speech analysis ib english

Analysing Speeches

Rhetorical Appeals Video 

One of the most common ways to analyse a speech is by looking at its rhetorical appeals. Watch the video to learn more about this, and remember that logical appeals can also be labelled as such: 

Pathos - Pathetic Appeal 

Logos - Logical Appeal 

Ethos - Ethical Appeal

Also, because speeches are non-literary texts, we can see how real-world things are depicted for Level Two Analysis

An Example of Analysing Rhetoric

Read this example of analysing Barack Obama's speech, 'Remarks by the President in Address to the Nation on Immigration'. As you read it, pay attention to the line of analysis. When we analyse speeches, we often consider the target audience or purpose of the text in out Level Three Analysis.

Dig Deeper - Rhetoric

Click the image to follow access some extra material related to graphic novels. Use these resources to deepen your understanding of the different ways in which authors develop meaning in speeches.

Extra Practice

Rhetoric Analysis Practice

Rhetorical Appeals in Ads Worksheet  

Back to Text Types

IB English Individual Oral Solved: A Guide for Lit and Lang/Lit Students

The IB English Individual Oral (IO) is one of the most daunting IB assessments. But it can be made so much easier by understanding how to prepare a top-quality script and concise dot points so you can smash it on the day!

Today, we reveal our best approach to the IO including a structure which you can use as a foundation for your preparation and a breakdown of the marking criteria.

Selecting a Global Issue, Texts and Extracts

Start by choosing your texts. Try to choose texts that have interrelated themes – they don’t need to be exactly the same, but for instance you may choose one text which considers racial prejudice while another explores sexism. This would allow you to consider the common theme of ‘prejudice’, ‘oppression’ or ‘discrimination’ as a part of your global issue. Also, ensure they are texts that you enjoy and are confident to talk about, as you will be asked additional questions after your speech. For literature students, you will choose two literary texts while language and literature students will choose one literary and one non-literary text.

When selecting a global issue, start by selecting a real-world issue that is present within both texts and easy to identify. Some common examples include the patriarchy, authoritarianism, oppression, identity and grief. When wording your global issue, make sure to transform these singular word themes into holistic issues.

For example, rather than just ‘oppression’, your global issue may be ‘the oppressive nature of gender roles on self-expression’.

Finally when selecting an extract from each text, try to choose a section which is relevant to your global issue and is packed with devices for technical analysis.

While each school has their own way of structuring the IO, there are some common elements which are absolutely essential.

Introduction

1. Introduce the Global Issue – Global and Local Scale

Spend 1-2 sentences explaining your global issue, justifying its transnational and local impact – essentially explain how it is a ‘global’ issue and also one which is relevant on a smaller scale, such as how it has impacted your own life.

2. Introduce Texts, Extracts and Relate to the Global Issue

Introduce your texts and their connection to the global issue. You should also briefly introduce your extract (although you don’t need to contextualise just yet, this can happen later).

Main Body (for each text)

One highly contentious issue is how the main body should be structured. There are two main structures which we can recommend, each of which have the same components involving evidence from the extract and the broader body of work:

1. Integrated Analysis

Text 1 – Extract and Body of Work Integrated Analysis (3 Quotes/Examples from Extract and 3 from BOW)

Text 2 – Extract and Body of Work Integrated Analysis (3 Quotes/Examples from Extract and 3 from BOW)

In this structure, you alternate between extract and body of work analysis, using the extract as a ‘springboard’ to discuss the broader BOW. For example, if your extract quote considers the use of animalistic imagery as a method of dehumanising a character, you may jump from this analysis to a quote from the broader BOW which also considers either dehumanisation/animalistic imagery. The benefit of this structure is that there is thematic flow, although some schools may prefer you utilise an alternative structure which is more clearly divided.

2. Segmented Analysis

Text 1 – Extract Analysis (3 Quotes/Examples)

Text 1 – Body of Work Analysis (3 Quotes/Examples)

Text 2 – Extract Analysis (3 Quotes/Examples)

Text 2 – Body of Work Analysis (3 Quotes/Examples)

This structure is far simpler – you work through the selected evidence from the extract first and then your BOW separately. The benefit of this structure is its clear division between extract and BOW which allows you to maintain the flow of your analysis for each.

BUT HOW DO I CHOOSE BETWEEN THE STRUCTURE?

Very simple – propose both to your class teacher and let them decide which structure they prefer. Both structures have all the essential components and the IB doesn't express a preference for any specific structure.

And as for what goes into your analysis, it’s just like your usual English analysis – quote/provide evidence, identify a technical device, analyse the effect of the technical device and link to the global issue ( Hint: Mix around each of the QTAL elements to improve your flow ).

1. Reiterate the Global Issue

Briefly restate your global issue.

2. Restate the Main Point for Each Text (related to the Global Issue)

Summarise your main point on the global issue for each text.

Question Time

The first 10 minutes of the oral will be your prepared content, which is approximately 1300-1600 words for your script. The next 5 minutes will be spent responding to questions set by your teacher. These questions are designed to help you pick up marks in areas that were underdeveloped or unclear to your teacher. There are two ways to prepare for this component:

Learn your texts (REALLY, REALLY WELL): The more you know about your texts, the easier it will be to produce quality answers and spontaneously bring up evidence from the texts to support your points. Remember also to always link back to your global issue in your responses.

Practice, practice, practice!: Practice with your friends and peers, or seek help from one of our IB tutors. We have helped hundreds of students over many years through their internal assessments, including their IO, and we can provide in-class practices with helpful feedback that will have you prepped for your final IO.

The Marking Criteria

So, we have a structure to work from and we've looked at the questioning component, but how is this oral task going to be assessed? Let's break down the marking criteria so you can maximise your marks!

Criterion A: Knowledge, Understanding and Interpretation (10 marks)

This criterion is assessing your knowledge and understanding of both the body of work and extract – it's your job to show that you know the texts really well. Use evidence (at least 3 for each extract and 3 from the wider body of work, per text) and make sure you are always linking to the global issue. This is important, as the top band of this criterion requires you to make a "persuasive interpretation" of the implications of your text in relation to the global issue.

