•
• Identifying contentions • Use of tone • Style • Effects of persuasive techniques • Analysis and annotation of cartoons • How to structure a LANGUAGE ANALYSIS essay.
• 3 main questions:
– What is the writer saying? – How is the writer saying it? – How is it persuasive?
Formal Informal Declarative Poetic Colloquial Polished Descriptive Rambling Casual Tightly structured
NB: THESE ARE NOT NECESSARILY IN THE RIGHT COLUMNS. DECIDE WHICH TERM SHOULD BE IN WHICH COLUMN.
• Definition: A contention is a statement of the main idea being argued or debated in a text. It simultaneously pinpoints the issue being discussed and presents a line of argument with which the writer wants you to agree.
• Read each of the following contentions and decide whether they are successful or unsuccessful by denoting them with either a tick or a cross:
1. “Education coupled with legislation is required to ensure the immunization of all the Australian children.” 2. “There are many aspects to euthanasia that we must consider and it is not a simple question. While some believe it is bad and takes away the value of human life others believe it is humane and sympathetic.” 3. “Those people who are against the Wilson’s Promontory development are just too eco-snobs who want to keep the place all to themselves.” 4. “Whilst cloning may signify scientific advancement, it also represents a perilous step into an ethical wilderness.”
5. “Police kill too many people in this country.”
6. “Commercially developing our National Parks will endanger their survival.”
Re-define the poor contentions that you identified so that they are clear yet specific. The tone of a piece of writing shows the writer’s attitude to, or feelings about their subject matter. One way of identifying tone is to read the article aloud. If the tone is aggressive, you will find this quality becoming evident in your voice as you read; but if a piece of writing is composed and calm, then you should find that your voice also sounds calm and even. Tone is important because the writer will deliberately select particular words and phrases to encourage you to feel just as they do about the issue, or about certain individuals or viewpoints. Sometimes, the writer can shift the tone of their piece halfway through their article. For example, the writer may begin with a hopeful, optimistic tone but then finish in a serious or earnest way to emphasise the urgency of taking immediate action. Positive Negative Neutral Appreciative Aggressive Bland Approving Angry Arrogant Calm Assured Formal Bullying Forthright Conciliatory Disparaging Matter-of-fact Enthusiastic Hostile Exuberant Measured Pessimistic Business like Lively Bitter Optimistic Dispassionate • Yesterday’s mid year budget update marks the official start of the protected economic downturn the financial market meltdown has spawned. The update doesn’t undermine the argument Australia has better than average defences, but it makes it clear having better defences is not the same thing as being safe.
• “As the death toll from Victoria’s darkest day kept climbing, survivors wondered how they lived while loved ones and friends died.”
Key Words……………………………………………….
Tone ……………………………………………………….
• “Australia’s employment outlook has deteriorated, with job advertisements collapsing to a 36 month low and businesses reporting weaker employment expectations than at any time during the 1991 recession.”
Key Words……………………………………………….
Tone ……………………………………………………….
Radio at its worst: rape revealed on air Posted by: Derryn Hinch for 3AW.com.au | 29 July, 2009 - 4:55 PM
Tone Before I start talking about what I consider to be one of the most disgusting, appalling, even reprehensible, pieces of radio I have ever heard… let me say I usually resent the expression shock jock for radio presenters and commentators. I hate being described that way. But boy, it certainly applies to what happened to the Kyle and Jackie O breakfast show on Fox FM – known as 2Day FM – in Sydney. Apparently one of their stunts is to hook somebody up to a lie detector machine and get a partner or mother or sister or friend to ask them questions. Today they had a mother grilling her 14-year-old daughter about her sex life. And in that interview broadcast live the 14- year-old reveals she was raped when she was 12. Now, the mother has a lot to answer for too but Kyle Sandilands proves what an insensitive, Neanderthal boofhead he is. And I think you’ll agree when you hear his reaction. The obviously traumatized girl looks at her mother and says ‘don’t look at me and smile because it’s not funny’. The mother admits she knew about the rape and then lies and tries to justify the shock question by saying ‘the question was, have you had sex other than that?’ Which was not true. Jackie O at least apologises and tries to shut down the whole disaster but look at this ignoramus – Kyle Sandilands. A girl tells him she was raped as a 12-year-old. Any normal, semi-intelligent, sensitive, caring adult would have reacted by saying something like: ‘I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. This has got out of control. Turn off the microphone. Are you OK. Let’s get a counsellor in here.’ No, not meathead Sandilands. She says: I got raped when I was 12- years-old. And he says: ‘Right. And is that the only experience you’ve had? I mean, it was only a rape. In Sandi’s land. That doesn’t really count. Tell us some real juicy stuff. Even if you are under age and it’s against the law and your mother doesn’t care. This is truly vile.
