Topic Seven (1.7): Analysing Language – Word Classes, Grammar and Lexis

Introduction Icon.png Introduction

In this topic, we are going to look closely at some key elements of language in preparation for writing analytically about unseen texts. You will have encountered some of these at (I)GCSE, but please note that the level of detail expected at AS level is greater than at (I)GCSE and so you will need to learn additional terminology across the next few topics in order to build up a more varied and precise critical vocabulary.

You should have the glossary from Mastering English Literature to hand as you study this topic and make a note of any additional terms as they come up in your reading. Remember that there are two online glossaries of literary terms in General Resources as well. You will also find the list of Useful Terminology for Analysing Prose Texts from Topic 1.1 provides a helpful checklist.

Perhaps ironically, ‘word’ is one of the least useful words you can use in an English Literature essay, because all words belong to a specific word class, so there is always something more precise to say.  We begin here by recapping on word classes, which you will have learnt about in the past. You don’t need to identify all of these in your analytical work or ‘feature-spot’ but you should certainly understand what each one is.

Skills Icon.png Tasks

Word Classes

  • Remind yourself of the eight word classes using the following resources and add to your notes.
  • Please note that you should know most of this grammar anyway, but it is helpful to refresh your understanding now so you can add detail to your analytical discussion. You do not have to use all of the detail included here in your essays, but suggestions are made in the documents about how some of these terms will be useful to you when analysing literary texts.

Download READ – Nouns

Download READ – Adjectives

Download READ – Verbs

Download READ – Adverbs

Download READ – Pronouns

Download READ – Determiners

Download READ – Conjunctions

Download READ – Prepositions

Top Tip Icon.png Top Tip

The most useful word classes to discuss in English Literature essays are likely to be adjectives, verbs and adverbs as these are fundamental to descriptions, but it’s helpful to be able to identify all eight word classes to show you understand the building blocks of language and how they work together.

Skills Icon.png Tasks

Sentence Types and Functions

  • You should also be able to distinguish between different types of sentence and their functions.
  • Remind yourself of these using the following resources and add to your notes.

Download READ – Types of Sentence 

Download READ – The Functions of Sentences

Consolidate Icon.png Consolidate

  • The following extract is taken from the autobiography, My Family and Other Animals (1956), by Gerald Durrell.
  • Read it and make notes on the ways in which Durrell uses a wide variety of adjectives, verbs and adverbs to describe the wildlife. Notice how vivid these descriptions are.

READ – Extract from My Family and Other Animals (1956) by Gerald Durrell (Autobiography)

Top Tip Icon.png Terminology Tips

Language, Diction and Lexis

  • The term ‘language’ is rather broad in this subject, so it’s a good idea to begin using more specific words in your essays at AS.
  • The term ‘diction’ is an umbrella term that refers to a writer’s choice of words.
  • 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 love is like a battle…’
    • ‘The writer uses negative lexis to introduce the character, 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’).
  • Make sure you understand any new literary terminology covered in this topic. You may like to make flashcards of key terms now, to help you with revision later on.