Quick Tips on Language Analysis

[LOVEPHYSICS]

Since most of you guys are now preparing for the Language Analysis, I think it would be a good idea to make a short guide on it.

Introduction
This is fairly straightforward, just make sure you have done the following:
- a background issue.
- show that it is contentious.
- tone of the writer (Fluctuating tones should be mentioned in the body paragraphs).
- who is the writer targeting (specifically) /audience.
- Ensure that the contention of the writer is given.

Hints: The contention of the writer is off paramount importance, don't get it wrong. If you are unsure, read the article again and check the last paragraph. Usually, the writer would reinforce his/her contention in the last few sentences before ending. Don't be afraid to annotate your article and distinguish the main arguments.

Body
For each technique, make sure that:
- you have identified them.
- the point of using that technique, what is the technique arguing?
- Evidence, quote the article to show that you are not making it up.
- The intent upon the reader, through using that particular technique. This is extremely important. Do not generalise, it needs to be specific, don't simply re-quote the writer's contention.

Hints: Try to pick up the point where the writer shifts his tone. Coupled techniques- Appeals + rhetoric etcc

Conclusion
Pretty straightforward. I would recommend you not to evaluate. Just surmise what the writer is trying to do, sweeping generalisations to serve or influence readers into his position ...

Also, I would highly recommend you guys to read lynt.br's crash course on LA, its very detailed and well-written. Lots of examples to show you the difference between bad, good and superb analysis. Cheers.

Good luck class of 2011!

[taiga]

"-the point of using that technique, what is the technique arguing?
- Evidence, quote the article to show that you are not making it up.
- The intent upon the reader, through using that particular technique. This is extremely important. Do not generalise, it needs to be specific, don't simply re-quote the writer's contention."

these three points if dealt with well will get you a 8+ even if the rest of your essay is rubbish.

Some v nice tips though!

[m@tty]

these three points if dealt with well will get you a 8+ even if the rest of your essay is rubbish.

That's because that IS language analysis. The intro/conclusion are of minimal importance really.

But yeah, nice tips

[man0005]

hey guys,

just wondering with this format, how many techniques (body paragraphs) would you advise we write in an essay

[chrisjb]

For each technique, make sure that:
- you have identified them.
- the point of using that technique, what is the technique arguing?
- Evidence, quote the article to show that you are not making it up.
- The intent upon the reader, through using that particular technique. This is extremely important. Do not generalise, it needs to be specific, don't simply re-quote the writer's contention.

I don't understand this... do you mean a line like 'this is aimed at evoking a sense of passion in the reader'? What is the difference between that and your 4th dotpoint?

[m@tty]

Sometimes, the affect intended by the writer is not the only one possible.. the 2nd point would be the positive affect only(with respect to the writer's intention of course not necessarily positive emotion... actually in these kind of articles t is predominantly negative), while the 4th point could include a number of different reactions in different subsets of the audience (eg. the use of the pejorative term  ____  distances ____ group blablahblah; labelling hard-working lower class citizens as bogans ostracises members of the readership who consider themselves part of such a group.. )

There is a subtle difference.. But you don't want to overuse it in your essay--only mention it when a key part of the audience will be offended by word selection/phrasing/whatever.. But it does show a sophisticated and detailed reading of the text.

[cltf]

Other tips. A good analysis, uses linking words to increase coherence, quote phrases from the article as much as possible.
Other things you can do is, instead of using the word TONE, you can say the writer HARSHLY condemns.., or demeanor, approach and manner are words you can use to replace the word tone.
Be as concise as possible.
Remember, the contention is not the issue, usually it is much broader.

[chrisjb]

Sometimes, the affect intended by the writer is not the only one possible.. the 2nd point would be the positive affect only(with respect to the writer's intention of course not necessarily positive emotion... actually in these kind of articles t is predominantly negative), while the 4th point could include a number of different reactions in different subsets of the audience (eg. the use of the pejorative term  ____  distances ____ group blablahblah; labelling hard-working lower class citizens as bogans ostracises members of the readership who consider themselves part of such a group.. )

There is a subtle difference.. But you don't want to overuse it in your essay--only mention it when a key part of the audience will be offended by word selection/phrasing/whatever.. But it does show a sophisticated and detailed reading of the text.

Ok, so you've got the intended effect (of the writer) as well as the possible effects (from the audienec) which are numerous depending on the individual audience member.... Like 'Bolt uses coloquial language with the aim of presenting this issue in a simple, easily understood manner for his Audience... This use of coloquial language could, however, alienate some more learned readers of The Sun and counteract Bolt's original aim'
^something like that?

Edit: I know this is offtopic, but it still relates to english: Should the phrase read: 'This use of coloquial language could however, alienate some more learned readers' OR 'This use of coloquial language could, however, alienate some more learned readers ' OR 'This use of coloquial language could however alienate some more learned readers ' OR 'This use of coloquial language could; however, alienate some more learned readers '

[m@tty]

Yeah I suppose so.

This is only what I understood from her point form my work last year.

Also, I was a bit narrow-minded in the previous post.

point 2 would be the writer's intention while point 4 would be specific affect on different parts of the readership/audience (this time, not necessarily negative - sorry if I confuse haha)

Because certain words appeal to certain niche reader groups. So you comment on that. This you want to do a lot (and I'm sure you already do).

[chrisjb]

Yeah I suppose so.

This is only what I understood from her point form my work last year.

Also, I was a bit narrow-minded in the previous post.

point 2 would be the writer's intention while point 4 would be specific affect on different parts of the readership/audience (this time, not necessarily negative - sorry if I confuse haha)

Because certain words appeal to certain niche reader groups. So you comment on that. This you want to do a lot (and I'm sure you already do).

oh ok, makes sense. Thanks man.