Tactical Purpose:
An author might use slang when writing in order to connect with different groups of people or target a specific audience. If an author was writing a book on managing ‘Anxiety for Teens’ they may use slang words that are common amongst teens in order to help connect with them. Using slang in writing can also seem informal depending on the type of book and the audience the book is intended for. The device allows the author to get their message across to the main audience. The usage of slang can either stress the point to the reader or it can make the writing sound informal.
Steps for Analysis:
Understand Slang
What is Slang?
How does this help or hurt the book (or piece of reading) ?
Identify the context the word is being used in
What audience does this device help them connect with?
How does this phrase/expression help them connect with their audience?
Does it connect with age groups, cultures, or etc?
Example:
A parliament speech given by Barack Obama in Australia serves as a great example of Slang. Obama said, “As an eight-year-old, I couldn’t always understand your foreign language. (Laughter.) Last night I did try to talk some "Strine." (Laughter.),”. Strine is Australian slang. Slang can be used in different countries as well there is Australian, UK, American, and etc slang. Barack Obama's intention with slang is to connect his childhood and his travels to Australia to the Australians to help connect with them. This shows that one of the primary intentions with using slang is to connect with the audience. This speech is also an example of irony because it is ironic that the president would use slang in his speech to make a joke. The main intention with slang was to help connect with the audience in Australia
("Remarks By President Obama to the Australian Parliament." The White House President Barack Obama, 17 Nov. 2011, obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/11/17/remarks-president-obama-australian-parliament. Accessed 6 Sept. 2022.)