Basics Of Analysing Language

Writing About Language

If you`re reading an unseen text for English Language or bringing in quotes to prove your thesis in a Literature essay, you`ll need a basic structure to build on. After choosing an array of killer quotes and planning your essay, you`re ready to argue your point.

A simple structure my students use is WHAT? HOW? WHY? So, which one of these three are most often used in family disagreements? Yes, why. Those parents/guardians need to justify their unreasonable demands to clear up the `floordrobe` or ration crisps in the `offering cupboard`. It`s the same for language analysis and iWHY? is where the most marks lie.

USE W?H?W? A to answer language questions (statement + quotation+ analysis)

For example: Statement/Point linked to question stem: e.g. WHAT? The writer uses violent verbs to describe the destructive impact of the storm. HOW? The writer uses the verb lashing WHY? This onomatopoeia suggests the ferocious nature of the wind and rain as the trees are battered and damaged.

See how the writer uses a wide variety of adjectives in their analysis - "violent", "destructive", "ferocious", "battered" and "damaged". (See my wonderful word wheel in another post). Also, see how sneaky bits of terminology are grafted into the argument - "verb" and "onomatopoeia". This is a potent concoction.

This analysis isn`t finished, though. You could go on to reader response or author`s ideas, but that will depend on what question you`re answering ask your teacher about the Assessment Objectives or AOs. Examiners really do want you to express your original point of view. As a marker, there`s nothing more dull than marking 50 essays saying exactly the same thing. So be creative, confident and have fun.

I hope this is helpful and remember, a `floordrobe` is the easiest method of displaying clothes.