1. “The father of the victim of a brutal nightclub attack has spoken of his family’s agony as his brain-dead son lies locked in a silent coma.”
The tone of the piece is ______The reader’s main emotion is likely to be______The emotive words include______and positions the reader to feel______
2. “Graffiti louts stick up city”
The tone of the piece is ______The reader’s main emotion is likely to be______Overstatement and exaggeration are used to encourage the reader to feel ______3. “Babies switched at birth meet 56 years later.”
The tone of the piece is ______The reader’s main emotion is likely to be______Telling a brief story has the effect of ______
4. “Is it right that a poor person who steals a loaf of bread to feed the family is subject to stiffer penalties than someone who swindles billions of dollars from unsuspecting shareholders.”
The tone of the piece is ______The reader’s main emotion is likely to be______This rhetorical question has the effect of______
5. “Bullies with bad attitudes: Melbourne’s ticket inspectors.”
The tone of the piece is ______The reader’s main emotion is likely to be______Using a generalisation about ticket inspectors positions the reader to feel ______
Identify whether the following persuasive techniques are appealing primarily logic (L) or emotion (E)
Using facts and statistics L E Exaggeration L E Confronting or offensive language L E Sensationalism L E Emotional Appeals L E Appeals to reason L E Humour L E Presenting a balanced argument L E Attacking the opposition L E Drawing offering practical solutions L E
• An attack works by denigrating (‘putting down’) an opponent or an idea. Attacks seek to humiliate, insult and embarrass. Moreover, attacks frequently target people rather than the people rather than the ideas they are associated with, suggesting unsatisfactory associations with undesirable groups or individuals. Attacks tend to draw attention away from reasoned argument because the process of attacking works by forceful assertion and insistent claims that are not usually supported with evidence . Attacks often sound dismissive as they discredit opponents, deeming them unreliable, dishonest and unqualified.
• Clichés are overused expressions, often colloquial and easily recognizable by readers. Authors frequently use clichés as ‘comforters’, making their articles more ‘reader friendly’. Readers feel relaxed with expressions they are familiar with. Clichés are often called upon when writers want to convey meanings and emotions quickly. They offer convenient ‘shortcuts’ and are often used in headlines to grab attention. However, clichés have a tendency to adversely affect the overall quality of the writing, all too often boring readers and failing to alerts them to the seriousness of the issues being discussed.
• Read the following attack. What is its aim? How is it typical? “______was a terrorist who killed policemen. I am disgusted that there is an exhibition for this criminal who sanctioned murder, theft and thuggery.” • To whom do you think it is referring? • Finish these clichés and write down their meanings
1. As fit as a ______2. Turn over a new ______3. The______is on the wall 4. Take ______of the situation 5. An ______battle 6. Put one’s ______in order 7. Head in the ______8. The ______calling the______black 9. On the back______10. ______the rewards
• Write down as many clichés that you know of. ( at least 5 more) • Cartoons use a combination of images and text to provide a humorous viewpoint on an issue. • Cartoons: usually identify the ironic or ridiculous aspects of the issue • Often demonstrate a very strong opinion on the issue • Often ridicule public figures or political decisions • May draw attention to an overlooked point of view • Can be very subversive
•
• What is the main point of the cartoon? If it isn’t clear immediately, return to this after further analysis. • Give information about the context of the cartoon. What is the issue being represented? • Note the central figures/ characters. What are they doing or saying? How are they represented? • Is there a caption? Dialogue? Are other words used? What do they add and how do they persuade? What is their significance? • What is significant about the background of the cartoon?
