Chapters
Throughout your GCSEs, you are expected to be able to show an understanding of both the language and structure of a text. This links in with the audience, purpose, and how the text is presented to make a certain point.
Language choices can be very nuanced. Writers spend a lot of time considering what kind of language they will use and the impact it may have. To show your knowledge, ensure you have an excellent working knowledge of nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, and adjectives.
| Pronouns | Pronouns like he, she, and they are words used to replace nouns, helping to avoid repetition and maintain clarity in writing. |
| Nouns | Nouns are words that represent people, places, things, or ideas in sentences. |
| Verbs | Verbs are action words that express what a subject does or the state it is in. |
| Adverbs | Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to provide more information about how, when, where, or to what degree an action or quality takes place. |
| Adjectives | Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns, providing more information about their qualities or characteristics. |
Many of the choices of language include specific literary devices and language features. Being able to spot and analyze these can show your understanding of English. Many features are explained below.
Simile
"The cafe was like a battleship stripped for action"
Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises
A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using "like" or "as." It is used to create vivid imagery and help readers understand something unfamiliar by relating it to something more familiar.
Similes are frequently employed in non-fiction writing to make descriptions more relatable and engaging. For instance, in a travel article, a writer might describe a picturesque landscape as "green as an emerald," allowing readers to visualize the vibrant colours.
Metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly asserts a comparison between two unrelated things, suggesting that one thing is another. Unlike similes, metaphors do not use "like" or "as" to make the comparison.
Metaphors are often used in non-fiction writing to convey deeper meanings and evoke emotions. In a motivational book, an author might use the metaphor "life is a journey" to encourage readers to view their experiences as part of a giant adventure.
Alliteration
"The Soul selects her own Society-
Emily Dickinson
Then - shuts the Door -"
Alliteration refers to repeating the initial consonant sounds in neighbouring words or syllables. It is used to create rhythm, emphasize certain words, and enhance the overall musicality of the writing.
Alliteration is used in various forms of non-fiction writing to draw attention to specific phrases or concepts. In a historical essay, a writer might use alliteration to emphasize critical events, such as "the battle for freedom and the triumph of truth."
Pathetic Fallacy
Pathetic fallacy is a literary device in which human emotions or traits are attributed to nature or inanimate objects. It's used to create a particular atmosphere or mood in a scene.
Pathetic fallacy can be used in non-fiction writing, such as descriptive nature writing or personal narratives, to evoke emotions in the reader. For instance, a memoirist might describe the weather as gloomy during a sad moment, enhancing the scene's emotional impact.
Emotive Language
Emotive language involves words and phrases designed to evoke specific emotional responses from the reader. It creates a stronger connection between the reader and the content.
Emotive language is often employed in persuasive writing, such as opinion pieces and advertisements, to influence readers' feelings and opinions. In a charity campaign, emotive language might evoke compassion and encourage donations.
Rule of Three
The rule of three is a rhetorical principle suggesting that things that come in threes are inherently more satisfying and effective in communication. It involves presenting three related points or ideas.
The rule of three is commonly used in non-fiction writing to enhance clarity and memorability. In a speech about the benefits of exercise, a presenter might list "health, energy, and confidence" as the three main advantages.
Personification
Personification is a figure of speech in which human attributes or qualities are assigned to non-human entities, animals, or abstract concepts. It's used to make descriptions more vivid and relatable.
Non-fiction writing frequently uses personification to bring concepts to life and make them more relatable. In a science article, the author might describe the wind as "whispering through the trees," adding a human-like quality to the natural phenomenon.
The SQUID Method
To analyse language choice, you can use the SQUID method.
S – Statement – start with identifying the language feature
Qu – Quote – following quote this in your answer to an exam question or in the essay
I – Infer – what is the inference? What is implied by the text? A simile 'like a rock' can imply solidity, stability, or stillness.
D – Develop – finally, develop your ideas and provide a strong analysis of why you think like this.
Structure in Non-Fiction
Structure plays a crucial role in non-fiction text types as it serves as the framework that organizes and presents information in a coherent and effective manner. A well-structured non-fiction text enhances clarity, engagement, and the overall impact of the content on the reader.
Think about what the writer is trying to achieve.
A structured non-fiction text guides readers through a logical sequence of ideas, ensuring that information is presented in a coherent and easy-to-follow manner. This logical flow helps readers understand the content without confusion and allows them to grasp complex concepts more readily.
The structure of a non-fiction piece could be:
- chronological – in date or time order
- prioritized – facts first and then further explanation (like a news article)
- separated into blocks by subheadings – this is the case in most website articles
- question and answer – like FAQ sections or in information leaflets
- letter structure – a traditional format with a salutation (Dear…) and an appropriate ending (Yours sincerely…)
There are no specific rules, and writing can be structured in many different ways, but think about how certain things are written and what the reason for this is.
The best way to understand the structure and its impact is to read different types of texts. Choose a type of writing (a letter, a speech, a blog post, or a how-to guide) and ask:
- Why is it structured this way?
- What is the writer trying to achieve?
- Are the sentences and paragraphs long or short? Why?
- What point is the writer trying to make? How does the structure impact this?
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Great site with a lot of resources. Thank You so much.
Hi Anneme! Thanks for your lovely comment, glad to hear that you found these resources useful! Best of luck with your revision! :)
thank you for helping me with my work
Wow. I can’t imagine what sources were used for this, but they clearly weren’t reliable. “During the first half of the twentieth century, America was open to immigrants from all parts of Europe”—nope. Look up the Immigration Act of 1924, and keep in mind it didn’t come out of nowhere. It wasn’t significantly revised until 1952 and was only replaced in 1965. It’s not exactly a secret Americans overall were distinctly unwelcoming toward Italian immigrants for quite some time. I’m not sure how many were victims of hate crimes in total, but not everyone murdered in the lynching epidemic was Black.
“However, Italian immigrants, especially from southern Italy or Sicily, held on to their ancient values”—don’t most of us do that? This smacks of xenophobia, and it gets worse from there. “Italy has a violent past due to criminal organizations like the Mafia…” I don’t even know where to start with this, but I see this is a UK site. Do you not realize how violent your own history is? Do you think Italians are monolithic? Even if your portrayal of the mafia’s significance were accurate, what makes a mafia don so different from one of the many capricious, overly entitled English monarchs throughout your history?
To be clear, I don’t want your answers to any of these questions. I want you to properly research your subjects before attempting to teach others about them.