Analysing Lanuage

Analysing Lanuage

1. Language Features

   • Alliteration
     • This is where consecutive words begin with the same letter and, more importantly, the same sound.
   • Onomatepea
     • This is where a word makes the sound of the thing it describes.
   • Simile
     • A simile is a comparison where one thing is described as something else, using 'like' or 'as'.
   • Metaphor
     • This is a comparison where one thing is described in terms of something else.
   • Personification
     • This is a comparison where something non-human (inanimate) is described in human terms.

2. Sentence Structure

   • Repitition
     • When single words, or groups of words, are repeated.
   • Lists
     • If a list is present, look at the order in which the points are listed. If they lead up to the most important item at the end, there is a build-up to a climax.
   • Sentence Length
     • Short sentences may be used to build up tension. Longer sentences may be used for explanation.
   • Sentence Types
     • Questions and rhetorical questions might be used. An exclamation such as How amazing! can be used to indicate a strong emotional reaction.
   • Inversion
     • Where the normal word order is reversed, usually in order to place emphasis on a particular word.
   • Contrast
     • Individual words or groups of words can be placed side by side – in juxtaposition – to stress the contrast between ideas.
   • Parenthesis
     • Where extra information is included in the middle of a sentence, contained within dashes, brackets or commas.
   • Elipses
     • Where three dots (...) are used to indicate something more could be added.
   • Punctuation
     • Punctuation is often key to sentence structure. There are many possibilities for punctuation that can help you with sentence structure. A colon (:) or single dash (-) can be used to introduce an idea, a list or an explanation. A semi-colon (;) may show contrast in the ideas before and after. Use of question marks is always worth consideration. Questions may be rhetorical, but not always

3. Word Choice and Tone

   • Word Choice
     • When considering the language used by a writer, you can think of another word or expression the writer could have used. This will then allow you to compare the word used against an alternative and consider what the advantage was of using the word selected for the text. Think about the connotations of the word – in other words, what do you associate it with? For example, ‘slender’, ‘slim’, ‘thin’, ‘lean’ and ‘skinny’ may all have similar meanings but their connotations can be either negative or positive. If asked to comment on the writer's use of one of these words, thinking about the connotations will help you come up with a suitable comment. Another approach is to consider if the words used are informal or formal. A popular technique is to use a mixture of the two. You should also think about the effect produced by the sound of words, through the use of techniques such as alliteration and onomatopoeia.
   • Tone
     • Tone refers to the attitude that a writer conveys towards a subject. A writer may be passionately for or against a particular topic and express this through various means. It could be that emotional language is used - this is known as an emotive tone. Humour can be applied either affectionately or mockingly. Other kinds of tone you may encounter in a piece of writing include light-hearted, ironic, sarcastic, angry, gloomy, anxious, joyful or sorrowful.