line and credentials at the bottom - Editorial- states the newspaper’s official position on an issue. Newspaper staff- chief or senior editors (more than 1) no by-line. Introduction Context and contention – what’s the issue? And why it has become an issue? Audience – who/ which groups are targeted Tone Form – letter to the editor / speech/ editorial/ cartoon/opinion Language Argument/s Purpose- what is the author’s/ speaker’s aim? Visual- how does the accompanying picture link to the author’s point of view? Linking new arguments/ ideas - Initially - .. Also argues that as well as being - Not only does the writer … they also claims - Following this description - This attack is further presented - … furthers the argument through the use of Language/Persuasive Devices Repetition - Repeatedly describing Attacks - … discredits the source/ argument/ individuals - … directly challenges the argument by Structure - A listing technique - Dot points - Signposting - By listing adjectives Tone - The (writer's) simplistic and matter-of-fact tone - Along with his knowledgeable tone, (the writer) describes - Both made use of a measured and knowledgeable tone as well as strong opposing statements, to convey their message to readers - Use of an assertive tone Appeals - Is attempting to elicit sympathy from his reader, especially those who are… - This emotional appeal becomes… This is an economic appeal emphasised through the use of… … makes an appeal to be up to date … appeals to the value of tradition, as well as the hip-pocket nerve in contending that… - The use of an anecdote appeals to family values when stating '…' - By recounting instances where… (writer) aims to… Emotional appeal - The reassuring words of … intended to drive home the writer's argument - The emotional image that forms in the reader's mind as (the writer) recounts that… - The use of emotion evoking words such as… when describing… is intended to not only tug at the heartstrings but to evoke feelings of disgust for - Evokes… - … is powerful in eliciting… disgust/fear Connotations - The use of the word…highlighting how… - And the negatively-connoted word.. all highlight to the reader… - Loaded words (emotions) Comparing - By contrasting - Unlike the first argument - Mimics - Whilst both… a point of difference is - On the other hand - Contrary to Sentence starters – Introduction - the contentious issue of… continues to constantly divide opinions in Australia A (form) published in… written by in the … contends that… (Author) intends to (purpose) through a (tone) The writer asserts that… contending that…, the writer then… the author established the main contention that… In a … tone, the writer declares… The point of view presented by (writer) is… Adopting a controversial position, the writer argues that… Contends that or Argues that… Written in response to… Responds to the issue of Maintains a…tone throughout Is directed at an...audience The recent announcement of… has In a succinct and reassuring article (writer) asserts his support of (writer) presents an opposing This argument is targeted at The contention is clearly presented Body paragraph Follow TEEL. Identify the tone, argument, technique, example and intended effect. AIM is to analyse how the writer positions the reader to believe his/her contention - Argument: what does the writer employ to position the reader towards his/her contention? - Feature: persuasive language, structure, punctuation (eg. abrupt sentences quickly and effectively assert a point of view, as though no elaboration is needed and therefore the point is considered to be stronger - “alcohol and study simply do not mix”.) - Discuss the effect the persuasive feature has on the reader e.g. the writer makes heavy use of hyperbole to create feelings of distress and uneasiness in the reader's mind. By using exaggerated phrases such as ‘spun dangerously out of control’ and ‘youth crime explosion’ strong emotional responses such as panic and anxiety are aroused in the reader and they are more likely to accept the writer’s contention. Eg. “a wage in the hand of a kid, is like sand through a sieve” - this sentence is a strong generalisation, makes use of a simile, uses imagery that paints a picture and sticks in the reader's mind (a picture paints a thousand words) and is also a huge exaggeration (hyperbole). Sentence starters – body paragraphs - (writer) continues to mount his/her case for (issue) by introducing the need… Adopting a … tone, (writer) argues that… Through the use of … By introducing …, the writer positions his/ her audience to… The use of colourful language predisposes us to… Reference to… (experts/ scientific findings/ statistics) lend credibility to the writer’s argument The issue of … contributes to the effect of Through repetition of the word…, the writer seeks to coerce the reader into believing that… With a series of rhetorical questions…, the author aims to appeal to The connotations of the word/phrase… have the