1. © Oxford University Press 2008 THE INGREDIENTS OF LANGUAGE Introduction to the Study of Language

2. © Oxford University Press 2008 Introduction to the Study of Language AS Level Language Remember that the focus at AS level is on Style rather than Content, so when thinking about the following, consider the ‘Why’ as well as the ‘What’.

3. © Oxford University Press 2008 Introduction to the Study of Language The Ingredients of Language The following features, or ingredients, are influenced by the context, or situation, in which they are found.

4. © Oxford University Press 2008 Introduction to the Study of Language Lexis Grammar Structure/discourse structure Semantics Phonology/prosodic features Graphology

5. © Oxford University Press 2008 Introduction to the Study of Language Lexis The words themselves that make up the text or discourse

6. © Oxford University Press 2008 Introduction to the Study of Language Grammar The way individual words are structured and arranged together in sentences

7. © Oxford University Press 2008 Introduction to the Study of Language Discourse structure The way the content of a text is organized (‘Discourse’ is simply another term for text)

8. © Oxford University Press 2008 Introduction to the Study of Language Semantics The meaning conveyed by the lexis; this can include pragmatics, the underlying meaning behind what we say

9. © Oxford University Press 2008 Introduction to the Study of Language Graphology (Written texts only) The way in which written texts are presented; their spatial arrangement and layout, the type and size of their lettering, etc.

10. © Oxford University Press 2008 Introduction to the Study of Language Phonology/prosodic features (Spoken texts only) The use of vocal elements to add extra force to what is being said

11. © Oxford University Press 2008 Introduction to the Study of Language These are the individual parts, or ingredients of language, that taken together you will be asked to analyse and comment upon.

12. © Oxford University Press 2008 Introduction to the Study of Language Note 1: While each of the above ingredients may be found in a text, individually they may not always be sufficiently important for you to comment on. Every text is different, and what strikes you in one may not be so interesting in another.

13. © Oxford University Press 2008 Introduction to the Study of Language Note 2: What you must not do is simply make a list of the ingredients without saying anything useful about them.

14. © Oxford University Press 2008 Introduction to the Study of Language Note 3: Don’t forget the Why as well as the What!

15. © Oxford University Press 2008 Introduction to the Study of Language Note 4 The examiners already know what ingredients are in a given text; what they want you to do is tell them something useful about them.