PAPER 1 TEXTS Flashcards
What is register?
A variety of language that is associated with a particular situation of use.
It is also associated with linguistic features that serve imot function within that situation of use.
Dependent on audience, topic, purpose and location.
What is a static register?
Rarely/never changes.
Frozen in time and context.
For example: Laws, or The Lord’s Prayer.
What is a formal register?
One-way in nature, following a commonly accepted format and is impersonal.
What is a consultative register?
A standard from of communications. Users engage in a mutually accepted structure of communication, adhering to social expectations.
Eg professional discourse.
What is a casual register?
Informal using slang, vulgarities and colloquialisms.
“Group” language.
What is an intimate register?
Private communications.
What are the key characteristics of blogs?
High social proximity - blogs with a personal tone are often conversational, featuring direct address, anecdotes or humor to create intimacy.
Low social proximity - Blogs addressing a wider audience or discussing formal topics may use a detached, professional tone, minimising personal references and emotion.
What language features should be analysed in a blog?
Tone - conversational or formal?
Structure - Short paragraphs and bullet points reflect accessibility and high proximity, whereas dense text suggests distance.
Devices - the use of rhetorical questions, exclamations, or emojis often signifies an effort to build rapport.
Lexis - informal lexis or subject specific jargon.
What are the key characteristics of transcripts?
(YouTube/podcasts)
High social proximity - casual language, shared in-jokes, incomplete sentences and fillers.
These reflect natural speech patterns and close relationships.
Low social proximity - formal interviews or structured presentations, where language is carefully planned and impersonal.
What language features should be analysed in transcripts?
(YouTube/podcasts)
Spontaneity - Interruptions, false starts or overlaps show immediacy and informality.
Pragmatics - Politeness strategies, hedging or discourse markers give insights to relationship dynamics.
Register - Does the speaker address the audience casually or formally?
Mode features - Oral-specific features such as deixis and interactional markers.
What are the key characteristics of autobiographies?
High social proximity - Authors who write intimately about personal experiences. Often using first-person narration, emotive language and vivid description. Addressing readers as confidants.
Low social proximity - A formal tone, focusing on facts and achievements. Avoiding emotional vulnerability.
What language features should be analysed in autobiographies?
Narrative voice - Is it conversational or detached?
Tense - Present tense can create immediacy and closeness, while past tense often reflects distance.
Figurative language - Metaphors, similes, and sensory details enhance connection by immersing readings.
Personal pronouns - high use of “I, you and we” creates a sense of closeness.
What are the key characteristics of travel writing?
High social proximity - vivid imagery, personal anecdotes and direct address to draw the reader into their experience.
Low social proximity - Descriptive accounts or informational pieces might prioritise objectivity over personal connection.
What are the key language features to analyse for travel writing?
Imagery - rich descriptions evoke emotional closeness.
Direct address - Informal guides might use “you” to invite the reader into the narrative.
Perspective - A first-person perspective feels intimate, while third person feels detached.
Purpose - Is the piece written to inform, persuade, or entertain? Tone will align accordingly.
What are the key characteristics of guides?
High social proximity - Casual tone, inclusive language and encouragement to build rapport.
Low social proximity - Technical or professional guides may adopt a precise, neutral tone with minimal personalisation.
What are the language features to analyse for a guide?
Imperatives - Friendly guides may use softer commands, while technical ones use direct imperatives.
Modality - Use of modal verbs reflects politeness or formality.
Sentence length - Short, clear sentences enhance accessibility.
What are the key characteristics of reviews?
High social proximity - personal, subjective reviews use humour, anecdotes and direct recommendations.
Low social proximity - Formal reviews may analyse objectively, avoiding personal language.
What are language features to analyse in a review?
Opinion markers - Informal reviews use phrases like “I loved it!”
Evaluation language - Use of adjectives and adverbs
Balance - Look for rhetorical; balance between subjective and objective comments.
