LANGUAGE BOOKLET

ACTIVITY ONE
Write an analytical paragraph of the emotive language used in the
extract, Poor scamp was found starving, shivering and shaking in a
cardboard box. He is still small for his age and needs constant medical
attention.
Although the reader does not know exactly what creature is being talked about in the
extract, be it a baby, a kitten or a puppy, the extreme emotive language produces strong
feelings of sympathy and affection, due to adjectives such as starving, shivering and
shaking. The sibilance of these words, which are arranged in a group of three to run
nicely off the tongue, creates emphasis on these words to accentuate the poor condition
in which the poor scamp is in, and the effect of sibilance rather than normal alliteration
is that the hissing softens the words, and they create a gentle image of a poor creature in
the readers mind, for who they automatically feel even more sorry for. The colloquial
word scamp is an affectionate term that tries to manipulate the reader into also feeling
affectionate for this creature. An idea of the poor scamp also being small for his age
pulls on readers heartstrings because small and delicate beings are often considered
cute, and this means the creature must be a child or baby. Mothering instincts are
exploited here to gain the readers sympathy, and when the article mentions constant
medical attention, which highlights the injustices and pain he has suffered, it triggers
emotional feelings for this being from any reader, because it shows the small poor
scamp has been hurt.

ACTIVITY TWO
Why should a writer choose to use colloquial language?
Colloquial language is an imitation of everyday speech, and is often used to create a
conversational and informal atmosphere. Colloquial phrases are more personal and
intimate, whereas sophisticated language and standard form English conveys stature,
respect, formality and distance. If a writer wanted to show the relationship of on
character with another, they would vary the formality of language. For example, if the
character was talking to a stranger or person of authority, they would use formal
language, but when talking to their friends, they would use colloquial language, which
shows they are emotionally closer to their friends, without having to explicitly state it to
the reader. A newspaper may use colloquial language in a persuasive or entertaining
article in order to make it feel more personal to the reader.
Identify the colloquial expressions in the extracts, You need to pull a
bird if you want to impress the lads, and He was way out of order!
How is the reader meant to respond?
The first extract uses a colloquial term of bird to refer to a woman, which can be seen as
a derogatory term. The reader may respond as being wary of the speaker, or slightly
offended, because he preaches the idea of getting a bird with the sole reason of
impressing the lads, meaning friends. This shows a negative and flippant view towards

women, regarding them only as eye candy that should be shown off for their
appearance and to stimulate the ego of an immature man, in order to ensure their fragile
sense of masculinity is upheld.
The second extract uses the phrase way out of order, meaning a person was in the
wrong. This suggests the personality of the speaker is relaxed and talking to a friend
about an incident, or is angry, as suggested by the exclamation mark, and has lost
respect for a person of authority such as a police officer who has come to investigate
suspicious or unlawful activity.

ACTIVITY THREE
What impression is created by the following simile? How does it create
this impression?
Janes efforts to cheer Tom up were as fruitless as the Sahara Desert.
The simile conveys to the reader that Janes efforts to cheer up Tom have absolutely no
impact on him. The Sahara Desert is almost completely devoid of life, let alone suitable
for fruit to grow. Therefore the simile uses he pun on the term fruitless, which also
means failing to achieve desired results, to show that Tom is so upset and unhappy that
Jane may as well not even try to cheer him up, as her efforts will be wasted.
How effective is the following metaphor? Explain your answer.
His face was a snowfield of fear.
I do not think that is metaphor is very effective, due to the choice of the word snowfield.
A snowfield is a wide area of snow, and because snow is white, it means that his face was
pale with fear, showing he must be terrified. However I do not think this is a very
effective metaphor, as a snowfield is not a commonly used term. The simile as white as
a sheet is a more common way to say this idea. A word that seems more threatening
than snowfield, be it connotative of death or terror, or a word that uses a plosive in order
to give it a more violent sound, would be more effective.

ACTIVITY FOUR
Write a paragraph analysing the biased language in this extract:
Coldplay are simply the best band to come out of this country since The
Beatles. They have produced hit after hit on a regular basis, and perform
to huge sell-out crowds. Their music is distinctive and yet subtle grabs
you immediately and yet continues to offer new levels of creativity with
every subsequent listen.
This piece of text is biased because it does not give the full picture, presenting only one
point of view. The text ignores the fact that many other bands have performed to huge
sell-out crowds, and the use of the word huge would have a greater impact if it were
replaced with a figure, in order back up the writers claims. However, this figure would
then be able to be compared with figures from other artists. The writer also gives
importance to the face that they produce hit after hit, even though this is what is
expected of a band every popular band has produced hit after hit, with this not being
an exclusive trait to Coldplay. Once again, statistics are omitted when they could be
replacing the word regular to pinpoint exactly how often Coldplay releases a hit song.
The number of chart-topping songs Coldplay have actually released is also absent, giving
an unreliable view of the band. The final sentence is merely opinion, but is also extremely

vague about the makeup of their music, with distinctive yet subtle providing absolutely
no insight into the songs. The least this writer could do is mention a few of Coldplays
more famous songs, and describe particular features or the transition of how the bands
music style has changed across the years. Overall, the paragraph is completely useless
and cannot be used as praise for the band due to its lack of evidence and fact.

