Semantic fields: A collection of related words/phrases(Home= safety, welcome, support, shelter, structure, warmth) Lexical sets: A group of words that are related to each other in meaning (tree lexical set = leaf, trunk, bark, branch) Register: Refers to the level of formality - carefully considering word choice or sentence structure. Diction: The choice of words (can be broken down into specific categories - formal, informal, abstract, colloquial or slang, poetic, concrete (literal meanings) diction, etc.) ● modal verbs: (ability, permission, advice, obligation, possibility) ○ E.g. “can I sit?'' is permission, “can you speak french?” Is ability Vocabulary: The use of multisyllabic words ● E.g. jargon (specific understanding group) and colloquialisms reveal the speaker's personality. Denotation is literal vs connotation is implied: home can mean a house or a feeling. Concrete vs abstract words: ● Concrete language = we can physically observe such as tables, books and the sky. ● Abstract language = intangible ideas such as truth, sadness and love. Syntax (sentence/word structure and order): analyze formality by checking sentence structure (simple vs compound etc) and the order of words/phrases/clauses. Voice: Comment on why active or passive voices have been used? Also why each type is used ○ Declarative- formal ○ Exclamatory- more informal/ excited ○ Interrogative- curious/influence someone’s opinion/ persuade them if it's a rhetorical question. ○ Imperative- set of instructions or a command or a request ○ Narrative Voice: First, Second, Third person narration ■ Omniscient third-person narration (all knowing) vs Limited third-person (only one perspective) ● Direct address has specific identifications (names or pronouns) Visual texts: Compositional Techniques - combination of elements (camera angles, framing, lines, size and positioning). ● Composition: Everything included or omitted from an image. ● Salience (first attracts attention): dominant part highlighted by placement, size, contrast in tone/color ● Foreground (front) vs Middle ground (mid) vs background (farthest layer): ● Rule of thirds (dividing into 3): Image has dominant parts (subject or focus) positioned at a point of intersection. - creates balance? ● Negative space (not first glance attention grabber): when the area surrounding the subject (peripheral/outer edge) is less focussed to emphasize the focal point. ○ E.g. The dominant expanse (area of wide/continuous surface) of the landscape in the foreground takes up roughly two-thirds of the image to emphasize the animal’s solitude. ● Camera angle: May emphasize, suggest relationships, establish tensions, or create a dramatic effect. ● Color: Emotional impact or symbolic purpose, influence mood, effective in advertising, marketing etc. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ● ● ● ● ● Red: Passion, Love, Anger, Danger Orange: Energy, Happiness, Vitality Yellow: Happiness, Hope, Deceit Green: New Beginnings, Abundance, Nature Blue: Calm, Responsible, Sadness Purple: Creativity, Royalty, Wealth, Ambition Black: Mystery, Elegance, Evil Gray: Moody, Conservative, Formality White: Purity, Cleanliness, Virtue, knowledge, safety Brown: Nature, Wholesomeness, Dependability Tan or Beige: Conservative, Piety, Dull Cream or Ivory: Calm, Elegant, Purity - Perspective: Depth and spatial relationships between objects shows scale/depth Trompe l’oeil: 2-D art optical illusion to depict it a 3-D impression One Point linear perspective: 2 lines converge at a single point in the horizon to create depth. Diminishing scale perspective (larger = closer, smaller = farther): Adds depth. Forced Perspective (optical illusion): Strategically positioning objects on a single plane - e.g. holding the eiffel tower Street Art - Social commentary with icons and symbols (Trompe l’oeil) Typography or Graphology (grabs attention) ● Placement (front or behind), context, color, layering, bold, underlined italicized, contrast, consistency, alignment, white space, font, shape, texture, personality/character Graphic Novel Structural Features: (Graphic novels =complex structure + div. Into chapters w deeper themes vs a comic book part of a longer series and is usually structured sequentially around a simple storyline). ● Layout: How elements are composed & work together to create meaning. ● Punchline: Build up to a single phrase or word which creates humor. ● Panel: The box with images and text. ○ A Splash is a bigger or single panel which emphasizes action in that one panel. ● Gutter: The space between the panels - what may occur in the space between each image. ● Bleed: when an image goes beyond the borders of the page to emphasize a particular panel. ● Graphic weight: the heaviness or intensity of shading for visual focus. (Bolder graphic weight = greater visual focus = more salient element in the scene). ● Emanata: lines or graphics which indicate the emotions of the figures/char. on the page. ● Non sequitur (humor): It does not follow, I love bunny rabbits ● Moment to moment, Action to Action, Subject to Subject, Aspect to