VCE English Language 2025 Unit 1 AOS 1: 'Nature and Functions of Language' Analytical Commentary Format

What are the features of an introductory paragraph?

Mode, the text type, the purpose, subject area, participants/audience, the setting, and the level of formality.

Introduction format:

This conversation, in the spoken mode, is a (register) discussion about (subject area). It employs the (formal or informal) register because of the (adjective) relationship between the participants. The text aims to discuss (subject area). Taking place at a (location), the text involves (a number of people) with a (adjective) relationship.

What are the evidence options for a function and purpose paragraph?

Sentence types, prosodic features and word classes.

What are Jakobson’s functions?

Referential, conative, emotive, phatic, paralinguistic and poetic.

What are the four sentence types?

Declarative, imperative, interrogative, exclamative.

What are the Prosodic Features (PIVoTS)?

Pitch, Intonation, Volume, Tempo and Stress.

First paragraph layout?

This spoken conversation has the purpose of discussing (topic), and this is supported by language with (whatever) functions. The text contains the (x) sentence/utterance “quote”. This sentence/utterance supports the (x) function of the text, as it (does something).

Paragraph 2 Features (Register, Tenor and Audience)

Connected Speech Processes, Colloquial Language, Sentence Fragments.

What are Connected Speech Processes?

Elision (removal of a phoneme), Vowel Reduction (‘You’ to ‘ya’), Assimilation (changing phonemes), Insertion (Adding a sound).

Paragraph 2 format:

The conversation has a formal/informal register given the close/cold relationship between the participants. At the end, the informal language features contribute to the close, friendly tenor.

Paragraph 3 features (Mode and Text Type)

Vocal effects, non-fluency features, overlap, minimal responses, prosodic features and turn-taking.

What are non-fluency features?

Pauses, filled pauses, voiced hesitations, false starts, repetition and repairs.

Paragraph 3 format:

Moreover, features typically associated with speech support the conversational nature of the text. Discuss how non-fluency features shows spontaneity. Really develop analysis.

Which symbols indicate pitch?

Rising (/) or falling (\)

How is intonation shown?

Final (.), continuing (,), and questioning (?).

How is volume shown?

Loud (<F…F>), Soft (<P…P>).

How is tempo shown?

Fast (Allegro, <A…A>), slow (<L…L>).

How is stress shown?

Emphasis, Primary Accent (^).