iGCSE Edexcel English Language A Text analysis 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place"
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Technique: 1st person, present tense, technical climbing language
Effect on reader: 1st person: autobiographical, creates a feeling intimacy with the reader
present tense: happening now, creates feeling of immediacy, tension, excitement or apprehension because we don't know what happens
technical language-presents the writer as an expert to the reader; creates feeling he is an experience climber with a lot of knowledge.
Effect on reader: 1st person: autobiographical, creates a feeling intimacy with the reader
present tense: happening now, creates feeling of immediacy, tension, excitement or apprehension because we don't know what happens
technical language-presents the writer as an expert to the reader; creates feeling he is an experience climber with a lot of knowledge.
Quote: "I come to another drop-off"
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Technique: metaphor
Effect on reader: saying the stone is a refrigerator communicates its size and weight. This helps the reader to understand and visualise an experience that may be unknown to them.
Effect on reader: saying the stone is a refrigerator communicates its size and weight. This helps the reader to understand and visualise an experience that may be unknown to them.
Quote: "refrigerator chockstone"
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Technique: repetition of language referring to the confined spaces.
Effect on reader: choice of claustrophobia tells the reader how small and narrow the tunnel is.
This is layered with more references to the narrowing of the tunnel.
The repetition emphasises this to the reader and creates a worrying sense of being trapped,
Effect on reader: choice of claustrophobia tells the reader how small and narrow the tunnel is.
This is layered with more references to the narrowing of the tunnel.
The repetition emphasises this to the reader and creates a worrying sense of being trapped,
Quote: "claustrophobic" "slot" "narrows to a consistent 3 feet across"
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Technique: technical expertise, digression
Effect on reader: Second paragraph moves away from the subject of the first to explain technical details.
Again emphasises the writers technical expertise.
Making later accident seem unavoidable.
Effect on reader: Second paragraph moves away from the subject of the first to explain technical details.
Again emphasises the writers technical expertise.
Making later accident seem unavoidable.
Quote: "Sometimes in narrow passages like this one"
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5
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Technique: Direct address using 2nd person (you)
Effect on reader: Use of you shows the writer directly speaking to reader. Involves the reader in the experience and makes the reader more empathetic.
Effect on reader: Use of you shows the writer directly speaking to reader. Involves the reader in the experience and makes the reader more empathetic.
Quote: "You can imagine using it to climb up the inside of a chimney"
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Technique: metaphor
Effect on reader:comparing it to something the reader will probably have seen so they can imagine the size of the rock. Creates a more accurate picture in the readers mind.
Effect on reader:comparing it to something the reader will probably have seen so they can imagine the size of the rock. Creates a more accurate picture in the readers mind.
Quote: "A chock stone the size of a large bus tyre"
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Technique:future tense
Effect on reader: moving into future tense gives the reader the impression that the writer is trying to work out what to do next. It draws the reader into the decision making process and creates great tension. It feels like the reader is experiencing the accident with him
Effect on reader: moving into future tense gives the reader the impression that the writer is trying to work out what to do next. It draws the reader into the decision making process and creates great tension. It feels like the reader is experiencing the accident with him
Quote:"If I can step onto it then I'll have a non-foot height to descend"
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8
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Technique: Verb/word choice
Effect on reader: Using the word dangle gives the impression of precarious position. This creates a feeling of danger and suspense for the reader.
Effect on reader: Using the word dangle gives the impression of precarious position. This creates a feeling of danger and suspense for the reader.
Quote:"Ill dangle off the chockstone"
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Technique: present tense
Effect on reader: Use of present tense 'stemming' returns the passage to the present tense. Making it seem that we are experiencing the actions right now. This creates a dramatic, tense feeling.
Effect on reader: Use of present tense 'stemming' returns the passage to the present tense. Making it seem that we are experiencing the actions right now. This creates a dramatic, tense feeling.
Quote: "stemming across the canyon at the lip of the drop-off"
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10
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Technique: alliteration, adverb repetition
Effect on reader:Alliteration emphasises the words instantly and instinctively. This draws the readers attention to the writers reaction.
The choice of adverbs/words indicates the speed of the writers reaction.
This puts the reader in the writers position, adds to the feeling of tension.
Effect on reader:Alliteration emphasises the words instantly and instinctively. This draws the readers attention to the writers reaction.
The choice of adverbs/words indicates the speed of the writers reaction.
This puts the reader in the writers position, adds to the feeling of tension.
Quote: "Instantly, I know this is trouble, and instinctively I let go"
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Technique: personification, metaphor
Effect on reader: The falling stone is personified as something which eats up the sky above the writer. The image is aggressive and frightening. The stone has come to life and seems to be attacking him. This makes the accident seem even more horrifying.
Effect on reader: The falling stone is personified as something which eats up the sky above the writer. The image is aggressive and frightening. The stone has come to life and seems to be attacking him. This makes the accident seem even more horrifying.
Quote: "consumes the sky"
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12
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Technique: handling of time, similes, use of words with more syllables.
Effect on reader: the repeated references are used to show how the accident feels
the simile 'as if i am dreaming' compares it to something unreal. This is a feeling the reader can understand and empathise with.
The three clauses in the sentence get sequentially longer. 3 syllables (time dilates), 6 syllables (as if I am dreaming) and then 9 syllables. This mirrors the way time feels to the writer, as if it is lengthening.
Effect on reader: the repeated references are used to show how the accident feels
the simile 'as if i am dreaming' compares it to something unreal. This is a feeling the reader can understand and empathise with.
