metalanguage- definitions and applications

Question 1

active and passive voice
provides subjective or objective tone

Answer 1

active: direct, clear
passive: indirect, detached

Question 2

adjectives
Describing words

Answer 2

adds detail to make the text more interesting
can imply something positive or negative

Question 3

alliteration and assonance
Repetition of initial consonants and repetition of vowel sounds

Answer 3

adds emphasis, reinforces meaning
draws attention to key words or ideas
can elicit emotive response
memorable

Question 4

allusion

Answer 4

makes a comparison between two situations to illustrate parallels, in the hope that audience will draw conclusions
adds humour

Question 5

Attack (Pathos + Logos)
Means of criticising an individual or idea

Answer 5

Belittles an opponent’s arguments or actions and may lend weight to those of the writer
Disparagement of subject may sway audience’s opinion
Can offend and alienate audience if overdone

Question 6

anecdotes

Answer 6

Positions readers to respond emotionally e.g. with fear or pleasure
Rings true’ so positions readers to take notice and accept information.

Question 7

bias
overt preference or sympathy for a particular point of view

Answer 7

Can strengthen an argument if the bias seems reasonable and within context, and if the author has some authority
Can undermine an argument if disproportionate to the context

Question 8

cliché
An overused phrase or argument

Answer 8

Can sway an audience by appealing to something with which they are familiar
May make an audience feel informed
May alienate more sophisticated audience

Question 9

colourful language
vulgar or rude; particularly unusual or distinctive expression

Answer 9

Can provide humour
May offend some of the intended audience
Establishes an informal register (friendly, one-of-us)

Question 10

connotative language
loaded language that evokes an idea or feeling, either positive or negative

Answer 10

Encourages (either subtly or overtly) audience to accept a particular implication
Seeks to persuade audience to accept a particular viewpoint of a person or event

Question 11

emotional appeal
attempt to persuade through emotional manipulation

Answer 11

Triggers an emotional response in audience
Evokes feelings of guilt, shame, horror, satisfaction, honour, etc

Question 12

emotive imagery
language that paints a picture to arouse a particular emotional response

Answer 12

Targets an audience’s emotional response (horror, excitement, disgust outrage, etc)
Can alienate or offend some audiences
(sensitive people, or those with different political views from the writer)

Question 13

euphemism
a mild, less direct word or phrase used to replace something offensive or unpleasant

Answer 13

Avoids offending or disturbing some readers
Can provide subtlety in an otherwise difficult situation
Can undermine the argument if used inappropriately or overused

Question 14

evidence
material in support of an argument: statistics, fact, expert opinions, anecdotes

Answer 14

Can lend an argument considerable weight, lends credibility
Appeal to authority
Can undermine an argument if used to confuse or flood with too much information.

Question 15

figurative language
Imagery through the use of visuals, metaphors, similes

Answer 15

Paints a vivid and easily understood picture for the audience
Implies comparison to support a position

Question 16

formal language
Use of more elaborate, precise or sophisticated language

Answer 16

Creates a sophisticated, often authoritative style that can lend weight to an argument
Commands respect
Can alienate in a situation when informal language is more appropriate

Question 17

generalisation
broad statements implied from specific cases

Answer 17

Seeks to validate a theory or contention, sometimes dubiously
Can be inferred to be evidence by naïve audience
Can detract from or undermine if examples are unrealistic or illogical

Question 18

humour
use of puns, irony, satire, sarcasm

Answer 18

Often denigrates the subject
Can provide a more engaging and friendly tone
Audience can be swayed by having them enter into the joke.

Question 19

hyperbole
exaggeration or overstatement used to imply something is more important, worse, better etc.

Answer 19

Creates dramatic effects through dramatic imagery
Argues through the employment of shock tactics and appeals to fear
Argument can be less effective if overused or exaggerated

Question 20

hidden agenda
an undisclosed plan, especially one with an ulterior motive

Answer 20

Is dependent on audience believing the cover story
•

Question 21

inclusive language and exclusive language
the effective use of us and we to include, them and they to exclude.

Answer 21

Targets or accuses particular groups
Creates a sense of solidarity
Can encourage a sense of responsibility
Can create an ‘us and them’ mentality.

Question 22

informal language
colloquial, everyday language, slang.

Answer 22

Creates a conversational mood
Engenders support by establishing a rapport with the audience
Appeals to audience’s sense of humour, cultural identity
Can alienate those not part of the group

Question 23

Irony (Pathos + Logos)
Humour found in contradictory situations, often through the use of sarcasm.

Answer 23

Can engender support through the use of humour
Can evoke strong emotional responses
Encourages audience to see flimsy logic in a statement or event

Question 24

jargon
Words and phrases used by a specific group of people.

