Deconstructing a text

What features make up a text? Syntax – types of phrase and sentence construction Sound effects e.g. alliteration and rhetorical devices Tone – persuasive? Angry? Playful? Sad? Reflective? Ironic? Diction – choice of vocabulary/lexis Figures of speech e.g. simile, metaphor, antithesis or contrast, climax, personification Structure or cohesion – how the text fits together

Linguistic Methods (what to say)   Lexis (including semantics) Grammar Phonology Pragmatics Graphology Discourse Syntax

Lexis (including semantics)   Lexis is simply word choice – taken from lexicon. Things to look out for: Formal / informal Descriptive / analytical Modern / archaic Specialist / colloquial Literal / figurative Concrete / abstract Heavily modified / unmodified English / Latinate / modern European

After looking at words individually you may wish to look for groupings of lexical or semantic fields (remember fields of study) Cooking, holidays, war, medicine etc   Semantics deal with the meanings of words and should consider connotation / denotation, implication, ambiguity (often purposeful) Semantics links to purpose words chosen to persuade, words chosen to describe Figurative language: similes, metaphors, personification. We can put jargon in here specialist vocabulary for work or interest.

Grammar The systemization of a language. What to comment on:   word level, phrase or sentence level and text level. Word level – know your parts of speech Nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions and determiners. Be prepared to comment on their usage. Phrase or sentence level. There are only 3 types of sentence: Simple sentence Compound sentence Complex sentence Be prepared to comment on writers’ or speakers’ choice.

Sentences have functions Declarative sentences make statements Interrogative sentences ask questions Imperative sentences give instructions or commands Exclamatory sentences are emphatic and end with an exclamation mark.   Most sentences are SVO so look for deviation Look at verbs to indicate time or tense Adjectives for comparison Nouns for number Prepositions for relationships.

Phonology The sound words and phrases make   The sound words and phrases make  Rhyme may be used in a text in advertising a slogan may rhyme or a headline in a newspaper. Rhyme aids memory. Look for: Alliteration Sibilance Assonance Rhyme Onomatopoeia In written speech writers sometimes write phonetically to reproduce authentic accents and voice. Look for elision (the missing out of sounds) to create voice patterns “fish n chips”; contraction “shud’v” ellipsis where whole words are missed out “wanna drink?” liaison where words run together “theris no point”

Pragmatics Language in use   Language in use “Pragmatics is all about the meanings between the lexis and the grammar and the phonology...Meanings are implied and the rules being followed are unspoken, unwritten ones.” George Keith This covers politeness in speech acts in social situations so as not to offend the listener. Not telling people they look awful etc This also covers forms of address calling someone Mr X because we work for them etc Also implication “It’s warm in here” may mean can we open a window.

Pragmatics Prosody can be hard to pick up in writing it covers tone of voice, pitch volume and pace and has to be worked out by realizing the relationship of speakers. A simple phrase “ I like your top” could mean all sorts of things: Envy Sarcasm Anger Genuine compliment Comparative (to what you normally wear) Flirting Ingratiation   We don’t always say exactly what we mean.

Features of presentation

Features of presentation Pictures Fonts Layout Language and linguistic choices

Playing with form Choose one text and change the format e.g. use the information in an advertisement and write a short script for a two-voice radion advertisement for the item.

Make notes on the differences between the original text and yours, thinking about the change of mode and format