Possible Purpose for Organizational Strategies and Language techniques used in
Discourse Analysis
Organizational strategies​ = this refers to the way in which the information is put together,
combined, arranged, structured to communicate the message and achieve the writer’s purpose.
✔ Dialogue​ - to reveal character; develop plot; entertain and demonstrate issue
✔Narrative point of view - establishes a relationship between the narrator and the action; first
person - involved in the action and subjective; third person - generally observing the action and
being objective
✔ Cohesive elements​: Paragraph and Sentence Structure
short - builds tension, very snappy, to the point; allows easy processing
long - shows the reader being relentless and going on and on; provides scope for development
✔Chronological, numerical or spatial order - appeals to the intellect and makes it easier to
account for and make sense of things
✔Definitions - clarify or making meaning of a subject clear, especially key/technical terms,
facilitate ease of comprehension, orient or position the reader
✔Cause and effect (causal analysis) - reasons things happen; cause: why/ effect: end result;
explain a situation (cause only, effects only OR both cause and effect); answers the question or
gives reasons why something happens
✔Comparison and contrast: systematic examination of two or more subjects to show the
extent or breadth of something; to corroborate that which is similar or earmark stark differences
✔Classification- putting or breaking things down into systematic categories (also a type of
analysis) for ease of understanding, clarity, and a more practical approach to a subject matter
✔Analysis:
subject analysis: dividing subjects into various parts
process analysis: step by step how something is done
✔Examples to illustrate or demonstrate a point; to prove; to justify; moves from general to
specific (inductive ); to strengthen credibility
✔Facts, statistical information, data: to make the evidence convincing, verifiable and even
overwhelming; to enhance credibility and appeal to reason and logic; offers proof
✔Analogy/Anecdote - using brief stories or scenarios to make the points or to set the tone; to
engage the reader; usually causes the audience to reflect
✔Authoritative sources: to give a sense of the information being well researched, authentic,
supported by those who should know; viable, corroborated (confirmed by others); it increases
logos appeal; it emphasizes the scope or extent of a problem
✔Sequencing for unity, easy processing,
✔Problem solution: presents a problem then works out solutions; to show dire situation,
impact, but that it is not too late; something can be done
✔Refutations = refuting counter argument to strengthen ones own argument; to prove that one
has a balanced and knowledgeable grasp of the subject matter
✔Personal experience: subjective, first-hand account; relatable; personal; develops trust and
intimacy between reader and writer; bridges the psychological distance
✔Repetition = constantly/frequently repeated to drive the point home; makes the text more
powerful,
✔Titles and subtitles to focus the reader; classify the information; make it easier to follow and
process; break up the information into manageable chunks; more visually and psychologically
appealing
✔Rhetorical questions/hypophora = create drama; focus the reader’s attention, heighten
interest; are engaging; give the sense the writer is talking to the reader
✔ Date or historical data/period​: establishes a context; offers a point of reference from which
to process information
Language techniques = the use of literary devices/figures of speech and other
language-related elements which help to enhance the writer’s meaning and to emphasize
aspects of the message to achieve the purpose
✔Metaphoric language, as opposed to literal language (​ each can be discussed by itself as
a technique)
● Puns: witty, clever, engage the reader
● Hyperbole: for emphasis, strong emotion/impression, humour,
● Imagery: creates sense images in the reader’s mind (use the senses to
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understand them and usually appeal to emotion)
Simile/metaphor: underscores similarity, engages the reader, concretizes the
point
Alliteration/assonance: using sound to reinforce point, appeal to interest; a pattern the
brain recognizes and stores readily
Cliche:
Idioms:
Paradox:
Proverbs:
✔Tone: conveys the author’s attitude to the subject; expressed through words, e.g.
enthusiastic, gloomy, conversational, unbiased, measured, balanced, etc; it affects the reader’s
response and can manipulate emotion
✔List of three or listing in threes: ​to create great emphasis, to draw attention to key
information, to show scope or extent of something, etc. e.g. The ​unspeakable​, ​abominable​,
disgraceful​ situation is disturbing to all
Type​ ​of language/voice​ (each can be discussed by itself as a technique)
✔Spoken or written, formal or informal, personal or impersonal, standard or creole?
✔Emotive language: manipulates reader’s emotions or responses (shock, pain, fear, guilt,
worry, joy); creates a positive or negative feeling; words used to convey/arouse feelings, to
suggest
✔Assertive language: powerfully worded to sound indisputable and encourage reader to
accept information without question
✔Formal language: serious language, no relationship between writer and reader, adds a
sense of authority and credibility; to be taken seriously,
✔Informal language: sets up a more relaxed situation, establishes a relationship between
writer and reader, a more personal approach to subject, makes the text feel more approachable,
relaxed and relatable
✔Inclusive language : first person pronouns to identify with the problem as a means of
persuading the reader to accept the writer’s point of view
✔Prescriptive language: to segment, prescribe solution, encourage change, make
recommendations, etc.
✔Dispassionate language: to avoid making light of a serious issue
✔Passive voice: to achieve a sense of objectivity and distance in the reporting of the issue,
e.g. The situation was brought to public attention by the employee
✔Active voice: to express a sense of action; subject is directly participating in the action, e.g.
The employee brought the situation to public attention
✔Language related elements: (each can be discussed by itself as a technique)
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The vocabulary used: prosaic or florid, simple or stilted, slang or formal, repetition of key
words and phrases?
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The phrasing and sentence structure: simple or complex, economical or verbose, direct
or circumlocutory
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Connotative or Denotative: words which are really intended to arouse emotions
(metaphorical meaning) vs words used referentially to emphasize or state factual content
(literal meaning)
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Significant use of punctuation marks- e.g. pause marks such as ellipses, full stops,
question signs, exclamation marks
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Typographical features- use of font sizes, bold face, capitals, spacing, indentation,
Punctuation: ellipsis, contractions, etc - relaxed register, more informal and relatable; inverted
commas to call attention to key terms for emphasis
✔ Rhetorical question/hypophora​: can be used as either an organizational strategy or
language technique