Criterion B: Analysis and Evaluation (10 marks)

This criterion is assessing your ability to analyse "authorial choices"…so literary and non-literary techniques. Make sure you consider a variety of techniques – these include specific features such as metaphors, similes, alliteration and broader features such as structure, tone, mood and voice. For language and literature students, particularly for your non-literary work, ensure you also analyse non-literary features. And as always, this criterion also assesses your ability to link the effect of these techniques back to your global issue.

Criterion C: Focus and Organisation (10 marks)

This criterion assesses a few different areas and it is REALLY easy to score highly, if you do three key things.

Stay focused on the Global Issue – You must maintain a "clear and sustained focus on the task" which means keeping in mind that every analytical point you make on the extracts/works should be directed to unpacking an element of your global issue.

Keep it Balanced – Your treatment of the extracts/works must be "well-balanced". This is assessed in many different ways – some schools take this criterion quite literally and will time how long is spent on extract vs body of work analysis, others will compare the number of pieces of evidence and some may simply consider the balance holistically and thematically. In any case, play it safe and make sure that your word counts for each section are relatively similar (within 50-100 words of each other).

Build your Global Issue – The development of your ideas must be "logical and convincing…connected in a cogent manner". This means that you must develop your global issue from the ground up – for example, if your global issue concerns rebellion against oppressive totalitarian authorities, your analysis may first involve a piece of evidence to establish the oppressive nature of the state and then your second piece of evidence can introduce an example of the protagonist rebelling against the totalitarian power.

Criterion D: Language (10 marks)

This criterion is very familiar across all your English tasks – make sure to refine your language and when actually presenting your oral, ensure that you sound enthusiastic and use an appropriate tone. Think about the most passionate English teacher you have had and then multiply that by 10…you want to sound like you are genuinely engaged with your analysis.

And that's it! This guide to the IO has given you everything you need to get started, but if you are looking to secure top marks, reach out to us and we can arrange sessions with our specialised IB tutors to help you prepare your script, practice and succeed in your English Individual Oral task!

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Study Guide for Paper 1 and Paper 2

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• Full assortment of graphic organizers
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New Videos for 2024

Political Cartoons – Reading

Political Cartoons – Writing

Poetry – Reading

Poetry – Writing

Advertising – Reading

Advertising – Writing

Prose Fiction – Reading

Prose Fiction – Writing

Comics – Reading

Paper 1 – Quick Tips and Tricks For All Students

We get it. Sometimes you don’t have the time to watch lots of videos and sort through lots of documents. If that describes you, then Andrew and Dave highly recommend checking out the videos below. They are short, sweet, and have loads of critical tips and tricks to help you succeed on Paper One.

Watch this before your next Paper 1 for important reminders.

Ten Tips for Paper One

Don't make these mistakes! Easy fixes that add points.

Ten Pitfalls to Avoid for Paper One

Nobody wants to sound like a robot. Add some voice, would you?

Adding Voice to Academic Writing

Start with a firm handshake and finish strong.

Sample Intro and Conclusion

Remember: Discuss HOW the author USES text to impact the READER.

Discussing Reader Effect

Criteria B demands evaluation of the effectiveness of authorial choices.

Adding Evaluation

Don't forget to read between the lines and discuss implications.

Discussing Implications

Watch this video right before your exam. Don't miss this checklist!

Paper 1 Checklist

Language and Literature - Countdown to Paper 1!

Do you have a summative assessment or mock exam coming up?  Are you cramming content at the last minute?  If you are a Language and Literature student and this describes you, then you have come to the right place.  Each of the following TEN text types has CLOSE READING and SAMPLE RESPONSES WITH EXAMINER COMMENTS.  There are also documents with text type conventions and various other resources you need to achieve academic success.  Watch the videos and crush Paper 1.

TEXT TYPE 1: WEBSITE

Conventions

Stimulus Text

Student Response

TEXT TYPE 2: SPEECH

Conventions More Conventions Stimulus Text

TEXT TYPE 3: LETTER

TEXT TYPE 4: PRODUCT REVIEW

Conventions Stimulus Text

TEXT TYPE 5: COMIC

LINK: BoW Grant Snider

TEXT TYPE 6: FILM REVIEW

TEXT TYPE 7: BROCHURE

TEXT TYPE 8: PSA

TEXT TYPE 9: TRAVEL WRITING

TEXT TYPE 10: TABLOID COVER

TEXT TYPE 11: ADVERTISING

TEXT TYPE 12: INFOGRAPHICS

Political cartoons.

Political cartoons are self-contained commentaries on an important current event or key aspect of society, and they’re humorous.  Look out for colors, symbols, and other hidden ideas lurking in the subtext.  Remember: just like literary authors, cartoonists make a series of choices in their work intended to shape meaning.  Look carefully.  Detect nuances and implications.  Evaluate.  Ace Paper 1.

Learn how to deconstruct political cartoons.

Cartoon Terms

Cartoon of Cartoon Terms

Now that you’ve learned some basic terms, let’s apply them to more cartoons.

Apply your new cartoon skills to academic writing.

Cartoon and Sample Writing

Sentence Stems for Analysis

Put it all together and check out this 7.

Advertising

They’re everywhere on our phones and screens.  Advertisers work to cut through the clutter, grab our attention, and subtly influence us to make choices to buy, buy, and buy some more.  Accordingly, Dave and Andrew believe it’s essential to learn the tips and tricks companies use to manipulate our attention and persuade us to act.  Check out these videos.  Not only will you improve your Paper 1 performance, but you will also be a more skilled and savvy consumer who is attuned to the features our favorite brands employ in their ads.

Learn key terms and how to break down ads.

Features of Advertising

Mnemonic for Deconstructing Ads

There's more to learn! Add these skills to your toolbox.

15 Techniques of Advertising

More Tools of Persuasion

Put it all together and write an organized piece of academic writing.

