Text conventions Flashcards
(WEBSITE)
a series of labels in the banner used to navigate to various pages of the website
navigation menu
(WEBSITE)
the top section of the website that includes the logo, branding, and navigation hierarchy
header
(WEBSITE)
a horizontal advertising panel that is often found toward the top of the website
banner
(WEBSITE)
found at the bottom of the website and contains sitemap, logo, copyright information, and contact information. This improves the overall usability of the website
footer
(WEBSITE)
section off to the side of the website’s primary content area.
sidebar
(WEBSITE)
clickable buttons that allow the user to interact with the website and participate. These buttons often require the user to enter personal information and details.
call to action buttons
Serifs or sans serif? Size? Weight? This all has an impact on how the reader interacts with the content.
font
how do speakers establish credibility and trustworthiness? Pay attention to the moves speakers use to reduce the distance between the speaker and the audience.
appeal to ethos (credibility, ethics)
how do speakers evoke emotional responses from their audience? Look for loaded words and phrases that make the audience feel one way or the other.
appeal to pathos (emotion, passion)
some texts needs a logical argument. Read the text carefully to understand how evidence and facts are presented in a logical manner to persuade the listener to join the cause or take a certain position on a topic.
appeal to logos (logic, evidence)
(SPEECH)
words such as “must”, “might”, “should”, and “have to” may be small in stature, but they are important in meaning! Look for these keywords to understand the degree of certainty and the strength of feeling in the language of the speaker.
modality
(SPEECH)
How does the speech begin? Did they deliver an anecdote or a joke? Did the speaker try to shock you with a provocative fact? How do they structure the main argument? What moves do they use at the end of the speech? Consider how speakers organize their arguments for effects on the listener.
structural choices
This is the time to consider figurative language and all the components. Think about connotation, denotation, euphemism, hyperbole, tone, and mood. Just like on other text types, isolate words and phrases, deconstruct them, and show how they shape
meaning.
language choices
(LETTER)
How is the heading of the letter organized? Does the writer include a formal label such as “Dr.” or “Mrs”, or is the letter more informal? Is the address included, and does it look like a professional letter or a casual correspondence? Lots to unpack.
name, date, address
(LETTER)
Yes, this is a fancy word for “greeting” and it can reveal the tone of the writer. Pay attention to words like “Dear”, “To whom it may concern”, etc.
salutation
(LETTER)
usually found in the opening paragraph, this
is often a short and clear statement outlining the reason for writing the letter. This purpose should come out very early in the letter.
statement of purpose
(LETTER)
Pay attention to the distance between the writer and the recipient. Is the distance between them far or near? Cordial or formal?
register
(LETTER)
often found at the end of the letter, this final paragraph often states what the writer would like the reader to do in response to the letter.
call to action
(LETTER)
Much like the salutation, the “send off” can reveal much about both writer and recipient. Check for formal versus informal language, casual register versus formal register, and overall level of formality.
closing
(LETTER)
Much like the salutation, the “send off” can reveal much about both writer and recipient. Check for formal versus informal language, casual register versus formal register, and overall level of formality.
closing
(REVIEW)
Reviews, although informational, may contain literary elements as the reviewer attempts to engage the reader and entertain. Watch out for descriptive language and other narrative elements the writer uses to illustrate a precise time and context in which they used the product.
personal stories/ anecdotes
look for words with positive or negative connotations that capture pleasant or unpleasant emotions.
emotive language
(REVIEW)
Look for key words and sentences that evaluate the product and comment on quality.
evaluative language
(REVIEW)
Many consumers want to know the technical aspects of the product. If it’s a computer, what kind of processor does it have? If it’s a mobile phone, how many cameras does it have and how many pixels?
specifications/ features