ACTIVITY FIVE
Example: We were stranded at the airport for 48 hours with no food,
which was just great.
The writer uses irony to express his frustration at having his/her
flight delayed for two days. When the writer says that being there for
forty eight hours with no food was just great, he/she actually means
the opposite that the lack of food added to their annoyance and
irritation. This use of irony gives the reader the impression that the
writer
Look at the above analysis of the extract and identify:

The point
The evidence
The explanation

Notice that the analysis explains why the irony is used; how it works in
the text; and begins to consider the overall effect on the reader.
Complete the final section of the analysis yourself.
Point, Evidence, Explanation
The writer uses irony to express his frustration at having his/her flight delayed for two
days. When the writer says that being there for forty eight hours with no food was just
great, he/she actually means the opposite that the lack of food added to their
annoyance and irritation. This use of irony gives the reader the impression that the
writer
may be trying to make fun of the situation and stay positive by creating a joke of it,
while inside they are extremely angry and frustrated at their situation. The reader will
also find the remark funny, but understand that the writer is annoyed at being stranded.

ACTIVITY SIX
Identify the superlatives in the extracts and comment on their usage in
creating a hyperbolic effect.
The most effective cleaner!
The cheapest prices in town!

ACTIVITY SEVEN
Fact: More people than ever own several debit cards. Fact: More people
than ever are in debt.

Identify the repetitive phases in the above extract. What is the effect of
the repetition? What point is being emphasised? How is the reader
expected to respond?
The repetitive phrases are Fact: More people than ever. The repetition of the word
fact ensures the reader believes the next statement. The repetition of the start of the
phrase (anaphora) of more people than ever with the different ending each time
accentuates the point more than saying there are more people currently than ever
before that own debit cards, and also more people than ever who are in debt. Making the
sentences short and to the point drive the emphasis home and aim to shock the reader
into believing whole-heartedly.
Why do writers employ repetition?
Writers will use repetition to emphasise a particular word, phrase or idea. Often, the
writer will use repetition of a word because they want the reader to remember it or
because it is important. In a discussion or complicated conversation or speech, repetition
of a single idea or phrase (such as in Martin Luther King Jrs I Have A Dream speech) in
order to make it easier to follow along. Repetition also provides a sense of rhythm,
especially when used with the same sentence structure. Sometimes writers even use
repetition so that the closing image of a story mirrors the opening, providing a cyclic
structure that can be used to express symbolism of ideas such as the circles of life.

ACTIVIY EIGHT
Make a list of discourse markers to link ideas and paragraphs.
Therefore, however, consequently, on the other hand, surprisingly, what is more,
furthermore, in addition, conversely, moreover, firstly, secondly, finally, in conclusion, to
conclude, in summary, all things considered, to begin with, lastly, on top of that, for a
start, while, whereas, nevertheless, in spite of this, yet, still, similarly, certainly, even so,
nonetheless, all the same, on the contrary, in addition to, as well as this, on the whole,
broadly speaking, for instance, for example, due to, as a result of
Why are discourse markers essential to the structure of texts?
Discourse markers show the connection between what has already been written or said
and what follows on from that. They can be used to focus, to clarify, to contrast, to
change a subject, or to show agreement or disagreement. They are essential in order to
structure points and show how they link, to help a text flow.

ACTIVITY NINE
Write your own paragraph employing the use of triplets to emphasise
your points.
Work, work, work; thats all I ever do these days. I write letters, I type emails, I organise
papers. Day in, day out. Sometimes I like to pretend Im working for MI6, sorting out files
about evil masterminds; dashing agents; top-secret assignments but usually, Im bored
out of my mind, staring at a computer screen numbly while my fingers tap, tap, tap out
words automatically. I think Im turning into a machine. Honestly, I think Im losing my
mind a little bit. I think I need something more from life, not this stupid, stodgy and stale
secretarial work.

ACTVITY TEN

Term
Ambiguity

Definition
Being unspecific and
therefore open to
more than one
interpretation.

Example
Thou still
unravishd bride of
quietness, - Keatss
Ode to a Grecian
Urn

Effect
Still here may
mean an unmoving
object or it may be
interpreted as yet
unchanged. It
allows the reader to
make up their own
opinion.

Contrast

Two objects or ideas

are put in opposition
to one another.
Antithesis and
juxtaposition are types
of contrast.
Putting ideas down
one after the other.

