RUAE analsying language Flashcards
analyse the use of repetition in a text.
Repetition in a passage is where single words, or groups of words, are repeated to emphasise something, eg:
There will be no opposition, no questioning of my authority, absolutely no answering back.
The word ‘no’ is repeated to emphasise the strictness of the speaker and that they will not tolerate any disagreement.
explain and analyse the use of lists in a text
A list is a number of connected items or names written consecutively, one following the other. In the following list of reasons for being late, consider the order in which the points are presented.
I was late because my alarm didn’t go off, the cat was sick, and the train didn’t turn up on time, but, mainly, I just couldn’t get my hair right.
The sentence contains a list of explanations for the person being late. It also leads to what the writer considers to be the most important reason, which is that she wasn’t able to make her hair look stylish. Often, a list of items builds up to the most important one being at the end.
explain and analyse the effect of sentence length
Short sentences may be used to build up tension or for emphasis. Longer sentences may be used for explanation, eg:
My alarm didn’t go off, the cat was sick and the train didn’t turn up on time. I was late.
The short sentence ‘I was late’ that follows the longer sentence of explanations emphasises that being late was a serious matter for the writer.
explain and analyse the effect of inversion
The normal word order is reversed, usually to place emphasis on a particular word or phrase, eg:
As I was running late, I ran quickly to get there for the start of the show.
The sentence begins with ‘As I was running late’ to emphasise the reason for the person running quickly. By placing ‘running late’ at the beginning of the line, the writer is emphasising that her lateness could result in missing the start of the show.
explain and analyse the effect of contrast
Individual words or groups of words are placed side by side - in juxtaposition - to stress the contrast between ideas, eg:
‘It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.’
In this quote, from the opening of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, the writer is highlighting how, at the time in Victorian Britain, there was a significant contrast between peoples’ lives. For some life was very good, for others it was much more difficult.
explain and analyse the effect of parenthesis
Extra information is placed in the middle of a sentence, contained within dashes, brackets or commas, eg:
The dress – in my mother’s opinion – didn’t suit me.
The dress (in my mother’s opinion) didn’t suit me.
The dress, in my mother’s opinion, didn’t suit me.
The writer inserts the Parenthesis ‘in my mother’s opinion’ to emphasise that the dress not looking good is her mother’s point of view, not the writer’s. It is a way of saying she disagrees with her mother.
explain and analyse the use of ellipsis
Ellipsis can show a speaker’s thoughts have tailed off, eg:
‘There are a million things to do: you can go mountain biking, skiing, running, quad biking . . .’
Ellipsis can suggest a pause for some reason, eg:
‘The reason I forgot my homework, sir, was eh . . . because . . . umm . . .’
Here, the ellipsis demonstrates that there is a pause while the boy tries to think of an excuse.
Ellipsis can be used to create suspense, eg:
‘I walked into the room . . . there was something bothering me . . . but I just couldn’t think what it was . . .’
Ellipsis can be used to create humour, eg:
‘I’d really like to wish you luck on your driving test but . . .’
explain and analyse the use of a semi-colon
A semi-colon is used to separate complex items in a list, eg:
Marks and Spencer has many stores in London, England; Edinburgh, Scotland; Dublin, Ireland and Cardiff, Wales.
A semi-colon can also be used to join together two similar or totally contrasting sentences for effect, eg:
‘It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.’
‘We can go to the library to study; Tuesdays are usually very quiet there.’
explain and analyse the use of a colon
A colon can be used to introduce a list.
She looked at the items on the agenda:
Record of the last meeting
Production figures for June
Monthly sales figures
New marketing campaign
A colon can be used to elaborate or expand on an idea, eg:
There was just one reason why Mickey loved Eddie: they were blood brothers.
A colon can be used to introduce a quote, eg:
Professor James Smith of Rochester University says: ‘Online dating has become one of the most popular ways of meeting partners in recent years.
explain and analyse rhetorical question
Questions are sometimes used rhetorically ie, there is no expectation of a direct answer. It’s a question asked more for the effect.
Can’t you do anything right?
This question is not really about the listener’s ability, it is intended to make a statement about the listener’s lack of ability.
Sometimes a writer uses a rhetorical question to get you to think more carefully about a topic, or to encourage you to agree with them. For example, a holiday company might advertise using the following question:
Do you dream of sun, sea and sand?
You are not necessarily expected you to reply, ‘Yes Please!’. The purpose of the rhetorical question is to encourage you to think about holidays, and for you to book a holiday with that company.
explain and analyse connotation and denotation
Connotation and Denotation are devices used by writers to show their attitude to a subject or person. Denotation is the literal meaning of a word or short phrase. Connotation is what that word or phrase suggests. For example:
There’s no place like home.
‘Home’ is the literal meaning (Denotation) the actual building that someone lives in. However, the writer is really referring to something more than the building, what the word ‘Home’ makes us think of – family, comfort, security (Connotation).
We have to cherish our parks and green spaces.
The word ‘cherish’ literally means to look after (Denotation). However, it suggests that the writer believes parks and green spaces are very important for us as we should be taking great care with them as we would a very valuable object (Connotation).
explain and analyse the use of a simile
Imagery can be divided into three different techniques: simile, metaphor and personification.
Similie
Simile is an unusual comparison between two things using the word like or as, eg:
Life is like a rollercoaster.
He was as brave as a lion.
The ground was as dry as a bone.
My love is like a red, red, rose.
explain and analyse the use of metaphor
Imagery can be divided into three different techniques: simile, metaphor and personification.
Metaphor
Metaphor is when a person, place, or thing is portrayed as being something else, even though it is not actually that something else, eg:
My brother was boiling mad. (This implies he was very angry)
The assignment was a breeze. (This implies that the assignment was easy)
Her voice was music to his ears. (This implies that her voice makes him feel happy)
explain and analyse the use of personification
Imagery can be divided into three different techniques: simile, metaphor and personification.
Personification
Personification is where things that are not necessarily living are given the characteristics of humans or animals, eg:
The sun danced in the sky.
The fire swallowed the entire forest.
The wind whispered through dry grass.
The ship danced over the waves.
explain and analyse alliteration
Alliteration is the repetition of sounds at the beginning of a number of words in a line, eg:
The pig pranced around the field filled with puddles.
This alliteration emphasises how much the pig is enjoying himself and creates a pleasant and fun atmosphere in the poem.
This doesn’t need to be every word. It is also about sounds, not letters, eg, ‘A neat knot should not need re-knotted’ could be considered alliteration.