The Model Paragraph

Opinion Articles

Whether they agree with what’s happening in our world or not, writers of opinion columns implement a series of choices in their work to maximize their persuasive effect.  A close cousin of speeches, these short and complete texts pack a punch.  Look carefully at how they’re structured, how they use rhetoric, and how they end strong.  Learn this stuff.  It’s Paper 1 gold.

What tools do these writers use? Add these terms to your list.

Persuasive Elements in Opinion Articles

Now that you’ve got some basic skills and some terms under your belt, let’s apply them to three different opinion articles and see what we can do.

Put it all together and see what it looks like.

Paper One Student Sample (original)

Paper One Student Sample (highlighted)

Literary Text Types

Regardless of the course you are enrolled in, we’re all studying literature.  How is prose fiction different than prose nonfiction?  What about drama and poetry?  Are there any special skills and tips to learn?  We’ve got the answers to these questions and more down below.  Consume these resources and become a better critical reader and writer.  

Prose Fiction

What’s prose fiction?  Think novels.  Think short stories.  Think “imaginative” writing.  It’s one of the cornerstones of the course for a reason, as it teaches us about the human condition and fosters empathy.  Learn how to be a close reader of prose fiction and let your knowledge shine when you write your Paper 1.

Literature can be tough. This acronym for deconstruction will help.

SCASNI acronym for annotating fiction

Learn more about how our SCASNI protocol can foster deeper analysis.

SCASNI applied to a Paper One Text

Put it all together and check out this full Paper 1 response.

Paper One – Full Student Response

Prose Non-Fiction

This course requires exploration of nonfiction texts as well.  So what exactly is this stuff anyway?  Think memoirs.  Think travelogues.  Think philosophy and other insightful texts that present factual information in an entertaining and literary way.  We love prose non-fiction, and so do our students.  These were our mock exams as well as former IB exams.  

Remember: Paper 1 is a reading test first. Watch this video.

Assessment Text (original) Assessment Text (annotated)

Yes, diaries show up on assessments. Familiarize yourself with this text type.

Assessment Text (original)

Assessment Text (annotated)

We love a good memoir. Another former IB Lit assessment here.

Check out what this writer does. They know what they're doing!

Student Response (original) Student Response (highlighted)

Another strong Lit response. You getting the hang of this yet?

Student Response (original)

Student Response (highlighted)

Our final mock exam in this Lit series. Another strong response.

Student Response (original and highlighted) Three Different Styles of Introductions

Sure, we understand poetry is abstract, but we promise it can be fun! It’s complex and requires deep thinking, but that’s where the magic lives.  Check out the videos and documents below.  You’ll find poetic terminology, close reading strategies, and sentence stems to guide your writing.  Watch.  Learn.  Master.  You’ve got this!  

Just like any text type, poetry has its own set of terms. Learn them!

Poetic Terms

Sample Poem with Annotations

Now you know some terms. A few more pieces and you're on your way.

How to Read a Poem

Acronym for Analyzing Poetry

Words to Describe Mood and Tone

Maya Angelou Poem For Analysis

Let's practice our new skills with a nature poem from Mary Oliver.

Mary Oliver Poem for Analysis

Mary Oliver Poem (fully annotated)

Check out this former IB Exam where we break down a great poem.

Document: Poem – “Tyre Shop” by Bob Orr

Check out the full student response and compare your work to the sample.

Document: “Tyre Shop” – Full Student Response

Andrew and Dave love drama.  But, you’ve got to remember to pay attention to the stage directions. What can you see and hear on stage?  What props do you notice?  How are costume and staging used for effect?  So many things to explore!  It’s important to learn the basics for now, but stay tuned for more content in the future.  Our students love drama, and so will you.  Immerse yourself in this text type and enjoy!

We'll add more content soon. For now, master these important conventions of drama.

Dramatic Terms Annotated Passage

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Mastering the IB English Oral Commentary

The IB English Oral Commentary is a unique challenge that offers students a valuable opportunity to showcase their understanding and abilities.

In this comprehensive guide, Blen shares invaluable insights into the core elements of the oral commentary, along with top tips to excel in this crucial assessment.

Understanding the Individual Oral Commentary and Discussion:

The Individual Oral Commentary and Discussion is an internally-marked section of the IB English syllabus, accounting for 15% of the total marks. This formal exam is conducted individually and holds significant weight in the overall assessment, making it essential to approach it with thorough preparation.

Format of the Individual Oral Commentary and Discussion:

During the oral, a student is given an extract along with guiding questions and is granted twenty minutes to prepare their commentary, under supervision. The student then presents their commentary for eight minutes, followed by a two-minute question session with the teacher. Higher Level students engage in a ten-minute discussion referencing an additional studied text.

Text Selection for the Individual Oral Commentary and Discussion :

The text for the commentary is chosen from a prescribed list of authors, emphasizing the importance of understanding the authors rather than specific texts. The chosen text should typically be 20 to 30 lines long, with shorter lengths acceptable for poems. Students remain unaware of the selected text until the preparation period begins.

Marking Criteria for the Individual Oral Commentary and Discussion:

The grading criteria for this assessment encompass four key areas:

Knowledge and understanding: Demonstrating the ability to situate the text within its historical and cultural context.

Understanding of literary features: identifying and analyzing the literary techniques employed in the text and explaining their impact on the reader., organisation: ensuring a well-structured and coherent commentary that follows a logical flow of ideas., language: speaking formally with confidence, employing complex sentence structures to convey ideas effectively., preparation strategies for the individual oral commentary and discussion:.

To excel in the oral commentary, it is crucial to adopt effective preparation strategies:

Thoroughly familiarize yourself with the texts, focusing on their context, themes, and development.

Practice speaking in a formal style, building confidence by seizing every opportunity to speak in front of others., dive deeper into symbolism, mood, allusions, and complex ideas for higher-grade aspirations., develop a unique thesis or theory that reflects your individualized response to the texts, showcasing personal engagement..

