How to write a language analysis

1. How to write a language analysis Year 12 English

2. Step 1: read the article • Do this in READING time in exam and SAC. • Get a feel for the piece • Take note: author’s name (title – authority?), author’s contention, intended audience, date of publication, source, form, tonalities throughout the piece, title of piece.

3. Step 2: annotate • Contention – what’s the writer’s point? • For visual analysis, if you have trouble finding the contention, say ‘focuses on….’ • Find the persuasive devices in the piece • USE THE W,H,W… What, how, why…. • How does the author position the reader (intended audience) to feel/think/believe/do? • Not a listing of techniques but HOW the language works throughout the WHOLE piece. • Tone – how, what, why…it changes – take note!

4. Step 3: introduction • Your introduction should contain: • Statement about the controversy, title of the piece, author’s name, date of publication, source (The Age, blog name…), the author’s contention, intended audience, tones used throughout the piece. • Eg: Julia Gillard’s refusal to advocate for changes in the law to recognise same-sex marriage sparked a furious of public debate. John Smith’s article ‘Yes To Same-Sex Marriage’ published in ‘The Age’ on 23 December, 2011 contends, in a blunt and direct tone, that same sex attracted couples should have their right to marry enshrined in law and that readers of The Age should campaign for the legalisation of same-sex marriage.

5. Body paragraphs • Focus on the WHAT, HOW, WHY. • Identify the persuasive technique (10%) • Explain how it is used (quote) • Analyse the impact on the reader (90%). For example: Any possibility of doubt in the readers mind is removed as Smith’s personal experience as a gay man is imprinted in the reader’s mind. Three short sentences attract our attention and dramatise Smith’s ‘gay life’: by the end of the example, we are on first-name terms with Smith and involved in his story. Smith also offers examples of other gay men to provide plausible and compelling scenarios of the everyday discrimination that a gay couple experiences. In this way, the reader feels an emotional connection with Smith and this personal allegiance positions us to agree with his very personal argument.

6. Conclusion • Sums up the main persuasive techniques and how the overall effect has been achieved. • Eg: Through highly charged language and examples, Smith emphasises the necessity for politicians to legalise same sex marriage. The article concludes with an appeal to the right of ‘every man, woman and child to marry the person they love, irrespective of their gender’ – a statement that the reader has no choice but to agree. The use of inclusive language ‘we must… our goal’ reinforces the sense of collective responsibility to the issue. Finally, then, Smith positions the reader to not simply agree with him but to share his desire for urgent and effective action.

7. Success = • Do not simply list the persuasive techniques • NEVER ignore the VISUAL MATERIAL • Use reading time in exam to READ the MATERIAL AND BRAINSTORM (in your head) the PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES. • Need to review this OFTEN before EXAM. We don’t do it in Unit 4! • Practice, practice, practice, READ, READ, READ… • Learn to be discerning – choose the MOST appropriate techniques. Better students choose the subtle techniques and explore how they position the reader. • Must READ the background material – helps you to identify audience, context and contention.