New
New
Year 10
AQA

Planning for effective language analysis

I can plan for cohesively written language analysis.

New
New
Year 10
AQA

Planning for effective language analysis

I can plan for cohesively written language analysis.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Precise evaluative adjectives express an interpretation in relation to the question.
  2. Define one over-arching point about the way language is used and use three smaller points to support.
  3. Select evidence that explores patterns and contrasts within the language.
  4. Use short judicious quotations of 1-3 words to support analysis.
  5. Create an over-arching sense of the writer’s purpose or underlying message - show how this is conveyed through language.

Common misconception

Language devices - like similes and metaphors - are more appropriate for analysis in stories and narrative fiction.

Creative non-fiction writing can be rich in methods and language devices - it can offer just as many opportunities for analysis as a more traditionally creative piece.

Keywords

  • Evaluative adjectives - adjectives we can use in our writing to give a judgement about what we are reading

  • Overarching - something so important it affects all other areas- in English, we refer to a writer’s overarching idea

  • Judicious - showing good judgement- when applied to evidence, it means well-chosen to the point you are making

  • Embedded - when referring to quotes, it means quotes that form part of your own writing

  • Dwarfism - a condition causing someone to have a shorter height as a result of a genetic or medical condition

This lesson is focused on an article written by Cara Reedy - an American journalist who writes about her experiences with dwarfism. You may wish to build context further by exploring further resources (videos/articles) about Reedy and her condition.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of sexual content

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these is the best definition of 'formal register'?
Correct answer: a type of language that is used for important or official pieces of writing
a type of language used between friends and family
a type of language more associated with electronic communication
a type of language linked to colloquialism and slang
Q2.
Which of these could be considered conventions of formal register?
Correct answer: Impersonal and unemotional
Correct answer: Uses complex sentence structures
Uses slang and colloquial language
Uses contractions
Correct answer: Uses Standard English
Q3.
What are clauses?
Correct answer: A group of words in a sentence that contain a subject
Any type complete sentence
A piece of writing that contains punctuation
Any two word phrase, as long as it makes sense
Q4.
In his speech, Andeep links the rise of technology to the coming of a great storm. He makes several references to this. What device has Andeep used?
Extended clause
Extended simile
Extended device
Correct answer: Extended analogy
Q5.
What is being described here: 'A question asked to make a point or for dramatic effect, rather than just to elicit an answer.'?
Correct answer: Rhetorical question
Interrogative question
Indirect question
Direct question
Q6.
What is being described here: 'Sentences with a hypothetical situation and its possible consequence, usually using ‘If’.'
unconditional phrase
Correct answer: conditional phrase
expanded noun phrase
prepositional phrase

6 Questions

Q1.
What word is missing from our definition of evaluative adjectives? 'Adjectives we can use in our writing to give a __________ about what we are reading.'
Correct answer: judgement
summary
definition
introduction
Q2.
When including quotes, which of the below are good rules to follow?
Correct answer: Embed them in our own writing
Make them as detailed as possible
Correct answer: Make them precise - around 1-3 words
Language devices form better quotes than individual words
Correct answer: They should be judicious - well-chosen to the point you are making.
Q3.
What does it mean to 'embed' our quotes?
Correct answer: Include the quote as part of our own writing so it is 'embedded' in our analysis
Re-write the quote in our own words so its ideas are 'embedded'
Analyse the quote in detail so it is 'embedded' in analysis
Introduce the quote so it is 'embedded' in context
Q4.
Laura was given a target to 'identify the writer's overarching message in their writing'. Which of the below best defines 'overarching message'?
The writer's structural message, different to their points about language
The writer's hidden message, something you have to uncover gradually
The writer's nuanced message, a point including both pros and cons
Correct answer: The writer's main message, something that affects all other points
Q5.
'Reedy presents a candid and realistic portrayal of her experiences, detailing the hardships and resilience that are part of her daily life'. What evaluative adjectives have been used here?
hardships/resilience
Correct answer: candid/realistic
presents/detailing
experiences/life
Q6.
Which of the below is the best definition of judicious?
Showing good experience
Showing good character
Correct answer: Showing good judgement
Showing good technique

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