Topic Four (1.4): Language and Style
Introduction
‘Language’ and ‘style’ are both huge umbrella terms in this subject. In this topic, you will examine some of the concepts that fall into these categories in more detail. Pay close attention to any new terminology you encounter as you read.
Read and Make Notes
Read pages 14 to 16, up to ‘Word Classes’ in the textbook and make notes.
Terminology Tips
Language, Diction and Lexis
- The term ‘language’ is too broad in this subject, so it’s a good idea to begin using more specific words in your essays at AS.
- The term ‘diction’ refers to a writer’s choice of words; it is more commonly used in English Literature when analysing fictional texts. A better term to use in English Language is ‘lexis’ because you will be analysing a much wider range of texts.
- The term ‘lexis’ means ‘vocabulary’ specifically. In analytical points, it should normally be used with some kind of adjective in front of it, e.g.
- ‘The writer’s use of military lexis here suggests we must fight climate change…’
- ‘The writer uses negative lexis to express his anger about the political situation, for example…’
- ‘Religious lexis is employed to compare the garden to the Garden of Eden…’
Lexical or Semantic Field
- A useful related concept to discuss is ‘lexical field’ or ‘semantic field’. These mean the same thing – a group of words connected with a particular subject used for a specific effect, e.g.
- ‘The writer uses a semantic field of entrapment/death/love/water/decay/flying to suggest…’ (It could be any topic or ‘field’).
Tasks
- Complete Activities 1 and 2 in the textbook.
- Read the following poem and consider the different lexical/semantic fields that the poet uses. What is the effect of mixing these together? (N.B. You will not be asked to analyse poetry in the exams, but this exercise is about understanding the importance of lexical/semantic fields).
READ – ‘Valentine’ by Carol Ann Duffy (Scottish Poetry Library) Links to an external site.
Hypernyms and Hyponyms
- Another way in which similar words are connected can be shown through hypernyms and hyponyms. See the following document for an explanation of these:
PRINT OUT & READ – Hypernyms and Hyponyms Download PRINT OUT & READ – Hypernyms and Hyponyms
Synonyms and Antonyms
- Words can also be connected by having similar meanings (synonyms) and opposite meanings (antonyms). See the following definitions and add to your notes, including examples.
READ – Synonym Definition (Cambridge Dictionary) Links to an external site.
READ – Antonym Definition (Cambridge Dictionary) Links to an external site.
Tone and Register
- Two other key elements to consider when analysing language are tone and register. See the links below for definitions of these terms and make notes:
READ – Tone (Literary Devices) Links to an external site.
READ – Register: Formal, Informal and Neutral (Really Learn English) Links to an external site.
- Register is closely linked to levels of formality and can be thought of as being a spectrum from very informal (e.g. a text message) to very formal (e.g. a business letter or textbook). Any text appears somewhere on this scale, but also be aware that the register can sometimes change within a text.
- N.B. Academic essays, such as the ones you will be writing in your assignments on this course and in your exams should always be written in a formal, academic register. To understand more about what we mean by ‘an academic register’, see the following webpage and complete the activities:
READ – Introduction to Academic Register (University of York) Links to an external site. – Try the tests at the bottom of the page
Top Tip
The following document provides a list of tips to help you write in a suitably formal register in your own essays. Read this very carefully and print it out so you can refer to it regularly when writing your assignments.
PRINT OUT & READ – Writing Well in AS and A Level English Language Essays Download PRINT OUT & READ – Writing Well in AS and A Level English Language Essays
Terminology
Make sure you understand all the key terms covered in this topic and highlight these on your glossary. You may like to make flashcards of key terms now, to help you with revision later on.