Some tips
This section of the English course, and indeed for all of your essays, it is important to use your metalanguage effectively. In a normal text-based essay, you will focus on the author’s narrative devices. In arguments/persuasive language, you will focus on a range of argument terms and persuasive terminology.
The Exam: Year 12: Section C: Finding an easier way to write your response.
1. Use one colour highlighter to highlight the author’s viewpoint/ “argument”. (Sometimes these points are self-evident and obvious; sometimes they are nuanced and veiled; sometimes they are hidden and glossed over.) Use your own words to nail their attitude; don’t rely on a quote to try to convey the author’s viewpoint.
2. Use another colour highlighter to identify the “written language” and the quotes that best support the author’s viewpoint. (Choose three of the best quotes and unpack, analyse the type of language/tone and link to the author’s viewpoint.) (In other words, contextualise the written language around arguments, not the other way around!)
3. Think about the chunk. Identify a key overarching argument technique that binds the examples, phrases, word choices together. (This will ensure that your paragraph has a sharp, unified focus and avoids a shopping list style, word-level analysis, which limits “depth of analysis/purpose”.
PARAGRAPH 1: criticism of the lack of service and the poor attitude of staff
(Sentence 1: Point of view/tone/attitude) (Disheartening /critical and disappointed tone) One of Mr Jenkins’s criticisms is the poor customer service ethos as exemplified by the employees.
(Sentence 2: Argument basis) Mr Jenkins opens the review with a lengthy (background) description of the “village” type atmosphere (and the friendliness/congeniality) of the High Street shopping precinct (“our small strip of shops has always been the heart of our community”); Jenkins also refers to his 20-year experience as a reviewer and a “dedicated foodie” to establish his passion and candour (“I have been warm in my praise for the successful cafes”)
(Sentence 3/purpose):The purpose of his opening paragraph(s) is to emphasise that he is a fair and decent community citizen; he encourages all citizens in the neighbourhood to continue to prioritise friendliness and service… . He also uses this background material to compare the service and quality of the “newly opened café – Calmer Coffee”
4. Use your metalanguage smartly, so as to avoid summarising and to ensure the spotlight is on purpose, taking into account audience segments.
- Using emotive language to describe the staff as “bored” and “tired of the drudgery”, Jenkins hopes/expects that prospective clients will recognise that this café will only disappoint.
- By describing the staff as disengaged with customers, he anticipates that many of his readers will patronise the more friendly café shops such as Flo’s Pattiserie.
For a detailed response, see our Extended List: VCAA VCE Exams Section C