vce language analysis how to

8/12/2019 VCE Language Analysis How To

1/6

Language AnalysisSalis Five-Point-Plan

1 Analysing the Piece

In next weeks SAC, we will be presented with an opinionpiece on the issue of Same-Sex Marriage. So youget a good grasp of the issue, itd be a great idea for you to have a look at some of the for and againstarguments as well as read some opinion pieces. I suggest you start your brief research on Wikipedia, then agoogle search of Same Sex Marriage Australia will bring you a myriad of opinion pieces.

When analysing any given piece, your best bet is to read it once through, without a pen in your hand. Once youhave a general gist of the piece, including a vague idea of the contention, have two highlighters ready. One tohighlight the technique (and evidence... a quote, etc), and one to highlight the tone/tones, audience and

contention. Annotate thoughts and ideas as you wish- it will help keep you on track when you are writing theessay.

CONTENTION: The authors position in regard to the issue. Look for buzzwords like I realised/I believe/Iunderstand/I feel, etc.

TONE: The general feel and style of the piece. Be aware that most great pieces use varying tones, so, makesure you dont overgeneralise if you cant find one definite tone.

EASY WAY TO LOOK FOR AND UNDERSTAND TECHNIQUES

1. WHATis being done? (The technique)2. HOW is it being done? (The evidence)3. WHY is it being done? (The intended effect)At this stage, if unfamiliar with any vocabulary, usethe dictionary to clarify- those unfamiliar words couldbe essential to identifying and understandingtechniques, tones and contentions.

< Example of an annotated piece. Notice that yellowhighlights afew (not all) techniques Bluehighlights the audience (Aswell as orange underline) Pinkhighlights the tone.


2/6

2 Planning your essay + Introduction

It seems that most people, no matter how many Language Analysis theyve done, get agitated andnervous when theyve nitpicked and gone through the stimuli piece.

First thing. DONT STRESS. You are merely identifying a technique that the author has used to get the

audience to share their position.

Second thing. Unlike a text response, there is a clear and definite modelthat you can easily follow tohelp structure your introduction, main body paragraphs and conclusion.

Lets start with the introduction. Ill structure an introduction per step. The piece is attached tothis document

Step 1. What is the background of the issue?This is where your research of context comes in. Doesnt have to be have to be so detailedthat it takes half your introduction- one line at most!

EXAMPLE: With the constant questioning of the amount of influence electronics have on children.

Step 2. What is it called, who is the article by, where did it come from, and when? What is the formof the piece? Simple analysis and introduction of elements so easily attainable by reading the piece. I suggestyou scribble it on the side of the piece so you dont get confused. The form of the piece is what itis- e.g. Opinion, Editorial, Article, Review, etc.

EXAMPLE: Susie OBrien, a columnist from the Herald Sun.............. OBriens opinion piece, Rough-house play could rescue children from their screen-habit (Herald Sun, Friday, 24th June, 2011).

Step 3. What does the author contend? What is the tone of the piece? Who isWhen one contends, they are sharing their point-of-view (position, in appropriate metalanguage)-their contention. The tone is how it stylistically feels. Better analysis integrate the two points inone or so sentences. Also, if stuck, you can embed part of the direct contention in the opinionpiece directly into your analysis.

EXAMPLE: Albeit the presence of various tones throughout the piece, OBrien, in a concerned, yetslightly light-hearted tone, contends that children are so switched onto screens, advocating to heraudience, parents her age, that a rough-housing approach to beating their screen-habit.

FULL EXAMPLE OF INTRODUCTION:

With the constant questioning of the amount of influence electronics have on children (Context/Background), Susie OBrien(Author), a columnist from Melbournes Herald Sun contends that

children are so switched onto screens (Contention), implying an addiction through the use of ametaphor. OBriens opinion piece (Form)Rough-house play could rescue children from their screenhabit (Herald Sun, Friday, 24th June, 2011), in an overall concerned, yet slightly light-hearted tone,advocating to her audience, parents(Audience), that a rough-housing approach is the best way to beatthe alluded screen habit.

N.B. You may have noticed that my introduction does not follow the conformitiesof the suggested structure. You can puzzle your introduction in any way youwish!

