Analyzing Media Texts: Understanding Contention, Tone, and Arguments, Assignments of English Language

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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 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…

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?

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)