How is the text positioned?

Context?

Purpose?

Audience?

Language?

Form?

WHY has this text been made?

WHO has this text been made for?

HOW has the text been constructed?

Step 1: Identify the CONTENTION of

the material.

Remember: The

CONTENTION is what the

writer/author/ artist/person

is trying to ARGUE.

Try to sum up their

argument in a sentence!

Step 2: Identify the TONE of the

material.

Calm

Controlled

Diplomatic

Moderate

Open-minded

Reasonable

Respectful

Sensible

Apologetic

Remorseful

Nostalgic

Sentimental

Cautious

Conservative

Guarded

Amused

Humorous

Ridiculing

Sarcastic

Satirical

Animated

Enthusiastic

Passionate

Zealous

Forthright

Matter-of-fact

Unequivocal

Admiring

Appreciative

Approving

Benevolent

Conciliatory

Friendly

Supportive

Sympathetic

Understanding

Earnest

Humble

Modest

Authoritative

Educated

Formal

Arrogant

Boastful

Condescending

Defensive

Patronising

Self-righteous

Moralising

Pedantic

Cynical

Negative

Pessimistic

Scathing

Vindictive

Patriotic

Alarmed

Outraged

Shocked

Disappointed

Discouraged

Dismayed

Regretful

Aggressive

Attacking

Forceful

Hostile

Annoyed

Appalled

Critical

Apathetic

Step 3: Identify the ARGUMENTS

that support the contention.

A person will

provide several

arguments to back

up their contention

and explain why

they are right. Find

them!

Step 4: Identify the LANGUAGE and

PERSUASIVE DEVICES.

EVIDENCE

Facts and Statistics

Anecdotal Evidence

Hypothetical Evidence

Expert Evidence

CONTENT

Attacks

Clichés

Generalisations

Hyperbole

Humour

Logic & Reason

LITERARY

TECHNIQUES

Repetition

Rhetorical Questions

Sensationalism

Similes & Metaphors

Alliteration

LANGUAGE

Emotive Language

Inclusive Language

Exclusive Language

Formal Language

Colloquial Language

APPEALS TO…

Appeal to Fear

Appeal to Safety

Appeal to Patriotism

Appeal to the ‘Hip

Pocket’

Appeal to Tradition

Appeal to Family

Values

OTHER LANGUAGE

CHOICES…

Step 5: Discuss the IMPACT of

these techniques on how the

argument is presented.

Summary of approaching a Media Text:

Identify the

CONTENTION

and TONE of the

material

Identify the

ARGUMENTS that

are presented to

support this

contention

Identify the

LANGUAGE and

PERSUASIVE

DEVICES that are

used to influence

the audience

Discuss the IMPACT

of these

decisions/techniques

on how the argument

is presented

Option 1: Segmented Approach

• Discuss each article and visual source in turn, beginning with the main article, then turning to supporting articles and ending with visual sources.

Option 2: Integrated Approach

• Discuss the articles in tandem, guided by the main article.

• Use the structure of the main article (i.e. its arguments) to structure your response.

• Discuss supporting articles when they raise a COMPLEMENTARY or CONTRASTING argument to the main article.

Introduction

What is the ISSUE being discussed?

What is the CONTEXT of each text?

• Who is the writer and what is the title of the article?

• What is the form of the article?

• What is the name of the publication?

• What is the writer’s relationship to the issue (if you know)?

• Is there any vested interest in the issue (if you know)?

What is the CONTENTION of each text?

What is the TONE of each text?

Who is the likely AUDIENCE of the texts?

Body Paragraphs

What is the FIRST ARGUMENT/IDEA presented in the main article?

What TECHNIQUES are used to express this argument? Give

examples.

What LANGUAGE is used to express this argument? Give examples.

What is the possible/likely EFFECT on the audience of the article?

NOTE: Is there an equivalent argument in a supporting text (i.e. are

they saying the same thing or are they arguing the opposite

perspective)? If so, then also discuss how the argument has been

presented in the other text.

Final Body Paragraph

Discuss any remaining elements of supporting

texts that have not yet been discussed (especially

regarding the visual source)

Alternatively, you can also end on a brief final

comparison between the texts, discussing any

notable differences or trends in terms of audience,

techniques or approaches to the issue.

Final Body Paragraph (Remaining elements of supplementary texts not yet discussed or a final comparison of different approaches, techniques and/or audiences between texts)

Body Paragraph 2 (Main text’s Second Argument)

Body Paragraph 1 (Main text’s First Argument)

Introduction

Body Paragraph 3 (Main text’s Third Argument)