Help - use of metalanguage in text response

[Sarinamfgh]

The text we are doing at school is No Sugar and since the use of metalanguage in an essay is very important as stated by VCAA, I'd like to know how to incorporate the use of metalanguage by an author, in a text response essay.

It would be terrific if examples related to the text are provided, otherwise anything that can show how this concept would be used, is highly appreciated.

Thank You

[teacher28]

The author doesn't use metalanguage.

The author employs constructs (literary devices, sensory appeals, descriptive language, and in this case, theatrical elements including stage directions) and structures which you analyse using metalanguage.

For example, "the notion that the indigenous people are primitive is reflected through the motif of cleanliness which is given symbolic attention in the play..."