Three-Way Language Analysis Introduction

[TheWackyCheese]

Hey everyone, I've been given a 3 articles along with 3 images for a Language Analysis. I have all the techniques and arguments under control but I'm having a bit of trouble with the introduction and how I should set it out. Would I just give a slight overview of the genre, audience, contention of each of the 3 articles and do I need to mention the images? It just seems like its going to be a rather lengthy introduction so I'm trying to find the best way of doing it to make it as clean and easy to read as possible. Thank you for any ideas!

[drake]

here is an example of mine for an introduction for two articles (so you can apply same format for three articles):

Recent controversy regarding the Australian educational system has prompted fiery debate as to whether a national curriculum for the entire nation should be implemented. Two opinion pieces offer contrasting views on the issue. In an article published in The Age on 28 March 2013, “Why should schooling change at every State border?” Stephen Buckle contends that a national curriculum must be introduced into all Australian schools. Conversely, an anonymous article published in The Herald Sun on 29 March 2013, “A SINGLE CURRICULUM IS NOT THE ANSWER”, argues that the national curriculum is necessary for the future of Australian education. An accompanying cartoon seems to endorse The Herald Sun’s view in its portrayal of the national curriculum as a robotic machine. The issue highlights the conflict between uniform education and society’s need for diversity in academic domains and beyond.

always, in the introduction, introduce each of the articles and the image and state their contention. however, i never wrote the tone/audience in the introduction and do not advise it (though many teachers do). tone and audience are part of analysis, so it would seem better to position them at the start of the first paragraph (you are not analysing in the introduction)!

[TheWackyCheese]

Thanks for the speedy reply, I think what you say makes sense. After all, it's only a practice piece so I'll write it, get feedback and see how I go 

[Stick]

This is how our school was taught to do it.

1. Initial introduction
- A one/two sentence paragraph that contextualises the issue and introduces the three texts you'll be analysing.

2. Introduction for text 1.
- Follow the ATTTACKDP structure, or write a normal introduction for your first piece.

3. Body paragraphs for text 1.
- Follow the TEEL structure, or write normal body paragraphs for your first piece.
Note: The number of paragraphs you write will depend on the amount of time you are allocated. For this assessment, I was given 90 minutes so I was able to write two body paragraphs for the first text.

4. Introduction for text 2.
- Briefly compare and contrast aspects of the first two texts. Highlighting similarities and differences in the contention, key arguments, tone and target audience is effective.
- Follow the ATTTACKDP structure, or write a normal introduction for your second piece.

5. Body paragraphs for text 2.
- Follow the TEEL structure, or write normal body paragraphs for your second piece.
Note: Generally speaking, your second text is much shorter than your main first text. Due to time constraints, I wrote one paragraph for the second text.

6. Introduction for text 3.
- If one piece is a visual, leave it until last.
- Briefly compare and contrast aspects of all three texts. Highlighting similarities and differences in the contention, key arguments, tone and target audience is effective.
- Follow the ATTTACKDP structure, or write a normal introduction for your third piece.

7. Body paragraphs for text 3.
- Follow the TEEL structure, or write normal body paragraphs for your third piece.
Note: My third piece was always a visual and due to time constraints, I wrote one body paragraph for this text.

8. Conclusion
- Briefly conclude your language analysis with a summary statement, or another contextualising sentence. It should sound fairly similar to your initial introduction.

Also, regarding the debate as to whether you should write a conclusion for your language analysis - VCAA stipulates that your response must be "coherently structured piece of prose" and a convention of an essay is that it has a conclusion. It doesn't have to be a very big one for a language analysis, but you should still write one nonetheless. Otherwise, some examiners (cough the ones at my school cough) would doubt if you really understand the proper structure of an essay for VCE English.

Hope this helps.

[TheWackyCheese]

That structure looks good Stick, do you have a practise piece or anything with that structure lying around? I have one opinion piece which I  will write two paragraphs on, then there are two shorter letters to the editor/editorials where I might just write a paragraph each.

[Stick]

Unfortunately I threw out all my English stuff at the end of last year. Sorry. :/

[TheWackyCheese]

haha don't worry, I'd probably do the same! Doesn't matter though because I'm well over halfway through, the structure you listed is working well.