Quote words (or short) phrases that best capture the author’s views, and their tone, style and attitude. Explain the significance of the quoted phrase:
- Language: (symbolic, colloquial, alliterative, clichéd; idiomatic; figurative; metaphoric; emotive; inclusive);
- Mr Brown’s emotive reference to a world that is full of “doom and gloom and debt” foregrounds the despair that is haunting many parents and their children. Accordingly, parents are challenged to reflect upon …
- The statistical reference to the fact that there has been a 56 per cent increase in “disability affected life-years” is designed to alarm residents of Manningham. Those who have experience with …
2. Tone: How does it reflect the author’s tone and attitude?
- The sarcastic reference to the “continuous taxi service” is designed to shame those parents who, she believes, are foolishly undermining their child’s independence.
- Mr Harding uses a high-minded tone to warn educational policy officers as well as general members of the community the TAFE budgetary cuts will leave “everyone in the community worse off”. Choose words with double meanings/connotations
3. Figurative and emotive language has connotations.
The coach: “The boy should toughen up”:
- The emotive phrase – to “toughen up” — connotes a sensitive mindset.
- The coaches’ emotive phrase – to toughen up – insinuates that those who wear helmets are less courageous.
Taking it further – draw out main points and author’s purpose and intentions, p. 12
3.3 Words with double meanings/connotations, p. 17
Warm-up exercises
- The image of “free range” chickens connotes an unruly mass of boisterous children.
- The depiction of a Minister reading the “tea leaves” connotes an official who is irrational and misguided.
- The mocking image of a “tea-leaves”-reading Minister carries negative connotations. It implies that he is irrational and illogical.
- The correlating images of the “low sugar products” and the low tar cigarettes carry negative connotations – both are poisonous.
- The alarming image of feral children ravaging the restaurant connotes an ill-disciplined “free –range” chicken.
Analytical depth – imagery and figurative language, tone and style p. 15-17
Signpost word-level analysis and make sure you tick off the criteria for “analytical depth”
Unpack words with double meanings or phrases that are ambiguous (open to several interpretations
- The fearful (alarming) image of feral children ravaging the restaurant connotes ill-disciplined free-range chicken. The implication is that such children are disturbing the peace of others. The image also serves to reassure those parents who are reluctant to discipline their children through smacking.
- The idiomatic (clichéd; figurative) reference to “toeing the line” implies that the marketing companies need to adhere to official policies in order to better care for public health needs. In doing so, Ms Carren implores government officials to enforce their solutions. She isolates those who rely on the fast-food companies and, who, she suggests, neglect their public duties.