With a solid understanding of the format, marking criteria, and diligent preparation, you can conquer the IB English Oral Commentary. Remember, this assessment is not only an evaluation of your knowledge but also an opportunity to showcase your analytical skills and personal perspective.

With the expert tips shared in this guide, you'll be well-equipped to excel and achieve success in the IB English Oral Commentary, demonstrating your understanding and abilities with confidence. So, embrace the opportunity, put your best foot forward, and unleash your linguistic prowess in this remarkable showcase of literary analysis.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, every ib english past paper available: free and official.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

In this article, I cover IB English Literature SL/HL , IB English Language and Literature SL/HL , and IB Literature and Performance SL exams. These are the core language A options for English speakers.

The IB English exams are essay based tests that require you to either a) analyze texts provided on the exam, or b) write analytical essays based on the books, poems, and other literature you've studied throughout the semester. That means one of the best ways to prepare for the exam is checking out past essays to see what writers did right...and where they got off track.

But where can you find IB English past papers, free and paid? Don't worry: we'll help you find past papers to study with and talk about how you can get the most out of these past papers during your study time.

feature image source: Books Stack Book Store Of /Pixabay

These past papers are free as a bird (or birds, in this case).

Where to Find Free IB English Past Papers: Official Resources

The IB has been cracking down on illegally uploaded past papers for the past few years, so a lot of previous sources are no longer available. IB has however, uploaded a few official past exams that you can view for free online. Below are links to the official IB English Past Papers provided by the IBO.

• English A: literature higher level/standard level: papers 1 & 2
• English A1 higher level: paper 2
• English standard level A2: paper 2

Since these are officially distributed by the IBO, these are the papers and exams you should use as a starting point as you study for your test. You need REAL IB English past papers to get realistic practice.

Where to Find Free IB English Past Papers: Unofficial Resources

Like we mentioned earlier, the IBO has been cracking down on unofficial English HL/SL papers online. However, there are still a few places where you can find past papers that have been uploaded by other users. 

One big caveat: these resources are unvetted, which means the quality of the papers is all over the place. Only use these resources after you've worked with—and studied!—the official papers above . And of course:  do not plagiarize  the ideas in any of the unofficial papers you find! 

IBResources.org 

This student-led initiative allows users to contribute past papers and other study resources to a free repository online. There are quite a few free English A SL/HL papers available on the site. You'll have to navigate a kind of clunky file interface to find them, but once you do, you'll have many free, unofficial papers to peruse. 

Reddit.com's IBO Subreddit

By searching the subreddit, you'll be able to find user-uploaded paper examples for the English IB exam . You'll have to sift through individual threads, but with some elbow grease, you'll find more free and unofficial English A SL/HL papers here. 

These papers aren't free...but if you're looking for high quality study resources beyond the official IBO ones above, these fit the bill.

Where to Find Paid IB English Past Papers

The only safe and reliable place to buy IB English past papers is from the IBO at the Follet IB Store . There are tons of scams floating around, so we don't recommend you purchase past IB English papers from anywhere else!

The IBO sells past IB English Literature SL papers, IB English Literature HL papers, IB English Language and Literature SL papers, IB English Language and Literature HL papers, and IB Literature and Performance SL papers from 2013 onward.

The site is somewhat hard to navigate, but using the search bar several times got me where I wanted to be eventually.

You're already giving maximum effort. Now maximize your outcomes! 

How to Get the Most of Each Past Paper

One complete test will take you 3 hours for SL or 4 hours for HL . If you are going to invest that much time, you need to be maximizing your learning. To do so, follow these rules.

Rule 1: Build up Your Endurance

The IBO used to split the English exam up over two days, so you would take one essay each day. As of 2021 that's no longer the case, meaning you'll have to take the full exam in one sitting. 

Here's what that means for you: you'll be doing  lots  of analyzing, writing, and thinking on test day. That can be exhausting! To make sure you have the energy you'll need to succeed, start building up your mental endurance now. 

The best way to do that is to have real-time practice sessions . On a weekend, set aside the three to four hours you'll have on test day, then write sample essays based on the writing prompts from past papers.  This will help you get a sense for what test day will be like, and you'll be able to optimize your writing process so you don't run out of time. 

Rule 2: Time Yourself

You need to get used to the timing. Here is the time allowed:

English Literature SL

• Paper 1 (Guided Textual Analysis)—1 hour 15 minutes
• Paper 2 (Comparative Essay)—1 hour 45 minutes

English Literature HL

• Paper 1 (Guided Textual Analysis)—2 hours 15 minutes
• Students will also submit a pre-written essay that's 1200 to 1500 words long. 

English Language and Literature SL

English language and literature hl, literature and performance sl.

• Paper 1 (Issues in Dramatizing a Novel)—1 hour 30 minutes
• Paper 2 (Comparative Essay)—1 hour 30 minutes
• Students will also submit an essay that critically analyzes a work and said student's performance of that work

Make sure you stick to this exact timing. Don't give yourself any extra time. Otherwise, you will not be prepared for the pacing of the actual test.

Research to Action / Flickr, used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Rule 3: Review With the Mark Scheme

After completing your full test, review your answers. You must review to learn from your errors and not make them on the actual test.  And that means going over your essays with a critical eye. 

Take an hour to review. While this may seem like you are wasting time that you could be spending on other practice, it's not. You need to emphasize the quality of your practice and no the quantity of practice. I'd rather you take two practice tests with good review than eight tests with no review.

You may also consider giving your practice essays to your English teacher or other qualified mentor to review. They can give you additional insights that will help you improve your analytical and writing skills before test day! 

What's Next?

Want more tips for IB English? Then check out our complete IB English study guide for all the info you need.

Impatient to get your IB scores? Learn when IB results and scores come out.

Did you know that you can take some IB classes online? Check out our complete guide to online IB courses , including which classes you can take online and if you can get an online IB diploma.

