language techniques

Question 1

Allusion

Answer 1

• Makes comparison between two situations to illustrate parallels, in the hope that the audience will draw conclusions.
• Adds humour

Question 2

Bias

Answer 2

• Undisguised preference or sympathy for a certain POV.

- Can strengthen an argument if the bias seems reasonable and within the context and if the author has some authority

Question 3

Connotative Language

Answer 3

• Evokes an idea/feeling that is positive or negative.

- Encourages the audience to accept a particular implication.

Question 4

Emotion Appeal

Answer 4

• Attempt to persuade through emotional manipulation

- Triggers an emotional response

Question 5

Euphemism

Answer 5

• A mild, less direct word replacing something offensive

- Avoids offending/disturbing the readers

Question 6

Figurative Language

Answer 6

• Imagery through the use of simile, metaphor, hyperbole and personification

Question 7

Simile

Answer 7

• Comparison of one thing to another

Question 8

Metaphor

Answer 8

• A figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable

Question 9

Hyperbole

Answer 9

• Exaggeration/overstatement used to imply something is more important.
• Creates the dramatic effect

Question 10

Personification

Answer 10

• The attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something non-human

Question 11

Irony

Answer 11

• Humour found in contradictory situations, often through the use of sarcasm
• Engender support through the use of humour

Question 12

Omissions

Answer 12

• The deliberate/accidental leaving out of information
• Seeks to present a particular POV
• Persuasive or offensive

Question 13

Rhetorical Question

Answer 13

• A question that doesn’t require an answer
• Encourages audience to critically consider the issue
• Imply that the answer is obvious

Question 14

Satire

Answer 14

• Use of humour to expose/criticise

- Provides humour to make a point

Question 15

Vested Interest

Answer 15

• A personal interest in a decision

- View is biased

Question 16

Appeals to Authority

Answer 16

• Make often use of appeal to authority to strengthen the argument
• Adds a level of respectability and expertise

Question 17

Appeals to Family Values

Answer 17

• Importance of family, thought to be valued with security, belonging and nurture.

Question 18

Appeals to Fear

Answer 18

• Alarmist
• Fear of loss, violence
• Because of the fear of the possibility of these fears being realised, the audience are likely to agree with the POV

Question 19

Appeals to desire to be modern

Answer 19

• Advertisers make use of this appeal to urge customers to buy the latest in something
• Position reader to agree with them by indicating the opposing ideas are old fashioned

Question 20

Appeals to Self-interest

Answer 20

• If the writer shows the audience that they will be better off in some way
• Appealing to self-interest

Question 21

Appeal to Tradition/Nostalgia

Answer 21

• Argue against a proposed change

- Meant to feel that they are undervaluing the importance of tradition