How to Apparently get a 10/10 in Language Analysis

[Random_Acts_of_Kindness]

Hi guys.

I have been looking over the examiner's reports and I pulled out a few general criticisms for Language Analysis from the reports as well as from my own teacher's notes that I think everyone should take note of:

General Criticism of Introductions:
∼   Make certain that you are naming tones that are specific to the piece that you are describing.
∼   Try to avoid tones that are really general or that are overused: i.e. reasoned or formal.
∼   Avoid general repetition.
∼   Do not be too formulaic in you introduction, it should be short with minimal analysis of language, only tone, and so if any sentences have no added value, then omit them.

General Criticisms of Analysis:
∼   You need to quote everything that you analyse and analyse everything that you quote.
∼   Avoid using the word “emotive”, instead, identify the particular emotion and why it is elicited.
∼   Try to incorporate one instance of word-level analysis per paragraph.
∼   Be specific when referring to something.
∼   Do not make too many assumptions/opinionated statements.

General Criticisms of Conclusion:
∼   Do not do any further analysis of language or even tone. Analysis of greater overarching ideas may be warranted.
∼   Do not make too many assumptions/opinionated statements.

Let me know if you disagree.

Happy Studying. 

[walkec]

Hi guys.

I have been looking over the examiner's reports and I pulled out a few general criticisms for Language Analysis from the reports as well as my own teacher's notes that I think everyone should take note of:

General Criticism of Introductions:
∼   Make certain that you are naming tones that are specific to the piece that you are describing.
∼   Try to avoid tones that are really general or that are overused: i.e. reasoned or formal.
∼   Avoid general repetition.
∼   Do not be too formulaic in you introduction, it should be short with minimal analysis of language, only tone, and so if any sentences have no added value, then omit them.

General Criticisms of Analysis:
∼   You need to quote everything that you analyse and analyse everything that you quote.
∼   Avoid using the word “emotive”, instead, identify the particular emotion and why it is elicited.
∼   Try to incorporate one instance of word-level analysis per paragraph.
∼   Be specific when referring to something.
∼   Do not make too many assumptions/opinionated statements.

General Criticisms of Conclusion:
∼   Do not do any further analysis of language or even tone. Analysis of greater overarching ideas may be warranted.
∼   Do not make too many assumptions/opinionated statements.

Let me know if you disagree.

Happy Studying. 

With the "conclusion" as well, I tend to feel like there's a few examples of examiner's reports where the included LA's don't really have a typical conclusion. They more so sort of bring their analysis to a close naturally, without needing to restate the whole effect on the reader

[EspoirTron]

With the "conclusion" as well, I tend to feel like there's a few examples of examiner's reports where the included LA's don't really have a typical conclusion. They more so sort of bring their analysis to a close naturally, without needing to restate the whole effect on the reader

I can kind of vouche for this. I scored 19/20 for language analysis last year on the exam, and my conclusions were typically 2-3 sentences in length. I'm more than happy to put a general structure up that helped me, or what I did during reading time

[walkec]

I can kind of vouche for this. I scored 19/20 for language analysis last year on the exam, and my conclusions were typically 2-3 sentences in length. I'm more than happy to put a general structure up that helped me, or what I did during reading time

Please do!

[Yacoubb]

Could we say that a given linguistic technique renders the reader more likely to X? Would that be making an assumption? Because I'm saying 'likely' so would that account for this?

[literally lauren]

Could we say that a given linguistic technique renders the reader more likely to X? Would that be making an assumption? Because I'm saying 'likely' so would that account for this?

Yes, that's fine, but it tends to be about an overall technique (eg. appealing to fear is likely to elicit...) instead of a very specific linguistic technique (eg. this rhetorical question makes readers feel...) This second example belongs more in the body paragraphs.
What I found most helpful was to comment on broad dichotomies or equations and other major appeals. Refrain from quoting and don't go on for two long; the conclusion is just a closer, not many marks to be had there.

[Yacoubb]

Yes, that's fine, but it tends to be about an overall technique (eg. appealing to fear is likely to elicit...) instead of a very specific linguistic technique (eg. this rhetorical question makes readers feel...) This second example belongs more in the body paragraphs.
What I found most helpful was to comment on broad dichotomies or equations and other major appeals. Refrain from quoting and don't go on for two long; the conclusion is just a closer, not many marks to be had there.

Hey yeah I meant for this to be a part of the analysis. I'd say something along the lines of:

Having lavished the reader with an overlay of emotion, and likely elicited their sympathy for X, the writer provides a substantive platform for further discussion throught the incorporating of statistics. <Provide example of statistics>. In this way, the reader is more likely to credit the writer's argument, and protest against Y.

Thanks lauren!

[literally lauren]

Oh, my bad
Yeah, that's totally fine. Words like 'likely' or 'may' are preferable to the uber-definitive sort of analysis (eg. 'This WILL make readers think twice...' sounds a bit threatening)
Just don't overdo it and sound like you don't have the courage of your convictions when analysing. It sounds like you're on the right track though

[Yacoubb]

Oh, my bad
Yeah, that's totally fine. Words like 'likely' or 'may' are preferable to the uber-definitive sort of analysis (eg. 'This WILL make readers think twice...' sounds a bit threatening)
Just don't overdo it and sound like you don't have the courage of your convictions when analysing. It sounds like you're on the right track though

Sweet, thank you!

[EspoirTron]

Please do!

Okay no worries, I'll have a short guide up for LA by tomorrow evening
It won't be complex, just to help you guys in the final days before the exam!