Answer 24

In correct context, allows professionals to communicate easily by using familiar words and terms
Often used to confuse or impress
Used to confer authority (sometimes underserved) on the speaker or writer
Can alienate those not part of the group

Question 25

logic reason: the use of argument to assess a situation and sway an audience

Answer 25

Appeal to reason rather than emotion lends credibility to the argument Offers proof and possible solutions Author’s viewpoint supported by facts and common sense

Question 26

omissions the deliberate or accidental leaving out of information.

Answer 26

Seeks to present a particular point of view Can be either persuasive or offensive

Question 27

pictorial support images to accompany written text and illustrate an issue or point.

Answer 27

Provides audience with visual text, which may aid understanding Can provide emotional response in reader Can provide quick factual reference for reader Statistical presentations can be misleading

Question 28

praise expression of approval or admiration.

Answer 28

Evokes positive sentiments that can sway an audience Helps to paint the subject in a positive light.

Question 29

pun play on words: humorous use of synonyms or homonyms

Answer 29

Humour used to engage audience Can be used to create a sense of irony

Question 30

repetition reuse of words or phrases

Answer 30

Is memorable Highlights important or main points Creates a rhythm that can have a hypnotic effect.

Question 31

rhetorical question a question that does not require an answer

Answer 31

Encourages audience to critically consider the issue and perhaps accept the author’s answer Can imply that the answer is obvious and that anyone who disagrees is foolish Can evoke emotional response •

Question 32

sarcasm the use of irony to mock or show contempt, by implying the opposite of what is actually said

Answer 32

Can provide humour to make a point Provides political commentary in an amusing format Can engender hostility in audience •

Question 33

satire the use of humour or exaggeration to expose or criticise

Answer 33

Provides humour to make a point Provides political commentary in an amusing format Can engender hostility in audience

Question 34

sensationalism

Answer 34

Appeals to audience’s curiosity, prejudices Can reinforce stereotypes Can offend or alienate | "Tyndale house is a serious competitor!"(they didn't come last for once)

Question 35

sound effects sounds added to or enhanced in a text

Answer 35

Appeal through association Create a mood

Question 36

subtext an underlying theme or message in a text, with an unstated meaning

Answer 36

Can send a covert message to the audience Can be seen as underhanded or manipulative by those who do not agree Very persuasive if audience is unaware of the subtext

Question 37

vested interest a personal interest in a decision

Answer 37

View may be biased Cannot be considered an objective opinion

Question 38

vocabulary choice the deliberate selection of words

Answer 38

Seeks to support a point of view Can paint a subject in either a positive or negative light. | \#\#\# is a pragmatic, endearing, dedicated, observant man. ## Footnote now take the first letter of each descriptor

Question 39

Appeal to authority Uses the opinion of an expert or authority figure to impress audiences or prove a point

Answer 39

Reassures the reader that the writer’s viewpoint is shared by someone with expert knowledge. Influences readers to respond positively and agree. | "My dad is an engineer and says triangles are his favorite shape" ## Footnote What is everyone's favourite shape?

Question 40

Appeal to common sense Common sense is practical, everyday knowledge that is accepted as obvious and therefore ‘true’.

Answer 40

Pressures the reader to agree by implying that anyone who disagrees lacks practical intelligence and cannot see what is evident.

Question 41

Appeal to family values Suggests that traditional family life provides the essential values for a healthy, stable society. Usually takes the nuclear family for granted.

Answer 41

Leads the reader to view traditional nuclear family as the most desirable kind of family. Can position the reader to blame destructive or antisocial behaviour on separated or single parent families.

Question 42

Appeal to fear and insecurity Suggests that people’s safety, security or freedom is at risk; often exaggerates a situation to present a ‘worst case scenario’.

Answer 42

Pressures the reader to feel that solutions are needed urgently so they should agree with the proposals. Also persuades the reader to believe that the writer has their best interests at heart by wanting to protect them.

Question 43

Appeal to the hip-pocket nerve Threatens our financial well-being because we fear or believe that we are being overcharge or ‘ripped off’.

Answer 43

Incites strong emotions, e.g. anger at being overcharged or because money is being misused. Positions the reader to reject the views of those who want to raise prices, fees etc.

Question 44

Appeal to tradition and customs Appeals to a sense of security based on the belief that rituals and traditions are valuable and should be preserved.

Answer 44

Encourages readers to resist change and to feel that links with the past need to be retained. Can position readers to view ‘modern’ lifestyles as inferior and damaging the social fabric.

Question 45

Appeal to loyalty and patriotism Assumes commitment to our group, a love of our country, that old ways of doing things should be highly valued.

Answer 45

Positions the reader to agree with (and possibly take part in) actions that will benefit the nation or the group. Can arouse feelings of anger or fear that position people to take action to support a cause or a group.

