MetaLanguage
alliteration and assonance Repetition of initial consonants and repetition of vowel sounds | Sydney’s slippery side The elite meet-and-greet | · adds emphasis, reinforces meaning · draws attention to key words or ideas · can elicit emotive response · memorable |
appeals | · See different styles of ‘appeal’ in text below this table. | |
attack Means of criticising an individual or idea | Her comments are little more that adolescent gibberish. (Ridicule, mudslinging) Teachers must be held accountable for students’ appalling literacy levels. | · Belittles an opponent’s arguments or actions and may lend weight to those of the writer · Disparagement of subject may sway audience’s opinion · Can offend and alienate audience if overdone |
emotive language attempt to persuade through emotional manipulation | Long-range nuclear weapons do not discriminate: we are all a target. (appeal to sense of insecurity) Sadly, Aboriginal health and education are responsibilities we still have to address. (appeal to sense of social justice) | · Triggers an emotional response in audience · Evokes feelings of guilt, shame, horror, satisfaction, honour, etc |
emotive imagery language that paints a picture to arouse a particular emotional response | This barbaric practice has been extended to the children, and the pain they suffer is evident on their faces. Bodies were piled up like trash in makeshift roadside graves. | · Targets an audience’s emotional response (horror, excitement, disgust outrage, etc) · Can alienate or offend some audiences · (sensitive people, or those with different political views from the writer) |
evidence material in support of an argument: statistics, fact, expert opinions, anecdotes | According to Melbourne Water, 1.5 million households used over 500 billion litres of water in the year to 30 June. Wind poser generates fewer pollutants than the burning of fossil fuel. | · Can lend an argument considerable weight, lends credibility · Appeal to authority · Can undermine an argument if used to confuse or flood with too much information. |
humour use of puns, irony, satire, sarcasm | George Dubbya Bush and his weapons of mass distraction Gillard and Rudd came out of the conference licking their lips like a couple of lovestruck Cheshire cats. | · Often denigrates the subject · Can provide a more engaging and friendly tone · Audience can be swayed by having them enter into the joke. |
hyperbole exaggeration or overstatement used to imply something is more important, worse, better etc. | Every weekend the city is overrun by beggars and buskers. Our parks are little more than toxic rubbish dumps. | · Creates dramatic effects through dramatic imagery · Argues through the employment of shock tactics and appeals to fear · Argument can be less effective if overused or exaggerated |
inclusive language and exclusive language the effective use of us and we to include, them and they to exclude. | We all have a role to play. They bring their problems to Australia. It is up to us to solve the problem they have created. | · Targets or accuses particular groups · Creates a sense of solidarity · Can encourage a sense of responsibility · Can create an ‘us and them’ mentality. |
informal language colloquial, everyday language, slang. | How do you like them apples, Senator? She’ll be right mate. | · Creates a conversational mood · Engenders support by establishing a rapport with the audience · Appeals to audience’s sense of humour, cultural identity · Can alienate those not part of the group |
jargon Words and phrases used by a specific group of people. | Within the given parameters, the incorporation of cultural constraints adds explicit performance contours. Early adapters are our chief indicators of the viability of the product. | · In correct context, allows professionals to communicate easily by using familiar words and terms · Often used to confuse or impress · Used to confer authority (sometimes underserved) on the speaker or writer · Can alienate those not part of the group |
logic reason: the use of argument to assess a situation and sway an audience | Research has shown that a prison term for minor offences hampers rehabilitation: we must therefore, adopt a new approach to punishment, as locking up people who have committed such offences has not worked. | · Appeal to reason rather than emotion lends credibility to the argument · Offers proof and possible solutions · Author’s viewpoint supported by facts and common sense |
pun play on words: humorous use of synonyms or homonyms | Water chief damned by local critics. PM feels the heat over climate change. Public transport: designing a fare system.
| · Humour used to engage audience · Can be used to create a sense of irony |
repetition reuse of words or phrases | We cannot imagine the horrors they faced: we cannot imagine the strength of their spirit. And we cannot allow it to happen again. | · Is memorable · Highlights important or main points · Creates a rhythm that can have a hypnotic effect.
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rhetorical question a question that does not require an answer | Must we wait for years before this man leaves office? And why do we do this? Because we are fair and honest. | · Encourages audience to critically consider the issue and perhaps accept the author’s answer · Can imply that the answer is obvious and that anyone who disagrees is foolish · Can evoke emotional response
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