English Works

Building an analytical vocabulary

girl thinkingIt is critical to keep expanding your analytical vocabulary so that you can as accurately, and as insightfully, analyse the implications of the author’s reasons, tactics and words.

On the Attack: Use the following sentences as a model. Refer to The Language of Persuasion: become an expert for a list of analytical terms and definitions. These words are modelled throughout the Expert Responses for this workbook.

Choose an article in the workbooks, such as Techniques of Persuasion, pp. 39-43 or The Language of Persuasion: become an expert, pp. 35-38.)  Write a series of sentences using the terminology below. In addition, use appropriate and corresponding tone words. (See “critical” and “angry” on Tone List.)

  1. The radio interviewer casts aspersions upon (to make a harmful remark or criticism; to find fault with) the expert’s credentials and association with the coal lobby.
  2. The writer challenges (to call into question; to take exception to) the view that more people will commute by public transport.
  3. The author impugns (to call into question; to challenge as false) the expert’s credentials and reliance on outdated sources.
  4. The environmentalists decry/condemn (to speak badly/disparagingly of; to disapprove of) the plan to log sections of the heritage-listed forest in Tasmania.
  5. The parents’ group is sceptical of (does not believe in something that most other people accept without question; doubts) the Government’s plan to introduce Free Fruit Fridays.
  6. on the attackThe author censures (to disapprove of, criticise, find fault with)the food industry groups that flout the advertising regulations and exploit young children.
  7. The editor discredits (to lower other people’s opinion of/on; to cause not to be believed; to destroy confidence in) ) the Government’s proposal to introduce “fat” police to monitor people’s weight and give on-the-job health checks.

See The Language of Persuasion: become an expert, p. 76.
Please download the attached tone word test and do a few “match-up” sessions to remember the words.
Tone Test One
Tone Test Four

Jenny

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