Aspect, Non sequitur ● Speech bubble, Thought bubble, Special effects (onomatopoeia), caption, frame (and borderless is usually a symbol) Dramatic Structure of a Plot - normal literary devices too ● Exposition: character, setting, conflict, status quo ● Rising Action: events increasing, conflict ● Climax: High point in conflict ● Falling Action: event after climax ● Resolution: problem resolved (life afterward) Propaganda (ads): assertion, false dilemma, plain folk, name-calling/scapegoating enemy, simplification, card stacking (ignore opposition) ● Glittering generalities: A vague, "feel good" statement linked with confirmation bias. ○ “The Best Part of Waking Up” (Folgers coffee) or “Change We Can Believe In” (Barack Obama) ● ● Transfer technique (projecting): Linking the authority or prestige of something pos/neg ○ E.g “torches of freedom” for cigarette sales linked to independence/gender equality, or the church linked to “pro-life” religious political campaigns (can be good or bad dep. on audience reception) ● Testimonial (famous public endorsement): from a public figure/celebrity ● Plain folks technique (regular people endorsement): Basic and relatable appeal propaganda method ○ E.g. Nutella was marketed as plain “breakfast food” when it’s actually dessert. ● Bandwagon phenomenon: creates a sense of isolation and triggers FOMO for those who want to feel included in some type of desirable group. ○ E.g. popular diets or ppl wanting to vote for more popular political candidates. Main Text Types: Usually With Visuals Advertisement - Problem and benefit (benefit and need): appealing to the desires of readers. ● Title (typography, Image, Slogan), Avant garde = innovation ● Anchoring (first image bias), testimonial, tagline/catchphrase, shock value, symbolic association ● Advertising claims: glittering generalities/ weasel words, scientific claims, vague language, or bandwagon claims, “impressive yet meaningless jargon,” magic ingredients, patriotism, snob appeal, sex appeal, hidden fears, escapism, compliment the consumer, nurturing, peer approval, rebelion, unfinish comparison/claims Magazine Cover: ● Ears (upper corners) and Teasers (headlines in ears): Grabs attention = the genre of magazine ● Headlines and captions: Salient statements, questions or phrases to lead the article ● Photograph (camera angle of people or headshot): looking down = appear weak, looking up = strong ● Lighting (crisp vs warm) and color (high or low contrast?): objects symbolize ideas Blog – personal anecdote or review on topical subjects, RLE, opinions, imperative voice ● Voice: Should be informal without sounding chatty, punchy but not terse, focused but relevant to a larger audience, and short but not thin on content. Brochure/leaflet – promotional, informative, educational, uncluttered design, nox organization ● Cover with three elements: a salient image, the company’s logo, captivating phrase ● Compelling text, tone/ color to set the mood and invite readers, font size variety ● Strategic use of White Space: look decluttered and draws attention to key images/ information. Cartoon ● Caricature, topica/, symbolism (abstract idea through concrete objects), labels/caption, irony o Other features have been discussed under the visual text section. Diary – first person viewpoint, personal, express thoughts and feelings ● Chronological structure with flashbacks, colloquialisms, slang ● Perspective: diaries are written to be private as the reader and writer are the same people. A confessional is a particular form of diary writing that reveals a secret. ● Register and tone (informal/ semi-formal for comfort): Reveals the attitude of the writer - thoughtful and reflective, scathing and caustic, etc. Infographic ● Color, font, visual balance, visual unity (text, icons, illustrations, data widgets and space, sizing) ● Focal Point and Flow: Focal points follow the flow of the hierarchy. ● Laws of Hierarchy: The design space affects how layouts look, flow and feel for the viewer. ○ The word hierarchy literally means “a visual system where things are organized in order of importance.” ● Gestalt Principles (design and psychology): The human brain perceives objects differently when seen in groups than when seen on their own. ○ 6 individual principles: similarity, continuation, closure, proximity, figure/ground, and symmetry & order Magazine/news article ● Photograph (headshots), headline/ subheadline, quotes/ source for reliability (ethos), facts (logos) ● Newsworthiness (context): Readers look for news stories that are either relevant to their lives, extraordinary, negative or any combination of these things. Set of instructions - familiarize the completion of a task/ specific outcome - rhetorical content/design. ● Readability and Consistency: Audience, Context, Scope (details), Language, Imperative mood, Word Choice Consistency + Parallelism Scientific Articles - informative, credible (facts/stats/clear explanations) ● Diction (specialist language), Comparisons (for abstract or complex concepts to visualize) ● Visuals: photographs, diagrams, charts and