Faceless girl, represents Jackie O with empty powerlessness look represents Explosion represents uselessness. “Oh Kyle the media backlash; Comment highlights you’re so” the situation blowing stupidity of ideas (idiotic/barbie doll up in his face image)
Comment provides evidence of Character of cartoonists Kyle implies point of view Neanderthal qualities (blank look, no neck etc)
Jackie O positioned at the side of the cartoon to identify Kyle as the main instigator
WHAT? HOW? WHY? WHEN YOU ARE READING, YOU SHOULD… To ask questions as you read the article. WHAT IS THE WRITER •Identify the main contention. SAYING? •List or highlight the supporting arguments. HOW IS IT SAID? •Write a few key words down to describe the tone and style of the article. WHY IS IT •Highlight the persuasive techniques, words and phrases used. PERSUASIVE? •Consider why some of the highlighted words and techniques are persuasive. •Think about how the words, phrases and techniques make you feel. •How do these words, phrases and techniques help to persuade you agree with the writer? •How do these persuasive elements reinforce what the writer is saying and their purpose in saying it? HOW EFFECTIVE IS IT? •Do you find the piece has influenced the your thoughts on the subject? How/why is it effective? • Rewrite the main contention in your own words • List the supporting points or argument in your words • Select the persuasive language and techniques • Select some examples- including brief quotations, to analyse and use as evidence
Text and writer…………………………………………………………………
Text Type, source and date:……………………………………………………………..
Introduction Introduce the topic or issue. State the writer’s main CONTENTION ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Identify the main TONE used…………………………………………………………………….. BODY PARAGRAPHS = ANALYSIS OF PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES Develop several paragraphs, each with well-supported key points. Use TEEL to develop your paragraphs as shown below. T Paragraph 1: Point one of your analysis E Examples and evidence E Explanation L Link examples to the main points (topics sentence) and make it link to your next paragraph
Conclusion: Summary and close •Sum up the writer’s contention:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… •Summarise the EFFECTIVENESS of the techniques used to convey this point of view ………………………………………………… •
• • • The body of your analysis is made up of a series of paragraphs in which you identify and explain how persuasive techniques and language are used to present a point of view by using examples and quotes.
Sentence starters. example……………….., influences us Persuasive Techniques: to accept……………….. • By introducing a controversial Language Style: example, the writer positions us • The fast paced and colloquial style to……… immediately draws the reader • The use of colourful language into……………. predisposes us to………….. • By addressing us informally, the • With a series of rhetorical questions writer establishes a sense of the author aims to appeal to…...... intimacy that……… • The connotations of the • The writer uses a relaxed style and word/phrase ……….have the effect numerous familiar examples that of…………………………. position the audience to engage • Highly emotive language, for with………………….. To make a To make an To expand on a To show a logical similar point opposing point point progression Similarly … By contrast … Furthermore … Therefore … Likewise … On the other Moreover … As a result … hand … In the same However … In addition … Consequently … way… Equally … In comparison … For example … Thus …
So to … Whereas … For instance … For this reason …
An introduction that identifies the author, the title of the piece, the title of the publication and the date of the publication. Identification and discussion of the main contention in the article. A discussion of the tone of the article, including where and why the tone changes (if it does) Clear explanations of how each persuasive technique that you have identified positions or affects the reader in a particular way. A conclusion that summarises your explorations and completes your piece of writing.