Question 46

Appeal to sense of justice Plays on our beliefs that we all have the right to be treated fairly and we should strive for just outcomes.

Answer 46

Positions the reader to agree that the punishment should fit the crime. Arouses feelings of anger when somebody is punished too harshly or a criminal ‘gets off’ lightly. | "Guys I lapped monopoly in 3 dice rolls" "Banker, please fine him"

Question 47

Emotive language Deliberate use of strong words and phrases to arouse the reader’s feelings and so manipulate them to agree.

Answer 47

The reader is positioned to react emotionally and agree with the writer’s viewpoint before reason even comes into play.

Question 48

Exaggeration, overstatement, hyperbole Presents an extreme view of a situation for dramatic impact and to provoke strong emotional responses. Hyperbole is an extravagant statement not meant to be taken literally.

Answer 48

Exaggeration positions the reader to respond emotionally and so be more likely to accept or reject a viewpoint. Can generate humour to make the reader view the writes viewpoint positively.

Question 49

Graphs and diagrams Facts and figures presented in a visual form

Answer 49

Give a quickly understood picture of the ‘facts’ that support a viewpoint in an article or similar - help to persuade and position the reader to agree.

Question 50

Inclusive language Uses ‘we’, ‘our’ ‘us’ etc to include the readers in the same group as the writer. Assumes that everyone in the group shares the writer’s viewpoint.

Answer 50

The reader is positioned to agree with the writer because it appeals to their desire to belong to a group or pays on their fears of being ‘left out’ pr regarded as an outsider. | If WE eat donuts, and THEY don't, THEY clearly clearly aren't coppers!

Question 51

Imagery Figurative language, that which creates a picture or image in the readers mind

Answer 51

The creation of a visual image in the readers mind adds impact to the statement and positions readers to understand more clearly the point the writer is making. | "A glistening pink donut, steam rising from its face from being toasted"

Question 52

Juxtaposition The placement of two concepts near each other in order for readers to make a comparison.

Answer 52

The reader is positioned to take one idea or concept and make an immediate comparison with the following idea or concept.

Question 53

Metaphor and simile Compare two different things, suggesting a similarity between them. A simile uses ‘as if’ or ‘like’; a metaphor does not.

Answer 53

Create a striking and memorable image, often with emotional impact that can influence the reader’s viewpoint. Because more witty and engaging than dry description, can position the reader to support the writer’s viewpoint.

Question 54

Reason and logic Used to link ideas and develop an argument supporting the writer’s point of view. Can take into account the opposing viewpoint in order to show why the writer’s argument is superior.

Answer 54

Position the reader to accept the writer’s viewpoint as objectively true because it is not just personal opinion or emotional reaction. Persuade the reader through a well argued case that can stand up to scrutiny. Often used with a calm tone and/ or formal style. | Subtracting doesn't exist; you're really just adding a negative number

Question 55

Ambiguity

Answer 55

When something is left to the reader’s imagination | Bob lifted a rock over his head ## Footnote to what? show his strength? is he going to drop it on himself? or smash into Lily's foot?

Question 56

Analogy

Answer 56

Uses two similar concepts or ideas to create a relationship or draw comparisons between the two | That quadraped athelete's run was not unlike that of a cheetah's.

Question 57

Antithesis

Answer 57

Using two sentences with contradictory or contrasting meanings close to one another | to illuminate differences between them

Question 58

Archetype

Answer 58

An immediately recognisable character, concept or object | blue uniformed man holding a pink-glazed donut.

Question 59

Atmosphere

Answer 59

The feeling or mood created by a place, situation or text

Question 60

Characterisation

Answer 60

The process by which characters are introduced, described and then fully formed through their choices, interactions, etc. | Percy swam, slid, and occasionally belly-flopped, but he couldn't fly. ## Footnote (Percy's a penguin)

Question 61

Contrast

Answer 61

Any situation wherein two different or opposing things are presented together

Question 62

Context

Answer 62

The time, place and social setting within which a text was created

Question 63

Dramatic Irony

Answer 63

Any situation wherein the audience is privy to some sort of information that the characters do not know | Mother kicked her chick of the cliff, who choked on air in surprise. ## Footnote How else do birds learn how to fly?

Question 64

Exclamation

Answer 64

A sentence ending with an exclamation mark or said with a tone of shock/excitement | Penguin's don't fly!

Question 65

Frame Narrative

Answer 65

A story within a story

Question 66

Foil

Answer 66

A character that contrasts the main character | Ever heard of Wario?

Question 67

Foreshadowing

Answer 67

The act of hinting at or setting up a situation, event or action | "I'm the final horcrux"

Question 68

Form

Answer 68

The construction and structure of a text | Wibbly wobbly (open middle close)

Question 69

Fractured Sentences

Answer 69

Incomplete or broken off sentences | "I love snacking on chil-!" ## Footnote -li oil ramen! what did you think?