As an SAT/ACT tutor, Dora has guided many students to test prep success. She loves watching students succeed and is committed to helping you get there. Dora received a full-tuition merit based scholarship to University of Southern California. She graduated magna cum laude and scored in the 99th percentile on the ACT. She is also passionate about acting, writing, and photography.

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IB DP Language A Language and Literature – sample text analysis – speech transcript

Text:  “Malala Yousafzai: 16th birthday speech at the United Nations.” https://malala.org/ https://malala.org/newsroom/archive/malala-un-speech

Before analyzing the text make sure to have a look at the following page for a better understanding of how to use the text to help you with your assessments:  https://language-literature.com/sample-text-analysis-blog-posts/

Some elements of this text to consider:

• If this text were to be used on a real paper 1 the IB might decide to only include the transcript of the speech and remove all other elements of the website. On the other hand, the IB could decide to broaden the scope of the paper one and include the header of the website, the image from Youtube, the brief bio, etc. Also, the speech is a bit long for a paper 1 and the IB in such situations only includes an excerpt for analysis. Look at some paper 1 samples to get an idea of the maximum length of a text.
• The second paragraph of the speech is somewhat formulaic which matches the context of the speech. Formal speeches in such conditions often included acknowledgement of some members of the audience and addresses them by their formal title.

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IBDP English A: Language & Literature

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3 Steps to Write a Textual Analysis (IBDP Paper 1)

Paper 1 in English appears challenging and nerve-wracking for students. It is without a doubt one of the most difficult papers for IBDP students. You have no idea what the questions are being asked. That is, after all, the challenge of this paper. The IB evaluates your ability to analyse a visual text and to write an essay based on your findings.

What to write in the essay?

It should be a thorough breakdown of the text given . The students must make inferences, analyse the structure, and interpret the content. They should present their findings in the form of an essay.

What will be the types of questions?

For IB English Literature SL and HL , and for IB English Language and Literature SL and HL , textual analysis can come from a broad variety of sources, including magazines, editorials, speeches, interview scripts, instruction manuals, blog articles, campaigns and more. For SL students there will be a guiding question, so your answer should be based on the question.

How to Write a Textual Analysis?

Take a look at the text to figure out what genre it belongs to. In other words, determining if the text is a blog post, a newspaper editorial, a donation website, an iTunes page, and so on. After you've established the type of text, concentrate on the structure.

It may appear difficult to analyse the structure of a textual analysis, but believe me, it is not. It is the structure that you notice when you first look at the text.

Psychology of Colour Is the text's colour scheme contrasting, and if so, what impact does it have on the reader? Is it drawing the reader's attention? These are elements that should be focused on in this section.

Logo(s) If there are any logos that illustrate the structure, pay attention to them. They may be from a business or from social media sites. This is something that should be noted. For example: A bell is used as the emblem. Since the word "bell" appears in the brand name, the meaning can be linked to it. A manifestation of this is the logo.

Headings Take note of the order of the headings and subheadings. Are the fonts bolded, italicised, or underlined? For example: The first heading is bold, and it immediately draws the reader's attention to the text below it. It allows us to quickly comprehend the substance of the paragraph below. This is a technique that makes it simple for the reader to read the article or even only glance at it and understand what is written.

Images and Hyperlinks You may also point out that most online papers have hyperlinks to demonstrate the authenticity of their work. Meanwhile, if there is a picture, make a comment about it and explain why it was placed there. For example: The hyperlinks given after each work demonstrate that the information can be validated, and that interested readers can do additional research on the subject if they are so inclined. The images serve as anchors for the topics being discussed; for example, the image of a woman serves as an anchor for the subject of discussion, which is female empowerment.

Now it's time to move on to the next level. We'll focus on the writer's content in this section. We look for literary devices, persuasive techniques, examples, testimonies, and true events, among other things.

Literary devices The writer can use various literary devices such as metaphor, hyperbole, simile, analogy, foreshadowing etc.

Persuasive appeals

Logos : This is a way of persuading an audience with reason, using facts and figures.

Ethos : This used as a means of convincing an audience via the authority or credibility of the persuader, be it a notable or experienced figure in the field or even a popular celebrity.

Pathos : This is a way of convincing an audience of an argument by creating an emotional response to an impassioned plea or a convincing story.

Let’s take a look at an example of a visual text and see how the mentioned objectives are achieved.

Click on this link to view the text.

This text is an appeal or campaign article that aims to educate its readers about slavery. The article's format and content make it easier for readers to communicate with it and understand what it's trying to say. The colour scheme and highlighted phrases in the text function to draw the reader's attention to important statements or hyperlinks, encouraging them to click on them for more details.

A black and red ribbon appears at the top of the page, with social media links, donation links, a punchline, and a logo that also explicitly relates to the article's main subject. Since the rest of the article is written in simple, dull black text, the bright red and black ribbon helps to easily and efficiently attract the readers' attention.The text's main purpose is to raise awareness by presenting facts while also attracting possible donations from those who read it, so the donation link's location couldn't be better. If readers want to learn more about the subject and what is being done, social media may be another source of knowledge.

A image of two slaves at work has also been placed in the centre of the page to help explain the type of people being discussed, as many people may be unfamiliar with the idea of slavery and may confuse it with other types of work that look similar. Links to books, kits, and a fact sheet have been highlighted and underlined in red on the right border. At this point, a colour code has been created, and the reader may compare the information and its colour to make associations between its content and importance level.

The text's content is often used effectively to help the reader understand the meaning and prevalence of slavery. The text begins by attempting to convey to the reader the widespread existence of slavery by using a heading that reads "slavery is everywhere." Using a strong term like "everywhere" is a risky move, since it intensifies the nature of the issue greatly if taken literally. It then goes on to list convenient locations where slavery can be found near us, making it easier for readers to connect by letting them know that it is closer than they might think. The readers are then given a highlighted and coloured hyperlink that serves as evidence for the article's assertions. This will help to dispel any concerns that may have arisen in one's mind as a result of reading it. The writer employs persuasion techniques such as logos and ethos. The passage then goes on to explain why slavery exists in the modern world. Along with raising consciousness, the article aims to instil tenacity, or a collective through pattern, in the target audience. To further the audience's comprehension, the article goes on to discuss other aspects of slavery.

