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Language Analysis Notes

This document provides guidance on analyzing persuasive language in texts. It recommends a 5-paragraph structure, including an introduction that establishes the context, contention, tone, audience and purpose using the CCTAPP method. Body paragraphs should describe the author's argument, analyze how language positions the audience, and explain why techniques support the contention. Images should be briefly described and their symbolic meaning and support of arguments discussed. Common persuasive techniques include inclusive language, facts, rhetorical questions and emotive language, as well as more subtle techniques like vocabulary choices and connotations.

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Priscilla Tan
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31 views

Language Analysis Notes

This document provides guidance on analyzing persuasive language in texts. It recommends a 5-paragraph structure, including an introduction that establishes the context, contention, tone, audience and purpose using the CCTAPP method. Body paragraphs should describe the author's argument, analyze how language positions the audience, and explain why techniques support the contention. Images should be briefly described and their symbolic meaning and support of arguments discussed. Common persuasive techniques include inclusive language, facts, rhetorical questions and emotive language, as well as more subtle techniques like vocabulary choices and connotations.

Uploaded by

Priscilla Tan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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VCE ENGLISH

LANGUAGE ANALYSIS NOTES


General Structure
1. Introduction
2. Body Paragraph 1
o Describe an argument/key idea.
o Analyse persuasive techniques within the argument using What-
How-Why structure.
o End with a concluding sentence that links to the author’s intent.
3. Body Paragraph 2
4. Body Paragraph 3
5. Conclusion
o Summarise the main points of author’s writing.

Introductions
To format the introduction, use the acronym CCTAPP.
C (Context) – What is the background information? What prompted the author
to write their piece? In most cases, the context will be given to you as
‘background information.’
C (Contention) – What is the author’s stand on the issue?
T (Tone) – What is the overall tone of the piece? How does the author sound,
and what feelings are they portraying?
A (Audience) - Who the target audience of the piece? Who is the author writing
towards?
P (Purpose) – Why is the author writing this piece? What do they want the
readers to do/think?
P (Publication Details) – This includes the author’s name, where and when the
article was published and the type of text.

Persuasive pieces come in many different types – they can include blog posts,
opinion pieces, newsletters, and editorials.

Contentions
It is important that you identify the following items before you write out the
contention.

1. The issue at hand


2. The main tone that the author uses to express themselves.
3. If the author sees the issue as good or bad.
4. Why the author thinks what they think (justification)
5. The solution that the author has proposed.

After identifying these, a good structure for the contention would be:
The author [insert tone word] contends that [describe issue] is [good/bad] because
[add justification] and therefore [proposed solution].

Analysis Process (Body Paragraphs)


There is a lot that you can include in your body paragraphs, and the following
structure may be useful to follow.

WHAT:
Firstly, you should identify what the author is trying to say (their argument),
their language choices and any persuasive techniques they may be using. Direct
quotes should be used in this section as evidence (but paraphrased).

Example: The author uses inclusive language such as ‘our world,’ and ‘your future,’
to stress to the readers that global warming can influence their livelihoods.

HOW:
Next, you need to mention how the readers are positioned to feel/think because
of the way the author presents their argument. We can never know the actual
effect of the author’s words, so we always refer to it as an intended effect. Also,
be direct about your word choices, don’t use words that make it seem like you’re
sitting on the fence.

Example: These word choices elicit a sense of fear and angst amongst the
audience, causing them to worry about their beloved children.

WHY:
An author never writes their article just for the sake of it, there is always a
purpose and reason for everything that they mention.

The reason why the language device supports the author’s argument, contention
and/or purpose must be mentioned.

Example: By appealing to nostalgia, the author encourages readers to preserve their


own memories by partaking in the community-driven activities that she has
mentioned.
Analysing Images
In some cases, an image may be attached to the given article – in such a case,
the image must also be analysed.

The image should never be analysed on its own – it is better to add it to the body
paragraph where you talk about the argument that it best supports. There’s no
need to analyse every single aspect of the image – just choose the most
significant sections.

To analyse an image:
Briefly describe what the image is depicting.
Discuss the symbolic meaning of the important visual elements.
Explain how it supports or contradicts the author’s argument/contention.
Think about what emotions the audience would feel when they see the image.

When talking about an image, it is important to consider: the scale and


proportion of visual elements, the focal point, colour, any text present and
linework.

For example, let’s say we have an image that depicts a very large lion inside a
very small cage, at a zoo. This may be symbolising the zoos desperation to make
profit off an animal rather than caring for its wellbeing.

Persuasive Techniques
There are many different persuasive techniques that the author may utilise.
While there are some obvious ones, it is important that any subtle techniques
are mentioned as well.
Straightforward Persuasive Devices Subtle Persuasive Devices
Inclusive Language Sentence structure
Facts/Expert Opinion Vocabulary choices
Rhetorical Question Connotations
Emotive Language Juxtapositions
Anecdotes High and low modality
Metaphors/Similes Prolepsis

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