graphs or simplification. ● Structure: lookout for both linear and non-linear structures and layouts or historical overview Main Text Types: Usually Without Visuals Encyclopedia entry: ● Well-Organized (alphabetic/thematic): Find information quickly and easily. ● Vast (many entries of great detail): Represent an array of knowledge even if one theme/topic. ● Authoritative (source of facts/explanations): Clear and direct to settle disputes and avoid confusion. ● Expert Contributions: Compiled by experts in a particular field to ensure facts are correct. Appeal - (persuasive - uses logos, pathos, ethos - impactful and emotive language) ● Headings & Subheading, Visuals (like ads): Body language and facial expressions ● Metonymy: a single person who represents donations to hunger/ poverty Parody (often confused with a spoof or a satire) - used for satire on social and political commentary ● A parody is a comical imitation of another work. ● A spoof mocks a genre rather than a specific work. ● A satire uses irony and humor to mock political or religious views (political cartoon). ● Imitation: must evoke the original work enough for the audience to recognize it while exaggerating the style, tone or other characteristics making it appear ridiculous. ● Genre Satire: broader literary or artistic genres while still referencing specific works. Pastiche – imitates famous literary work not like parody, to honor a piece light heartedly/ respectfully. broad mixture of things – such as themes, concepts, and characters – imitated from different literary works. Interview ● Format (QNA): check for balance - even split or interviewee focus ○ If the interviewer’s own thoughts and feelings are apparent this is called authorial intrusion. ● Register (like speech): colloquialism, idioms, contraction, jokes, etc. ● Quotation: Direct quotations (title might even be a quote) – reported speech for brevity or style ● Structure: intro, QNA, conclusion - focused on one issue or may range across various topics. ● Perspective (subjective): assertive statements present opinions as facts. ○ Interviewer in question can lead your opinion or create bias. Letter (formal/informal) – flexible purpose: complain, seek advice, connect, gossip, ● Name and address, variety of tone and register depending on who its for ● Salutation: a direct address to the recipient - vary from the formal ‘Dear’ or ‘To whom this may concern’ ● Sign off: Non-conventional sign-offs can be used for a variety of reasons; check the end of the letter to see if the writer expects a reply (back and forth) - also if the letter was a reply itself or not. Memoir - Typically anecdotal, Inciting incident (key event theme), Obstacles (overcome and inspire) ● Theme: Tight focus point for hindsight wisdom reflection, direct speech as well for “first-hand” ● Emotional beats: A compelling emotional journey to experience these pivotal inflection points. Newspaper/Report/Tabloid - “Copy” is actual article, embedded interviews, subheadings ● Masthead: strip across the top of a newspaper front page with name, date, price. ● Headline is anchor (tone and angle): pun, alliteration, elliptical headline (only keywords) ● Emotion and bias: visuals - sensationalism, any language to distort reality. Screenplay - the script thing ● Act and Scene, Dialogue (Soliloquy is private speech vs dramatic aside talks to audience) ● Time, Period, Place, Locale is region, Mood is atmosphere, Theme, ● Beat Change: Why is the character changing tactics or objectives Speech - attention grabber, bonding (ethos) ● Ethos, Logos, Pathos - Persuasive, Direct Address, Modality, Rhetoric, Logical Fallacies Travel writing ● Viewpoint, Perspective, Structure, Information, Description, Visuals, Characters, Setting ● Exposition, Conflict, Narrative Technique, Characterization, Opinion Column – not same as persuasive speech, convey a message, newsworthy, hard facts ● Perspective (1st person): ‘We’ instead of ‘I’ implies the viewpoint is common, Anecdotes (hook), ● Solid Arguments (facts/stats, studies, research, evidence): Assertion presents an opinion as fact ● Structure: suspense with any register or tone but generally formal ● Concession: to the other side of the argument or even an acknowledgement that the writer is flawed. Rhetorical devices - Definition + Example Analogy, Allusion, Symbolism, Juxtaposition, Contrast, Hyperbole vs. Understatement (irony), Allegory (deeper meaning), Repetition, Enumeration, Cacophony vs Euphony, Personification, Onomatopoeia, Anthropomorphic, Personification (and Pathetic Fallacy- inanimate only), Alliteration, Euphemism, Imagery, etc. ● Anadiplosis: Repetition last word to start of next sentence ○ She opened a café, a café that ruined her financially ● Anaphora: Repetition at start of multiple sentences — Epistrophe: Opposite of anaphora ○ Let freedom…abc… Let freedom… xyz… Let freedom… blah blah… ○ Of the people, by the people, for the people ● Chiasmus (A-B-B-A): One phrase is inverted in the following phrase ○ "She has all my love; my heart belongs to her" ● Antimetabole (A-B, B-A): The repetition