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How does the writer use language to...?
How does the writer use language to...?
This question assesses your ability to:
Explain, comment on and analyse how writers use language and structure to achieve effects and influence readers, using relevant subject terminology to support their views
It will ask you to analyse a specific section of a source (typically a descriptive paragraph) for language techniques. Students should not only identify a variety of techniques within the paragraph, but they should also look to develop a detailed explanation which includes: why the author uses the technique, how it affects readers, how it conveys the author's message, and any other relevant analysis.
Suggested time: 8 minutes
Top tips:
Make sure you are focused on the language (words, phrases) being used in the text.
Use Tier 3 (Key) vocabulary in your response, such as: simile, metaphor, personification, oxymoron, symbolism, etc.
Use short, precise quotations in your work to emphasise your ideas.
Remember to use PETE or PETAZ structure in your response (you do not need to link to context in this question).
Annotate your extract (not your answer) to help you keep focused.
What are some language techniques? Write them down, then check your answer.
What are some language techniques? Write them down, then check your answer.
Simile
Metaphor
Onomatopoeia
Alliteration
Sibilance
Sensory Language
Emotive Language
Repetition
Asyndetic List
Oxymoron
Hyperbole
Personification
Pathetic Fallacy
Assonance
Consonance
Colloquial language
Dialect
Dialogue
Dissonance
Imagery
Irony
Pathos
Rhyme
Symbolism
Lexical (Word) Choice
Semantic Field
Need some revision to build your confidence with these techniques? Try the links below.
Sample Question and Answer
Sample Question and Answer
Q2: Look in detail at this extract, from lines 9 to 14 of the source:
How does the writer use language here to describe Zoe's feelings?
You could include the writer's choice of:
Words and phrases
Language features and techniques
Sentence forms
Check Your Answer
Check Your Answer
In order to self-evaluate your answer, compare it to the sample below. Please note, that this is not a model or complete answer for each section and should only be used for the basis of comparison to see how detailed your paragraphs are by comparison.
Here is a sample of what a top-marks answer may look like:
Here is a sample of what a passing answer may look like:
Remember, your answer should be multi-paragraph and detailed. Only use the responses above to help judge the quality of your paragraphs and self-assess your work.
Sample question and answer taken from AQA Language Paper 1 November 2019
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