The three clauses in the sentence get sequentially longer. 3 syllables (time dilates), 6 syllables (as if I am dreaming) and then 9 syllables. This mirrors the way time feels to the writer, as if it is lengthening.
Quote: "the next three seconds" " time dilates, as if I am dreaming, and my reactions decelerate"
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13
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Technique:series of verbs or series of word choices, connotations of chosen words
Effect on reader: Verbs in this section are all violent and emphasise how aggressive and awful the accident is.
Collision has connotations of a car crash and ricochet calls to mind bullets. Both of these are violent and call to the readers mind the idea that the events are out of the writers control much like being in a car crash or having a bullet ricochet.
Effect on reader: Verbs in this section are all violent and emphasise how aggressive and awful the accident is.
Collision has connotations of a car crash and ricochet calls to mind bullets. Both of these are violent and call to the readers mind the idea that the events are out of the writers control much like being in a car crash or having a bullet ricochet.
Quote: "smashes" "collision" "yank" "rock ricochets" "crushes"
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14
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Technique: personification, metaphor
Effect on reader: The image compares the rock holding the writers arm to an animal caught in a trap or snare. This makes the rock seem active and aggressive creating a drama between the writer and the stone-his enemy. Using the word ensnares creates the feeling of being trapped enabling the reader to more fully understand the writers emotions.
Effect on reader: The image compares the rock holding the writers arm to an animal caught in a trap or snare. This makes the rock seem active and aggressive creating a drama between the writer and the stone-his enemy. Using the word ensnares creates the feeling of being trapped enabling the reader to more fully understand the writers emotions.
Quote:"ensnares my right arm"
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Technique:metaphor
Effect on reader:compares the sudden pain of the accident to something which immediately flares up or explodes. The image is violent and horrifying communicating how the rider felt.
Effect on reader:compares the sudden pain of the accident to something which immediately flares up or explodes. The image is violent and horrifying communicating how the rider felt.
Quote:"flaring agony"
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Technique:alliteration, onomatopeia
Effect on reader: Alliteration creates the sound of a growl in the readers head. This shows how painful the experience is for the writer. Creates drama, tension and empathy from the reader.
Effect on reader: Alliteration creates the sound of a growl in the readers head. This shows how painful the experience is for the writer. Creates drama, tension and empathy from the reader.
Quote:"I grimace and growl"
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17
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Technique: Elipsis
Effect on reader: Use of ellipsis illustrates the fragmented thought processes and makes it more vivid for the reader.
Effect on reader: Use of ellipsis illustrates the fragmented thought processes and makes it more vivid for the reader.
Quote:" I am frantic, and I cry out ..."
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18
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Technique: slang, metaphor
Effect on reader: tweaking is American slang for a drug addict who is desperate for their next fix. This shows the pain the writer is feeling is disorienting and all he can focus on-like a drug addict in need of drugs.
Effect on reader: tweaking is American slang for a drug addict who is desperate for their next fix. This shows the pain the writer is feeling is disorienting and all he can focus on-like a drug addict in need of drugs.
Quote: "anxiety has my brain tweaking"
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19
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Technique: use of italics
Effect on reader: Empasise the importance and emotion of the words. This communicates that this moment is the writer's best chance to escape.
Effect on reader: Empasise the importance and emotion of the words. This communicates that this moment is the writer's best chance to escape.
Quote: "right now"
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20
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Technique: One word sentence, negative word
Effect on reader: The passage ends with a one word sentence. The shortness of the sentence communicates the desperation and loss of hope the writer feels. The word nothing tells the reader that the writer cannot move the rock. He is trapped. This leaves the reader with a terrible sense of hopelessness and despair.
Effect on reader: The passage ends with a one word sentence. The shortness of the sentence communicates the desperation and loss of hope the writer feels. The word nothing tells the reader that the writer cannot move the rock. He is trapped. This leaves the reader with a terrible sense of hopelessness and despair.
Quote: "nothing"
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21
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Technique: Series of verbs,
Effect on reader: Graphically evoke physical effort put into the attempt to free himself. This creates a clear picture in the readers mind
Effect on reader: Graphically evoke physical effort put into the attempt to free himself. This creates a clear picture in the readers mind
Quote: "shove" "heaving" "pushing" "lifting"
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22
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survival
danger
pain
fear
determination
danger
pain
fear
determination
What is the theme of 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place"
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Takes the reader straight into the action of the canyon hike.
First four paragraphs explain in a factual way the techniques employed in moving through narrow passages. This is specialist information that the reader needs to understand and be able to visualise in order to understand what happens next
Uses a moment of tension. In paragraph 5 the drama builds rapidly as the rock falls.
Final 3 paragraphs describe the horror of the accident.
Each of these paragraphs with a short emphatic statement. Use of short sentence, ellipsis and listing.
First four paragraphs explain in a factual way the techniques employed in moving through narrow passages. This is specialist information that the reader needs to understand and be able to visualise in order to understand what happens next
Uses a moment of tension. In paragraph 5 the drama builds rapidly as the rock falls.
Final 3 paragraphs describe the horror of the accident.
Each of these paragraphs with a short emphatic statement. Use of short sentence, ellipsis and listing.
What is the structure of 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place"
24
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Initially informative, technical terms used. Care taken to ensure the reader can picture and understand the factual information.
Language changes with the accident to become more emotive with references to fear, hope, disbelief and anxiety and violent verbs such as smashes and crushes.
Repeated use of alliteration and references to time.
Language changes with the accident to become more emotive with references to fear, hope, disbelief and anxiety and violent verbs such as smashes and crushes.
Repeated use of alliteration and references to time.
What are the key language features of 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place"?