of words in successive clauses in transposed order ○ I say what I mean and I mean what I say ● Antithesis (contrast): Two clear opposing ideas in a sentence ○ One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind| nutritionally deficient vs spiritually nourishing ● Asyndeton: Removing conjunctions between the phrases ● ● ● ○ She has black hair, dark skin, a big nose (the “and” was removed) Polysyndeton: Repetition of conjunctions where commas could exist ○ Let the white folks have their money and power and segregation and schools. Hypophora: the writer raises a question, and then immediately answers ○ Who made me take this trip to Europe? My family. Zeugma: One word to modify 2 other words in 2 ways to link 2 thoughts. ○ I held her hand, and my tongue. Other Literary/ Figurative Devices: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● Parallelism (parallel syntax structure): Repetition for emphasis or creates a parallel position of contrast (anaphora, antithesis, asyndeton, epistrophe, etc. are types of parallelism category) ○ where there is smoke, there is fire |or| It takes one to know one Synecdoche: Generalization or specification based on a definite part/trait of the object. Example: He just got new wheels (car); - Merism: 2 contrast make the whole - searched high and low Metonymy: substituting name for something else - suit for business executive, or the track for horse racing. ○ A single person who represents donations to hunger/ poverty Tautology: Saying the same thing twice in different ways. (Example - In my opinion, I personally think…) Tricolon or Triples (rule of three): three parallel words, phrases, or clauses. Adnomination (euphony): Repetition of words with the same root ○ Someone, somewhere, wants something Apostrophe: Directed speech to someone who is not present or to an object. ○ Life, why would you do this to me? Assonance (repeat vowel in close proximity) or Consonance: - Mike likes his bike (consonants) Cataphora: Mentioning the subject later - Example: I met him yesterday, your boyfriend who was cool Ellipsis: Word or phrase omission - Example: I speak five languages, but you only speak two. Epigram: Satirical statement with a twist - Example: For most of history, Anonymous was a woman. Aphorism: short (witty) statement that reveals a universal truth - grass is always greener on other side Aporia: expresses (feigned) uncertainty or doubt to a point. - to be or not to be, that is the question Pun: A kind of wordplay. Here are a few types of puns: Paradox: jumbo shrimp ○ Antanaclasis: repetition of the same word but with a different meaning ■ The company is bad company ○ Malapropism: Incorrect word with a similar sound- (“optical delusion” instead of “optical illusion”). ○ Paraprosdokian: arranging a sentence in such a manner so the last part is unexpected ■ You’re never too old to learn something stupid |or| I have a young heart… in my freezer ○ Polyptoton: stylistic repeating words with same etymon (root word another is derived from) - The things you own end up owning you, love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired Persuasive techniques: (rhetorical triangle is a big one* - most effective use all 3) Rhetorical Appeal: A stylistic or persuasive technique to convey a point or convince an audience Rhetorical Situation (context/exigence) why is this text being written? issue/problem/situation: ○ Writer, purpose, message, audience, context/culture, medium (text type), invention, arrangement, style, memory, delivery o Ethos (ethics/credibility) - VOICE: Appeal to the authority of the writer/speaker. - Builds a sense of trust within the audience - tone/style/appeal to character, culture, morals o Pathos (feelings/emotions) - AUDIENCE: Creating emotional impact or personal connection o Logos (logic/reasoning) - MESSAGE: message using facts/evidence ● Kairos (appeal to time): the “where, when, and why” = timelessness of an argument = right place at the right time. ○ E.g. avril lavigne teen magazine more effective in 2002 than in 2022 Rhetorical question: Doesn’t ask for an answer, just makes a point/introduces a topic for dramatic effect. Implies an answer to a question to subtly influence the audience. ● ● Context of interpretation Fallacies Other Vocab to use Manufacture consent Ad hominem Cultural bias Argumentation The Big Lie Philanthropic ad Strawman Representation Bribery/Flattery Simple Solution Context of composition Slippery Slope Explicit Claim Anchoring Bias Double Entendre Culture jamming (own meaning) Post hoc (correlation/causation) Sensationalism (intensifiers) Stereotyping (namecalling/demonization) Counter-advertisi ng (anti-ad) Newsworthiness False Dichotomy Nostalgia Testimonials Use Guiding Question: Big 5: Audience/Purpose Content/Theme Tone/Mood Stylistic Devices Structure Visuals: image proportion, colors, camera angles Written: style of text, quotes?, devices, rhetoric, punctuation, tone, Where are elements found in text, stereotypes/symbolism? How does it interact with other text types? Audience/Author Representation Ideology Narrative Genre
