Language Analysis VCE English (Grade A+)
Summary:
This guide provides a rich assortment of vocabulary and phrases to influence a reader’s perception and reaction. By categorizing words that evoke feelings, thoughts, or actions, writers can easily navigate the desired emotional landscape of their audience. Whether it’s using active verbs that denote positive, questioning, or negative connotations, comparative phrases for drawing contrasts or similarities, or tone words that range from biased and logical to humorous and dishonest, there’s a plethora of options available. One notable illustration is using the verb “warns” when discussing online privacy to instil alarm.
Excerpt:
Language Analysis VCE English
Specific Effect on the Reader
| Feel | Think | Do |
| Feel sympathy for | Consider | Respond |
| Fear | Agree | Reject |
| Dislike | Think | Lose sympathy for |
| Distrust | Understand | Lose patience with |
| Like | Realise | Call for action |
| Included | Disagree | Challenge |
| Outraged | Believe | |
| Nostalgic | Reject | |
| Concerned |
Using Active Verbs (avoiding overusing persuades)
The writer/author…
| Positive | Questions | Negative |
| Promotes | Challenges | Insinuate |
| Proposes | Probes | Undermine |
| Enhance | Impugns | Criticise |
| Elicits | Queries | Mocks |
| Encourages | Explores | Undermines |
| Accentuates | Reviews | Confronts |
| Appeals | Reflects | Condemns |
| Foster | Aggravate | |
| Inspires | Denigrates | |
| Enliven | Devalues | |
| Signify | Downgrades | |
| Evokes | Alarms | |
| Induces | Warns | |
| Contents | Alerts | |
| Connotes | ||
| Engender |
Example: Funder warns users of Google that they can be “physically tracked” and questions whether “privacy still exists”, thus clearly reinforcing the inherent dangers associated with the everyday activity of “googling”.
Comparative Phrases
| Similar Point | Contrasting Point |
| In addition | Conversely |
| Likewise | However |
| Moreover | In contrast |
| Similarly | Objecting to this view |
| Comparably | On the contrary |
Biased
| Biased | Having or showing an unreasonable opinion |
| Dispassionate | Unbiased, not affected by your feelings or bias about something |
| Phlegmatic | Not easily excited to action or feeling; cool or self-possessed |
| Impassioned | Filled with passion; ardent/fervent |
Logical – Matter-of-fact
| Sensible | Having or showing good sense |
| Logical | Based on correct reasoning |
| Circumspect | Watchful on all sides, cautious, prudent |
| Diplomatic | Saying the right thing in situations to avoid offending people |
| Prudent | Careful and wise in a practical way |
| Credible | Able to be taken seriously; worthy of trust and respect; trustworthy |
| Rational | Sensible and reasonable |
| Considered | Presented or thought out with care |
| Irrational | Not rational; but based on rational judgement |
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