Unlike a text response, you dont need to have reference to the points youll make in the main-bodyparagraph at the end of the conclusion!


3/6


4/6

4 Conclusion

So, youve written about 500 words of analytical commentary on a piece thats probably half of that, butfull of techniques from clichs, assonance, alliteration, hyperbole, exclusive language and connotations.

But, for someone that is totally oblivious to the devices used when reading the column, what does it allmean?

Youre conclusion ties everything up, wraps everything together and can really up your overall grade.

This section of the essay gets you to consider how the persuasive strategies reflect and support theauthors intentions. That is how all the strategies youve written about work together to persuade thereader to take up the authors position.

The conclusion is best filled with conclusive words and phrases like:

- All of these...... - Together, the techniques......Your intention, through the conclusion, is to leave no doubt that your analysis is undoubtedlyaccurate.

Good conclusions start off with a catch-up of the overall/most-common techniques, for example:

In conclusion, technical elements of the piece like inclusive language, rhetorical questions and appeals toauthority (to name a few)......

Then go to the overall effect, whilst referencing the tone and the authors contention. for example:

...... work in lieu to position the intended demographic, parents, into following OBriens general

postulation suggesting that children are too switched on to screens.

Here, you continue to place emphasis on the effects, while bringing in the final, punchy line.

By appealing to these parents through references to their childhood, and growing up, OBrien is causingthe alluded placement of parents into a state of spontaneity, joy and improvisation- not only rough-

housing their addicted children, but themselves as well.

EXAMPLE CONCLUSION: (Please note that this is shorter than what is expected)

In conclusion, technical elements of the piece like inclusive language, rhetorical questions and appeals toauthority work in lieu to position the intended demographic, parents, into following OBriens generalpostulation suggesting that children are too switched on to screens. By appealing to these parentsthrough references to their childhood, and growing up, OBrien is causing the alluded placement ofparents into a state of spontaneity, joy and improvisation- not only rough-housing their addicted children,but themselves as well.

N.B. Do not introduce new techniques, ideas or analysis- just summarise whatyou have done, keeping what you wrote in the introduction in mind!


5/6

5 Final Notes + Your Turn!

Youve made it! Done, and ready to go. Before you sprint, take these into account:

1. SERIOUSLY, DONT MAKE ANY MENTION OF YOUR OPINION!This, perhaps, is one of the most difficult things to do- you may even being doing it withoutknowing. Not only is using I a form of sharing your opinion, but, saying words like successfully,positively, negatively also makes clear what you think.

2. 5 PARAGRAPHS= 65 Minutes - Introduction (10 Minutes) - M.B. 1 (15 Minutes) - M.B. 2 (15 Minutes) - M.B. 3 (15 Minutes) - Conclusion (10 Minutes) - Reading Time (10 Minutes) - Use this to make note of techniques, tone, contention- NO WRITING!!!3. YOUR ABILITY TO READ, ANNOTATE AND HIGHLIGHT IS WHAT WILL GET YOU

AN A+. PRACTICE ANALYSING PIECES!! You cannot write a full-blown, professional and coherent language analysis without deepunderstanding of the piece. Its like starting a BBQ without coal.

4. DONT JUST POP QUOTES IN. WARM THEM UP BY EMBEDDING THEM!!5. HAVE FUN DOING IT! WHEN CAN YOU CRITIQUE A PUBLISHED AUTHOR?!?!Your Turn

1. Find two pieces, for and against, on the issue of Same-Sex Marriage. Annotate andhighlight them, and then identify the contention and tone.

2. Either use the piece Rough-house play could rescue children from their screenhabit or this piece: http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/mirandadevine/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/its_a_myth_conception,and write a full-blown A+Language Analysis with this, or any other structure you prefer. Use the simplechecklist in Step 3, and evaluate your work.

Good Luck!

The Rough-house play could rescue children from their screen habit is on thenext page.
http://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/mirandadevine/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/its_a_myth_conceptionhttp://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/mirandadevine/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/its_a_myth_conceptionhttp://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/mirandadevine/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/its_a_myth_conceptionhttp://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/mirandadevine/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/its_a_myth_conceptionhttp://blogs.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/mirandadevine/index.php/dailytelegraph/comments/its_a_myth_conception


6/6

vce language analysis how to

Documents