The final section of the article is titled "You Are Connected to Slavery, and You Can Cure It," and the use of the word "you" twice adds a lot of personalization to the work. Articles are typically used as public information points, acting as a "come and go" location for people to gather information before moving on to the next post. This article breaks the trend because it uses the word "you" to make it sound as though it was written specifically for the reader, in order to persuade them to help eradicate slavery. It creates a clear link between the dilemma and the reader, unique because it's different, and personal for anyone who's read it. This, combined with the content that discusses how popular it is, as well as two additional links, creates a clear and compelling conclusion to the article that accomplishes what it set out to do.

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Ace the Presentation

A 9-Step Practical Guide On How To Analyze A Speech – Speech Analysis of I have A Dream Speech as an Example

A speech, as we all know, is a vocal opinion of a speaker’s stand. Speeches are usually used as an effective tool for rallying support, conveying opinion, as well as influencing the thoughts of others (usually the audience) to accept or agree with the thoughts of the Speaker.

For a speech to achieve its goal, the words used in a speech are usually chosen carefully. This is so because, through a speech, the audience can perceive the interest or personal motives of the Speaker.

However, in most cases, there is usually a need to consider what was not said in a speech, or what the motive of the Speaker was. For this reason, speech analysis comes in handy in order to have a full understanding of a speech.

What is Speech Analysis?

In its simplest form, speech analysis or speech interpretation can be said to be the process of extracting important pieces of information that are contained in a speech. When carrying out speech analysis, there is usually a need to take note of some essential and necessary components of the Speech . These include;

1. Analyzing the purpose or intent of the Speech

For instance, a speech may be written to entertain the audience with some humorous lines, persuade the audience into thinking or agreeing with the opinion of the Speaker, or to inform the audience about something which the Speaker is skilled in.

2. The target audience and how the Speech relates to them

Also of paramount importance during speech analysis is  taking note of who the target audience is, and how the Speech relates to the audience .

For instance, when analyzing a speech that was delivered to support the need for a pay rise in an organization, in that case, it will be expected that the audience listening to such a speech will be members of staff of the organization who are clamoring for a rise in their pay.

3. The effective and validity of the Speech 

Finally, when carrying out speech analysis, another core aspect to consider is the effectiveness and  validity of the Speech to see whether or not it contains relevant and important proofs  such as examples, statistics, facts, and dates to back the claims contained the Speech.

Still using the same above example about a speech about a pay rise in an organization, the Speaker may have to include facts such as the agreed terms for a pay rise in the organization. 

With that, such a speech would be said to have concrete facts and evidence to support its claims and the need for it.

Highly Recommended Next Articles

7 Basic Components of Public Speaking & Tips for Effective Delivery

The I Have A Dream Speech by Martin Luther King Jr (with Video+Audio+Full Transcript and Historical Context)

What is the First Step in Rhetoric Analysis?

The Structure of a Speech

Although a speech can be written and presented in more ways than one, every Speech usually shares three basic elements in common. These elements include;

• The Introduction of a Speech

The introduction of a speech is one of the most important elements of a speech since it is usually designed to grab the attention of the audience, either with a hook, a preview of what the Speech is all about, a joke, a controversial statement, a startling statistics, why the Speech is important, or a powerful visual.

Introducing a speech with such powerful elements is an excellent way to give the audience reasons why they should listen to the Speaker, instead of starting with a dry  “hello everyone, it’s a great privilege to talk to you today.”

Due to the ultimate role which the introduction of a speech plays, making the right choice of other key elements such as body language, words, and other visuals to usher in a speech are all very important to make the introduction of a speech achieve its goal.

• The Body of a Speech

After the introduction comes the body of a speech, which is the part that contains the Speaker’s main points. These points are usually expected to be supported with relevant examples, details, statistics, and facts, which are explained in simply and concisely.

In the body of a speech, the Speaker should make necessary effort to ensure that all the facts and pieces of evidence presented in the Speech aligns with the primary objective of the Speech. As mentioned earlier, these facts and proofs should all be presented in a simple and clear language for the understanding of the audience.

• The Conclusion of a Speech

The concluding part of a speech also packs as much power as the other two parts mentioned earlier. 

In the conclusion section, the Speaker makes a substantial effort to remind the audience of the major points made in the Speech and then ends the Speech with thought-provoking words that will motivate the audience to respond to the final call to action in the Speech.

Also, in the conclusion of a speech, the Speaker should be concise about what he expects from the audience, whether it is for a petition to be signed, requesting their support, for a product to be bought, or for some other specific actions from the audience as contained in the Speech. 

How to Analyze and Interpret a Speech? 9 Key Questions to effective speech Analysis.

When analyzing a speech, there are usually some things, precisely nine questions that you must consider for effective speech analysis.

However, when analyzing a speech, don’t feel satisfied by merely outline these nine important questions in the Speech and answering them. Instead, there should be a complementary explanation or example of how these nine key questions work using a speech as an example. So, in analyzing a speech, here are the 9 key questions you must give appropriate answers to for effective speech analysis .

1. Who is the Speaker?

In analyzing a speech, you have to consider who is the Speaker, and how does the Speaker’s rank, position, personal views, motives, or experience affect the Speech.

2. Who is/are the Audience?

In this case, you have to consider who are the members of the audience. By so doing, you will have to look closely to know whether or not the audience are the people who are directly affected or needs the message conveyed by the content of the Speech.

3. What is the Type of Speech?

By considering the type of Speech under analysis, you try to dig deeper to know the motive or intent of the Speaker for the Speech. 

In this regard, the Speech delivered might be one that is intended to inform or educate the audience, entertain, or even persuade the audience to take certain steps of action.

