Comprehension: Non-fictional texts

Question 1

What are all the techniques we can use in non-fictional texts?

Answer 1

tone
modality
personal/collective pronouns
use of personal/point of view
anecdotal evidence
epinome
anaphora
epistrophe
diacope
irony
diacope
connotative & emotional language
facts, data, statistics and expert opinions
sequencing/structuring of events/info

Question 2

Tone:

Answer 2

words chosen to alter the mood or character.

Question 3

What are words to describe tone?

Answer 3

• angry
• candid(frank/straight forward)
• sardonic (mocking/cynical)
• contemplative
• reflective
• diplomatic (being sensitive)
• indignant (anger/annoyance at unfair treatment)
• optimistic
• pessemistic
• imperative (vital/urgent)

Question 4

Modality

Answer 4

Words (verbs, adjectives, nouns) used to convey how certain we are about something

Question 5

Low modality

High modality

Answer 5

Low modality: words indicating uncertainty eg. might

High modality: words indicating certainty eg. will

Question 6

Personal/collective pronouns

Answer 6

using first person, second person or collective pronouns ‘we’ to position themselves and their readers in the text

Question 7

What is the effect of personal/collective pronouns

Answer 7

• can make the text more intimate or personal
• the use of 2nd person and collective pronouns implicate the reader in the text or demonstrate that the writer is writing to a larger group

Question 8

Use of personal/point of view

Answer 8

non-fictional writers can still deploy a persona or strong point of view so as to personalise the non-fiction text and make it clear that the info may be subjective

Question 9

Anecdotal evidence

Answer 9

Authors can use their own lives/experiences, popular culture or history
- this can illustrate their points or further engage the reader

Question 10

Epinome

Answer 10

Constantly repeating a phrase, point or a question to make a point

Question 11

Anaphora

Answer 11

Repetition of a word at the beginning of a clause or sentence

Question 12

Epistrophe

Answer 12

Repetition of a word at the end of a clause or sentence

Question 13

Diacope

Answer 13

Repetition that is broken up by one or more intervening words

Question 14

Irony

Answer 14

Stating one thing but meaning the exact opposite.

Is used to generate humour/sense of wit

Question 15

Connotative and emotive language

Answer 15

choosing language that has powerful/connotative implications (words that are ‘loaded’)

Question 16

the use of facts, data, statistics and expert opinions

Answer 16

gives a sense of authority/veracity (accuracy)

Question 17

sequencing or structuring of events/info

Answer 17

to create a narrative and give importance to certain points of info