Information, persuasion and registerTexts 8, 10 and 11

Lesson Objectives:To consider how informative texts are organised

and presentedTo distinguish between factual from

persuasive/opinionative writingTo begin to compare texts

Key Terms

Phrasal Verbs – informal phrases that include a verb and a preposition (pick up, hang up)

Pun – play on wordsImperatives – verbs that give commandsConditional clause – a clause that qualifies a statement, usually

introduced by ‘if’Register – A type of language defined in terms of its

appropriateness for the type of activity or context in which the language is used.

Semantic field of....

• Soya• Quorn• Tofu• Pulses• Cous cous• Vegetables

Text 11 – The Vegetarian Society

• An informative text• How does it present and organise its

information?• SPAG the text in pairs• Write a general overview of text 11. Try to

comment on the general style of the language used and the significance of any contextual factors.

Level of Analysis Questions

Graphology and typography

How does the layout and various fonts/typefaces contribute to the effectiveness of the text

Lexis • The text addresses the audience directly as ‘you’ (using the second personal pronoun). How does this feature contribute to the overall style of the text?• The text uses modal verbs (can, will) and imperatives are used in each section. Highlight these two different types of verb and comment on their effect.

Grammar • Conditional clauses are used. Highlight these and describe why you think they are effective.• What proportion of the sentences are declaratives, imperatives or interrogatives? Comment on your findings

Semantics and pragmatics

• What effect would having a picture of Paul McCartney and Victoria Alderton create upon the reader?• What is the significance of the word ‘simple’ in the heading ‘Seven Simple Steps to going – and staying – vegetarian’?• Why do you think they have chosen ‘SEVEN’ steps?

Text Structure and discourse

Look at the order of the simple steps. What is noticeable about the order in which they have been placed. Comment in particular on step 1 and step 7.

Is it simply an ‘informative’ text? Identify any aspects of the text which are designed to encourage people to become vegetarian.

Example of an overview:

Text 11 is from a website and is informing potential vegetarians about how to become and stay vegetarian. It uses lots of encouraging language features such as modal verbs ‘You can’ and phrasal verbs ‘grown up’. The use of these two features together is particularly encouraging ‘Don’t be put off’. This type of informal and friendly language not only informs the reader about how to change their lifestyle but also acknowledges that it is a difficult decision and so provides reassurance – ironically really, as the headline is ‘Seven Simple Steps’...

Graphology and typography:

The graphology of the text is designed to make the information accessible by signposting each of the seven simple steps. The simple layout and typography (the only significant difference in style is in font size for the headline and italics for the quotes) mirrors the ‘simplicity’ of becoming a vegetarian. The use of photographs is effective. Paul McCartney is a familiar face and so may lure readers in, if they just happened to stumble across the website, and Vicoria Anderton is a real example of someone who has taken the advice given on the website.

Lexis:

The consistent use of the second person throughout is designed to engage the audience creating a personal tone, adding to the encouraging nature of the article.

The use of the imperative verbs creates an authoritative register to the text and will encourage readers to take the information seriously. While the modal verbs allow the reader to see that it is a lifestyle choice with options rather than just being strict and confining ‘you can view hundreds of recipes’.

Grammar:

The conditional clauses in the text add to the informality of the register. Again, it is showing that being a vegetarian is not restricting in any way and the process of becoming vegetarian is simple and enjoyable: ‘As you get more confident’, ‘If it suits you to do things gradually’.

The only example of an interrogative sentence is from Paul McCartney. All other sentences in the article are declarative or imperative. This adds to the authoritative register and makes the reader take the information seriously and trusts the source. The lack of questions illustrates that it really is that simple.

Semantics and Pragmatics

Paul McCartney is a well known figure in the world of vegetarianism and his face will reassure readers that this is a trusted source. The picture of Victoria Alderton also reassures the reader that the website is true to its word – that becoming a vegetarian is simple – even she has done it!

The word simple is clear. As opposed to ‘easy’ it is perhaps indicating that the journey to vegetarianism is not without its obstacles, and once you have achieved it your life will become a lot more ‘simple’.

Seven steps as opposed to say 10, makes it more achievable in the reader’s mind

Text 8 – Bisto Advertisement• All Adverts have the purpose of PERSUASION• Every now and again a clever advertising

executive will create an ‘advert’ under the disguise of something else – it’s a subtle persuasive technique

• Think about it, no consumer likes to feel like they are easily manipulated, which is why this type of advertising is actually very effective...

• Let’s take a closer look at text 8...

Text 8

• One genre of text (an advertisement) masquerading as another (a recipe from a cook book).

• Recall as many PERSUASIVE techniques as you can... 5 minutes.

Find the following in the text:• PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES• Personal Pronouns• Flattery• Loan Words • Persuasive presentational features• Humour (VERY subtle!)• Colloquial language

• Conventions of INFORMATIVE texts• Personal Pronouns• Imperatives• Discourse Markers• Listing• Informal register

What you will hopefully notice is that there is a lot of cross over between the two types of writing.

In your own words create a SUMMARY of Text 8.

This will hopefully lead you towards discussing the PRAGMATICS of the text. Because we are considerate readers, there are subtle clues that tell us it is an ADVERTISEMENT rather than just a RECIPE from a COOK BOOK. Explain.

ANALYSIS - Lexis• Yvonne’s Tasty Tips – parodying the language of TV cookery

programmes• Personal pronouns just like in a TV cookery programme when the

chef talks directly to the audience• Imperatives familiar to the semantic field of cooking: Heat, pop,

place• Ingredients listed with elision• Humour – stronganoff (pun) and ‘you can serve it with fresh

country vegetables but I find it easier to use a large spoon.’• Colloquialisms ‘off the telly’.• Loan words to imitate the dependency of foreign words in

cooking; ‘stroganoff’ ‘magnifique’.

ANALYSIS – graphology and typography

• Photograph of ‘Delia Smith’ imitator Julie Walters• Hand written font to add a personal touch• Yvonne’s Tasty Tips – written like the ‘aah’ on the Bisto

carton• The whole text imitates a 70s cook book – light brown

tones• Photograph of the finished article to appeal to the

readers – to show them how easy it is to create• Photograph strategically placed in the bottom corner

showing the Bisto product.

Overall ANALYSIS

• Text 8 persuades the reader by creating the illusion that Bisto has a taste of real ‘home cooked’ ingredients

• Creates the illusion of sophistication ‘magnifique’ and ‘beef stroganoff’ as opposed to Sunday roast!

• Ironic – tongue in cheek??

TEXT 10

• An informative (and persuasive) text about TRIPE.• Complete your annotations of this text – spot

features of INFORMATIVE and PERSUASIVE writing.

• Lexis• Graphology• Grammar• Register

Comparing Texts

Text ____ Text ___

Overview of text: genre, purpose, audience, relevant context, main ideas and attitudes

Significant stylistic features – eg, presentational features, structure of information, discourse features, register, lexical/grammatical features, other significant details

Choose 2 of the texts (text 8, text 11, text 10) to write a COMPARISON ANALYSIS.You will be expected to find SIMILARITIES and DIFFERENCES. Limit yourself to 4 features in each text.This will teach you to be specific – rather than briefly talking about SEVERAL features it is better to be DETAILED and SPECIFIC about a FEW, RELEVANT features...

Use your notes to write at least a page of analysis

• Compare and contrast the ways in which any 2 of texts 8, 10, 11 present information to their readers

• Refer to your ‘connectives chart’ to ensure that you are consistently comparing the texts throughout your analysis.