4. What is the Structure of the Speech?

By analyzing the structure of the Speech, you are to consider how the Speech is being structured by the Speaker. In this case, you are required to analyze whether or not the Speech was well-structured into an introduction, a body and a conclusion.

Also worthy of note about the structure of a speech during analysis is checking to see whether or not there is a governing or central idea that is being captured in every bit of the Speech.

5. What is the Purpose of the Speech?

Like I mentioned earlier, every Speech is usually aimed at achieving a purpose. For some, the purpose might be to persuade the audience, entertain, or even to open the eyes of the audience about a piece of information they are yet to know.

With this, it is therefore very important to consider the purpose of a speech to know the mission of the Speaker when carrying out speech analysis.

6. What is the Content/Circumstances of the Speech

In evaluating the content and circumstances of a speech, you consider the events that have created the need for the Speech. In doing this, you may have to pay closer attention to specific elements such as;  

• Where the Speech is taking place , and how the choice of the geographical location of the Speech affects the acceptance of the Speech by the audience
• When the Speech is being delivered . This is very important because there might a special time or event that is currently going on, which may serve as the best time to deliver such a speech.
• Why is the Speech being delivered? In this case, you look at the reason why the Speaker is giving a speech, and by so doing, you also consider the expectation of the Speaker from the Speech.

7. What are the Techniques used by the Speaker?

Techniques employed by the Speaker are usually the various modes of persuasion, in which the Speaker adopts. These techniques are also known as rhetorical appeals , and they are ways of persuading the audience to believe the Speaker’s point of view.

As a way of swaying the audience to buy the Speaker’s point of view, a speaker may adopt Aristotle’s mode of persuasion known by the names;

• Ethos  – persuading the audience through the credibility, authority, experience, and personality of the Speaker   
• Pathos  – persuading the audience by creating an emotional response, which may either fear, happiness, or sadness through a convincing story or an impassionate plea.
• L ogos  –  persuading the audience through the use of logic, figures, facts, and data in a speech.

Also very important when analyzing a speech is looking out for the use of stylistic devices such as the use of contrast in a statement, repetition (the rule of three using triads), irony, or even imagery by the Speaker.

8. Is the Intention of the Speech Achieved?

By analyzing a speech to see whether or not it has achieved its purpose, you may have to carry out some evaluations to ascertain if the Speech was successful.

•  Affected/impacted the target audience
• Fit into the occasion which it was delivered
• Is convincing
• Use of ethos, pathos, and logs was balanced
• The argument is valid or solid.

9. What is the overall result of the analysis of the Speech?

After a thorough evaluation of a speech, you should be able to come up with a complete summary of the speech analysis outcome. Obviously, this will come as a result of the analysis of the various parts and components of the Speech as mentioned by the various questions above.

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The next point of discussion is a practical example of how to make a speech analysis by using the nine-step approach shared. Before digging into that, let me add below some of the top related and interesting articles that can add to what you’re learning from this one. If any of the titles picks your interest, please click and open in a new tab, so you can check them out later. Enjoy!

The 4 Methods or Types of Speech Delivery

The 7 Basic Elements of Public Speaking

An Easy Guide to All 15 Types of Speech

Analyzing the I Have A Dream Speech by Martin Luther King Jr

In a bid to have a full understanding of how the various questions that should be considered when carrying out speech analysis work, we shall be considering the heroic Speech delivered by a civil rights leader – Martin Luther King Jr, on August 28, 1963, in front of the Lincoln Memorial Mall. 

Before we go straight into the analysis of the “ I Have A Dream ” Speech, let’s take a quick look at the context of the Speech. 

Exactly 100 years ago, the US President, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation of negro slaves in the US, and in 1963 in which the emancipation proclamation was due, it was time for negro slaves to gain absolute freedom and civil rights in the US. 

It was in response to this long-awaited dream come true that Martin Luther King Jr and other civil rights activists made the March on Washington in a peaceful protest to have the present parliament in 1963 to enact the emancipation proclamation and put an end to their years of captivity.

Related Article: The I Have A Dream Speech by Martin Luther King Jr (with Video+Audio+Full Transcript and Historical Context)

Alternatively, you can just watch the 17 minutes full Speech through the link below;

Below are some excerpts of the “I Have A Dream” speech by Martin Luther King Jr at the Lincoln National Mall, interspersed with my analytical thoughts in a bid to answer the 9 key questions you must ask when analyzing a speech.

The Speaker, in this case, is Martin Luther King Jr, who is a prominent negro civil rights activist fighting to secure freedom and emancipation for his fellow negroes.

The audience who are physically present and listening to Martin Luther’s “I Have A Dream” speech is majorly the African Americans who are also joining their voices in the fight for their emancipation. 

Also, present during the Speech are other “white” skin American citizens who are probably in support of the emancipation protest by the negroes.

However, it is evident that members of media were present to cover the event, and so it is obvious that the Speech was open to everyone who could have access to a live stream of the Speech

“And so, we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.”

From the excerpt above, it is obvious that Martin Luther’s Speech was a call demanding for the freedom and the enactment of the civil rights decree in favor of the negroes.

Although Dr. King’s Speech wasn’t divided into distinct parts with an introduction, body, and conclusion, the Speech is, however, seen to be coherent with a smooth flow of information. 

He started by reminding his fellow negroes about the history of the emancipation proclamation by Abraham Lincoln.

“Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.”

From there, the Speaker, Martin Luther, went further to remind his audience of the undue injustice and oppression the negroes were going through in various parts of America despite the vast national resources available for all to benefit from.

“But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land.”

Finally, as Martin Luther’s conclusion, there was a call to action for the emancipation and freedom of the negroes in every part of America by the then government.

“And so let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California. But not only that: Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.”

From the content of Dr. King’s Speech, it is very obvious that the purpose of the Speech was to persuade the American government in 1963 to sign and enact the civil rights law that will bring absolute freedom and emancipation to the African American amongst them.

“We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of Now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquillizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.”

Firstly, the circumstances that necessitated Martin Luther’s Speech was the undue segregation mated out to the negroes in America.