The literal contrast

of the Black Swan
with the White Swan
in Swan Lake.

Emphasises the
differences between
them, and so makes
them look very
different.

They were
smashing, burning,
looting and
drinking.

Rhetorical
Questions

A question that either

does not need to be
answered, or is later
answered by the
reader.

So, how many

people here have
been catcalled by a
man? Well

Puns

A play on words.

Simple Sentences

One clause, one

subject.

He was going to
climb the snowcapped mountain,
but he got cold
feet!
It was raining.

Emphasises what
the writer is saying
and allows them to
lay all their ideas
out in detail.
The use of a
rhetorical question
in a speech,
presentation or
informal newspaper
article makes
readers want to
keep reading in
order to have the
question answered.
Lightens situations,
makes jokes,

Compound
Sentences

Two independent
clauses joined by a
connective.

I did my homework
and my brother
played on the
computer.

Complex
Sentences

Independent clause
joined by one or more

Even though I took

French because I

Listing

Can be used for

effect after longer
sentences. Isolating
a certain phrase
brings attention to
it.
Can exaggerate an
idea, or can link
points together to
describe something
in more depth.
Can be used to
make one point very

Imperative

Alliteration

Anecdotes

dependent clauses.

didnt know what

other option to do, I
found it very
interesting.

A sentence that gives

advice or instructions,
or expresses a
command or a
request.
When the first sounds
of each word start the
same. Different kinds
of alliteration include
sibilance (for s), and
consonance is linked
to alliteration.
Little stories that
someone may add to
embellish a point.

Charmer, use your

charm, weave a
spell and subdue
me. Ghazal by
Mimi Khalvati
Horrid Henry went
to Moody Margarets
house.

Quotations

Pulling other sources

into your text.

Contradictions

Paradoxes and
oxymorons are types
of contradictions. They
contradict themselves
in order to open the
mind of the reader.

Dont drink booze

on the ski trip. One
year, some kids
snuck out to the
supermarket and
bought what they
thought was cider. It
was actually 1%
medicinal cider for
constipation they
missed 3 days of
skiing, and regretted
breaking the rules
considerably. Mr
Deans.
Mayor Shirley Cliffe
said, I just dont
understand it.

I can resist
anything but
temptation. Oscar
Wilde.

detailed, and using

all three types of
sentence together
results in a flowing
piece of text.
Imperatives can be
used for persuasion
and manipulative
techniques.
Alliteration can be
used to draw
attention to
particular phrases
as well as give
rhythm in prose as
well as poetry.
Sometimes used in
an informal context
to add humour, but
in doing so
emphasises the
point. May provide
further evidence
about the point i.e.
a rule, followed by
an anecdote to
illustrate why you
should not do it, so
you remember the
point.
Can be used to
incorporate peoples
views into
newspaper articles
to provide more
evidence or an
insight into how
people are affected
by an incident.
Paradoxes are
statements that
appear to be selfcontradictory but
are in fact used to
make the reader
think over an idea in
a fresh and
innovative way.
Oxymorons can
create a humorous
or confused effect,

Inference

Understanding
something not
explicitly stated;
logical deductions
made based on
premises assumed to
be true.

It was after we
started with Gatsby
toward the house
that the gardener
saw Wilsons body a
little way off in the
grass, and the
holocaust was
complete.
I never wanted to
believe that my dad
was stealing from
his job as a road
worker. But when I
got home, all the
signs were there.

Humour

Being amusing or
comical. Black
humour, irony, satire.

Jargon

Jargon is when writers

use specific phrases of
specialized terms in a
particular situation or
profession that are
used to convey hidden
meanings that are
understood in that
particular field.

The complaint
sought damages
and various forms of
equitable relief,
including an
injunction barring
the defendants from
continuing the
program.

Statistics

Numbers and
evidence that back up
your points.

Tabloid
Newspaper
Language

Colloquial language,
lots of puns,
neologisms,
hyperbole, alludes
frequently to
celebrities and sex.

Did you know that

244 teenagers have
been shot in
Chicago since
Michael Brown was
murdered?
Kids TV Gets
Touchy-Feely

and are a
combination of
adjectives and
nouns with
contrasting
meanings.
After reading this
line, the reader will
simultaneously
understand that
Gatsbys life has
ended.

Humour can be used

to mock a certain
character, to diffuse
a tense situation, to
show a
characteristic of a
person if used in
their speech,
essential in comedy.
Jargon in literature is
used to emphasise a
situation or refer to
something exotic to
the readers or
audience. It is used
to make characters
seem more realistic
due to their
knowledge of
professions.
Adds emphasis to
points and also
makes them
reliable.

Relaxed effect,
makes it more
personal from the
readers
perspective, may
cater towards a less
upper-class market,
tries to make a
scandal out of
everything.