metalanguage- examples Flashcards
active and passive voice
provides subjective or objective tone
active: They released the report
passive: The reports was released
adjectives
Describing words
a stirring speech
her diamond-studded tiara
alliteration and assonance
Repetition of initial consonants and repetition of vowel sounds
Sydney’s slippery side
The elite meet-and-greet
allusion
Rusty the Clown (compares Russell Crowe and Krusty the Clown from The Simpsons)
Lord of the Pies (reference to overweight English lord by comparing to the William Golding novel Lord of the Flies)
Attack (Pathos + Logos)
Means of criticising an individual or idea
Her comments are little more that adolescent gibberish. (Ridicule, mudslinging)
Teachers must be held accountable for students’ appalling literacy levels.
anecdote
‘Recently my neighbor experienced these problems first hand.’
‘We met in 1962 when I was a young journalist…’
bias
overt preference or sympathy for a particular point of view
An advertisement for the Federal Liberal Party announcing the benefits of changes to Australia’ s workplace legislation
cliché
An overused phrase or argument
In the final analysis
World-class city
colourful language
vulgar or rude; particularly unusual or distinctive expression
They are certainly up the creek now!
Who gives a toss about the Queen anyway?
The policy is a dog’s breakfast!
connotative language
loaded language that evokes an idea or feeling, either positive or negative
The children were slaughtered as they slept.
Her reckless behaviour was questioned.
The ANZAC legend
emotional appeal
attempt to persuade through emotional manipulation
Long-range nuclear weapons do not discriminate: we are all a target. (appeal to sense of insecurity)
Sadly, Aboriginal health and education are responsibilities we still have to address. (appeal to sense of social justice)
emotive imagery
language that paints a picture to arouse a particular emotional response
This barbaric practice has been extended to the children, and the pain they suffer is evident on their faces.
Bodies were piled up like trash in makeshift roadside graves.
euphemism
a mild, less direct word or phrase used to replace something offensive or unpleasant
Collateral damage (unintended victims of war)
Unplanned landing (crash)
In the family way (pregnant)
evidence
material in support of an argument: statistics, fact, expert opinions, anecdotes
According to Melbourne Water, 1.5 million households used over 500 billion litres of water in the year to 30 June.
Wind poser generates fewer pollutants than the burning of fossil fuel.
figurative language
Imagery through the use of visuals, metaphors, similes
The fabric of Australia is multi-hued.
Social and racial difference are the fault lines in our communities.
formal language
Use of more elaborate, precise or sophisticated language
It is our firm belief that student success can be facilitated through the employment of sound educational principles in a supportive learning environment.
generalisation
broad statements implied from specific cases
This poor behaviour was modelled by the parents, and it is therefore ultimately a parental responsibility.
It is clear from the evidence at this school that all girls befit from single-sex classes at VCE level.
humour
use of puns, irony, satire, sarcasm
George Dubbya Bush and his weapons of mass distraction
Gillard and Rudd came out of the conference licking their lips like a couple of lovestruck Cheshire cats.
hyperbole
exaggeration or overstatement used to imply something is more important, worse, better etc.
Every weekend the city is overrun by beggars and buskers.
Our parks are little more than toxic rubbish dumps.
hidden agenda
an undisclosed plan, especially one with an ulterior motive
Claiming that a golf course is being closed due to lack of use when the true reason is the value of the land in the real estate market.
inclusive language and exclusive language
the effective use of us and we to include, them and they to exclude.
We all have a role to play.
They bring their problems to Australia.
It is up to us to solve the problem they have created.
informal language
colloquial, everyday language, slang.
How do you like them apples, Senator?
She’ll be right mate.
Irony (Pathos + Logos)
Humour found in contradictory situations, often through the use of sarcasm.
The war on terror has produced a volatile environment more susceptible to terrorist forces.
In order to ensure our freedoms, more control is required.
jargon
Words and phrases used by a specific group of people.
Within the given parameters, the incorporation of cultural constraints adds explicit performance contours.
Early adapters are our chief indicators of the viability of the product.
logic
reason: the use of argument to assess a situation and sway an audience
Research has shown that a prison term fro minor offences hampers rehabilitation: we must therefore, adopt a new approach to punishment, as locking up people who have committed such offences has not worked.
omissions
the deliberate or accidental leaving out of information.
An opinion piece that condemns a group without considering causes
pictorial support
images to accompany written text and illustrate an issue or point.
Photograph of drunken teenager within an article about teen binge drinking
Graph indicating rising levels of childhood obesity
Diagram illustrating flow of information
praise
expression of approval or admiration.
Her efforts are to be commended.
We should feel proud of our commitment to cultural diversity.
pun
play on words: humorous use of synonyms or homonyms
Water chief damned by local critics.
PM feels the heat over climate change.
Public transport: designing a fare system.
repetition
reuse of words or phrases
We cannot imagine the horrors they faced: we cannot imagine the strength of their spirit. And we cannot allow it to happen again.
rhetorical question
a question that does not require an answer
Must we wait for years before this man leaves office?
And why do we do this? Because we are fair and honest.
sarcasm
the use of irony to mock or show contempt, by implying the opposite of what is actually said
We can now look forward to loner ticket queues, sweatier rides and more train rage.
Why stop at 30 students to a classroom when we can cram at least 15 more in?
satire
the use of humour or exaggeration to expose or criticise
Television programs such as Real Stories, The Chaser’s War on Everything and Frontline
Political cartoons
sensationalism
Overseas fee-paying students are stealing our university places!
Juvenile joyriders terrorise community!
sound effects
sounds added to or enhanced in a text
The sound of a cash register in an advertisement to suggest a bargain