effect of … By relentlessly attacking the opposing view, the author leads readers to accept… The use of … positions the reader to share the writer’s viewpoint that… Having established the case… the writer shifts his/her focus … Making clear and concise introductory statements, communicating his contention that By establishing that Outlining his/her main argument Supporting the (writer's) stance/ opinion/ argument Positioning the reader - Positioning the reader to believe - …positions the reader to agree with the expert opinion on the issue by stating… - Aiming to set up a bias in the reader’s mind - Positioning them to be more likely to agree with him - This highlights to the audience how… - The gravity of the situation is made clear …further supports the argument that… …positions the reader to be more inclined to… To engage the reader This gains credibility for the argument by… Invites the reader Readers are prompted to view … in a more positive light This strengthens the idea in the reader that… Visuals - Supporting the argument might be an illustration or cartoon or photograph - Accompanying the text… - Visually depicting… - This argument is reinforced by the accompanying cartoon - The image portrays… Explaining the logic used in the argument - The writer is providing evidence to his reader emphasising that… - By stating … the writer is giving evidence to reassure his readers that… - The writer not only argues… but also… Synonyms for the word ‘argue’ - Asserts Alleges Contends Declares Affirms Makes a case Reasons - Suggests Emphasises Demands Implies Recommends Highlights Useful linking/comparing/contrasting words and phrases - Similarly Likewise In the same way Equally too So too By contrast On the other hand However In comparison Whereas Furthermore - Moreover Shifts to Initially argues Opens to Concludes to Leads the reader to think/feel For instance Therefore As a result Thus For this reason - Cropping Background Visual Analysis - Foreground Focus Colouring Conclusion - Sum up what the writer’s main contention is, what do they want their audience to believe/do? Summarises the main techniques they have used to convey their points of view Assess the likely success of the author’s persuasive strategy Are they likely to have convinced them? How successful have they been? Written Persuasive Techniques - Techniques to emphasise the message: - Rhetorical devices - Repetition - Smilies - Exaggeration - Techniques to make the audience feel something about the message - Emotive techniques - Appeal to fear - Appeal to greed - Appeal to fairness - Emotive language - Inclusive language - Techniques to make the audience feel the message is reasonable - Logical devices - Statistics examples - Expert opinions - Technique to make the audience trust the person delivering the message - Personal anecdotes - Inclusive language Visual Persuasive Techniques - Image: who or what is the image? How is it related to the issue? - Focus: What is your attention drawn to in the picture? Is it because of size? Position? Language? Why is this element important? - Emphasise and purpose: What is the main subject of the picture? What attributes or characteristics of this subject are being emphasised? For what purpose? How are we as an audience meant to feel? How does this link to the contention of the written piece? Useful tone words - Calm Amicable (friendly) Amused Self-important Disappointed Diplomatic (political) Appreciative Humorous - Self-righteous Dismayed (appalled) Moderate Approving Ironic Heavy-handed Forthright (direct) Open-minded - Conciliatory Ridiculing Moralising Matter of fact Reasonable Friendly Sarcastic Punctilious (careful) Unequivocal - Authoritative (reliable) Sympathetic Sardonic Cynical (own interest) Aggressive Cautious Understanding Animated Negative Confrontational Conservative Earnest (serious) Elated Pessimistic (worst aspect) Hostile (dislike) Guarded Humble Fervent/Zealous Scathing (harsh, critical) Retrained Modest Arrogant Alarmed Apathetic (no interest) Apologetic (regretful) Condescending Bewildered Detached (separate) Remorseful Patronising Outraged Insipid (weak) Sentimental (sad) Proud Shocked/critical Admiring - Aggrieved Anxious Appalled Approving Ardent Arrogant Assured Belligerent Bitter Bombastic Candid Cautious Cheerful Complaining Conciliatory Confident Controlled Conversational Dejected Despondent Detached Disconsolate Disgusted Dispirited Earnest Embittered Entertaining Enthusiastic Exasperated Facetious Formal Friendly Frivolous Grumbling Guarded Hopeful Humorous Impassioned Impersonal Indifferent Indignant - Informal Jocular Light-hearted Measured Melodramatic Moderate Nostalgic Objective Optimistic Outraged Passionate Perplexed Pessimistic Plaintive Pompous Pretentious Querulous Quizzical Reasonable Regretful Resentful Respectful Restrained Sad Sanguine Sarcastic Sardonic Satirical Sensible Sensitive Serious Sincere Sober Solemn Sorrowful Tolerant Vehement Vicious Wistful Witty
