It 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.)
- 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.
- The writer challenges (to call into question; to take exception to) the view that more people will commute by public transport.
- The author impugns (to call into question; to challenge as false) the expert’s credentials and reliance on outdated sources.
- The environmentalists decry/condemn (to speak badly/disparagingly of; to disapprove of) the plan to log sections of the heritage-listed forest in Tasmania.
- 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.
- The author censures (to disapprove of, criticise, find fault with)the food industry groups that flout the advertising regulations and exploit young children.
- 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