Question 70

Icons

Answer 70

An object, image or person that symbolises something larger

Question 71

Intertextuality

Answer 71

When one text makes reference to another text

Question 72

Language Choices

Answer 72

This includes individual word choices based on connotations

Question 73

Linear and Non-Linear

Answer 73

This describes the way in which a narrative flows or is told

Question 74

Metonymy

Answer 74

Referring to something by something associated with it

Question 75

Modality

Answer 75

Strength of a word or phrase (high = strong, low = weak)

Question 76

Mood

Answer 76

The emotional atmosphere of a piece of writing

Question 77

Motif

Answer 77

A recurring idea, symbol, or object that carries meaning

Question 78

Omission

Answer 78

Leaving something out of the text to create suspense or let the reader imagine | They bit down on the round-shaped morsels, hot jam oozing and dripping. ## Footnote Hot jam donuts ! (who said?)

Question 79

Onomatopoeia

Answer 79

Words that sound like what they represent | Explosion->BOOM, cow go->MOO, drums go ->

Question 80

Oxymoron

Answer 80

Combining opposite words for effect | dastardly efficient, scarily cool, laughably sad, a great few examples.

Question 81

Parallels

Answer 81

Similar situations or characters used for comparison

Question 82

Pathetic fallacy

Answer 82

Giving human emotions or characteristics to non-human things | The wind blew. The grass waved. The trees waved. The rocks grew beards.

Question 83

Person/Narrative Perspective

Answer 83

The point of view from which a story is told (1st = I, 2nd = you, 3rd = they) | You screamed, they screamed, we all screamed for (I)ce-cream ## Footnote 2nd, 3rd, 1st for those wondering

Question 84

Personification

Answer 84

Giving human qualities to non-living things | A brilliant blue-yellow ball that always bounced back no matter what hit ## Footnote We personified a ball.

Question 85

Setting

Answer 85

The location and time period of a story | "The date was June 6, 1944..." ## Footnote The setting was probably D-day.

Question 86

Sibilance

Answer 86

The repetition of 's' sounds for a specific effect

Question 87

Sound devices

Answer 87

Techniques that use sound for effect in writing

Question 88

Symbolism

Answer 88

When an object represents something more than itself | A pink-glazed donut ## Footnote Rising morbesity rates in policemen.

Question 89

Syntax

Answer 89

Sentence structure (how words are arranged in a sentence)

Question 90

Theme

Answer 90

The underlying message or idea explored in a piece of writing

Question 91

prolepsis

Answer 91

a figure of speech in which a future act or development is represented as if already accomplished or existing- anticipation

Question 92

dichotomy

Answer 92

separates two things into contrasting and contradictory parts.

Question 93

reductio ad absurdum

Answer 93

form of argument that attempts to establish a claim by showing that the opposite scenario would lead to absurdity or contradiction. | A couple have a child. The man didn't give birth, so the woman must've. ## Footnote i.e., the woman must have born the child

Question 94

hypophora a figure of speech wherein a writer raises a question and then immediately answers it

Answer 94

By employing this technique, the speaker gains control over the topic and skillfully guides the audience's thoughts in a specific direction. It's as if the speaker is engaging in a thought-provoking dialogue with the audience, seamlessly alternating between asking compelling questions and providing insightful answers.

Question 95

ad hominem attack

Answer 95

This fallacy occurs when, instead of addressing someone's argument or position, you irrelevantly attack the person or some aspect of the person who is making the argument. | "actually, 1+1=2" "only a nerd would know that" ## Footnote personA makes reasonable argument --> personB goes on tangent and reminds audience that personA is a cop who eats pink-glazed donuts

Question 96

anaphora

Answer 96

ses the repetition of short phrases or single words at the beginning of clauses or sentences to enhance rhythm and evoke audience emotional participation in the literary work. | i.e., a fat cop holding a fat donut walking down a fat street

Question 97

tricolon/triadic sentence

Answer 97

a rhetorical term for a series of three parallel words, phrases, or clauses.

Question 98

two pronged approach

Answer 98

two/three different ways of achieving the same aim

Question 99

auxesis

Answer 99

gradual increase in the intensity of meaning with words arranged in ascending order of force or importance. | i.e., he shivered, wimpered, groaned, wept, cried and screamed !

Question 100

lexical choice

Answer 100

the task of selecting words to express an input meaning representation.

Question 101

cause and effect

Answer 101

a writer demonstrates to the reader how something happens. | i.e., if I hit your toe with a hammer, you'd probably hurt your toe ## Footnote toe hit hammer -> toe now hurt