Language features unit

Language Features

• Finding language features in different texts and analysing why they've been used is an important part of this programme. There are lots of different language features that are commonly used, and they all perform a range of different functions. This unit will introduce some of these to you and test your current knowledge of them.
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Using language for a purpose

• Language features are often used to invoke a response in the reader. The responses vary depending on the feature. Some popular ones include to describe, to persuade, to excite, to intrigue, to suggest, to convince. There are loads of others too.
• Language features are sometimes called "language techniques" or "language devices" but all refer to the same thing. The video on the right introduces some common language features with some real world examples - check it out.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_pxfifB6Co (Embed)

DAFOREST

• There are certain strategies out there that you can use to try and remember these language features. One of the more popular ones is the acronym DAFOREST. Each letter of DAFOREST represents an important language feature.
• Can you remember them all? Use the flashcards on the right to test your own knowledge, as well as one of your classmates
• DAFOREST Language Technique flashcards

Advertising

• Advertising loves using language features - you'll rarely find an advert that doesn't use some kind of language devices. This is because they're so good at convincing of certain ideas and opinions, even if they're not always true!
• Have a go at the language features quiz on the right. You'll need to identify which language features have been used in each advert from a choice of three.
• Remember too, there's more to Langauge Features than just DAFOREST - goo.gl/2bnmQd
• Language features advertisment quiz

Locating language features in text

• Check out the image on the right hand side. It's an example from an AQA GCSE English exam paper, like what you'll get on exam day.
• Using your knowledge of language features try to find some examples in the image. Make notes on paper. Once you've found a technique:
• make a note of the quote it's from
• write down what you think the effect of that feature might be on the audience
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• Caption: Taken from GCSE English new spec Paper 1 (2016)