“There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, “When will you be satisfied?” We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote, and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until “justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream.”

Also worthy of note and analysis is the geographical location where the Speech was delivered and the choice of such location. 

In this case, Martin Luther’s Speech was delivered at the Lincoln National Mall, just in front of the statue of Abraham Lincoln. And the choice of this place was to bring to mind the fact that about 100 years ago, Abraham Lincoln, whose statue is right behind the Speaker, signed the Emancipation Proclamation of the negroes in America.

The choice of the time at which the Speech was delivered was the perfect timing since it was precisely 100 years after the Emancipation Proclamation was made by Abraham Lincoln.

In an attempt to persuade and convince the audience of the need for the negro’s freedom and emancipation, Martin Luther employed pathos to stir up an emotional response of sadness about the undue injustice the negroes were going through;

“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”

“I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest — quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering.”

Dr. King also employed logos to give data and figures that will support his call for the emancipation of the African Americans.

“Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation.”

He also invoked a sentiment of nostalgia and the figure of the President Abraham Lincoln, who he clearly calls a “Great American”, the man who signed and declared the emancipation of negroes, but also was hailed as a hero by both white and negroes.

I also noted the use of irony to express the supposed reasons why the negroes are undergoing injustice and segregation in America.

“But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. And so, we’ve come to cash this check, a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.”

Although the Speech wasn’t intended to convince or persuade the audience to accept or agree to the need for the emancipation of the negro, since the majority of the audience who present during the Speech were all civil rights activists protesting for the passage of the civil rights law.

However, the “I Have A Dream” speech by Martin Luther King can be said to have achieved its intentions, especially as it helped the African American to secure the passage of the civil rights law into effect later in 1964.

In summary, I think that the “I Have A Dream” speech by Martin Luther King Jr was a timely call for the freedom of the negroes in America after the successful completion of 100 years after the emancipation proclamation by Abraham Lincoln.

The choice of the geographical location for the Speech was apt, and it was the perfect place to call to mind the emancipation proclamation for the negroes.

The use of various speech techniques such as the use of pathos and logos by Martin Luther was a good way to connect with the audience and make them see the urgent need for why African Americans needed to secure civil rights in America. Finally, concluding his speech with a call for freedom to reign in every part of America, where the negroes were undergoing injustice, was a very good way in which Martin Luther King Jr used in ending his Speech.

• https://study.com/academy/lesson/practice-analyzing-and-interpreting-a-speech.html   
• http://sixminutes.dlugan.com/speech-evaluation-1-how-to-study-critique-speech/  
• http://jorgenboge.wikidot.com/how-to-analyze-a-speech
• http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson885/speech-analysis.pdf  
• https://mannerofspeaking.org/speech-analyses/
• https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-ethos-logos-and-pathos.html
• https://www.theclassroom.com/write-irony-literary-essay-14211.html

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The systematic course to master IB English analysis

For HL or IB6+ students

• Learn Analysis

Learn how to analyze diction for IB English

Diction is the simplest literary technique, but it doesn't mean it's easy to master.

Pay close attention!

Diction means "word choice": the specific words that a writer deliberately chooses to use in a piece of writing.

Diction in action looks like this:

• "The writer's use of emotional diction in line 5 illustrates..."
• "The religious diction such as 'communion' and 'confession' suggests..."

The problem is that every word on a page technically counts as diction. We obviously can't analyse all of them.

• The rules of diction
• Never analyse boring words.
• Always analyse interesting words.

So how can you tell if a word is interesting and therefore worthy of analysis?

• Connotations

Every word has a denotation (i.e., a boring, literal meaning found in the dictionary) and connotations.

A word is interesting if it has interesting connotations . In analysis, we tend to care less about the denotative meaning of word because it's not interesting.

Take the word "gold" as an example.

Denotation: "a yellow precious metal, the chemical element of atomic number 79"

Yawn. The word “gold” obviously means a lot more to us than just its boring denotation.

The word “gold” instantly makes us think of: wealth, money, luxury, prestige, royalty, quality, beauty, perfection, big fat Rolexes.

These ideas, feelings, and impressions  that we naturally associate with certain words are called connotations. They are distinct from denotations: Denotation is what the thing literally means; connotation is what we think and feel about that thing. Big difference.

Since analysis is about deeper layers of meaning, we care much more about connotations when we analyse diction.

Let's take a look at the diction in this sentence:

“The town was an infested den of thieves and smugglers.”

What words have interesting connotations?

The word “infested” is interesting. When I read/hear the word “infested”, I immediately think

Ewwwwwwwwwww!!!

I think of a gross mental image of disgusting cockroaches and rats crawling around in some old basement or sewer. To me, the diction of “infested” connotes disgust , and the writer probably chose this word precisely because it makes the town seem dirty and disgusting.

“Infested” also connotes a sense of corruption; in this case, it's not so much the biological disease, which is the literal meaning, but instead the moral corruption of these thieves and smugglers who work in morally-questionable professions.

There's also another really interesting layer of meaning. We usually associate the diction of “infested” with animals and insects, as opposed to humans. So the writer uses animalistic diction to dehumanise these criminals to the level of animals, making us view them with contempt (remember this word from the tone list?).

By thinking about the connotations, we got some great analysis about amorality, disgust and dehumanisation.

• Exemplar Analysis

Recall the 5 steps of the Diamond Analysis Formula from the Analysis Foundations section. Well, all we have to do is apply them here, and voila, we cook up some decent analysis like this:

The author characterises “the town” to be “infested” with criminals. Here, the deliberate use of animalistic diction in “infested” serves to dehumanise the “thieves and smugglers” as creatures comparable to cockroaches or rats, which evokes a sense of disgust in readers. The animalistic diction thus captures the squalid , corrupted state of this “town” and builds an unsettling atmosphere.

Great new adjectives to use in your next essay to boost your Criterion D Language mark:

• “ squalid ”: lacking in moral standards
• “ unsettling ”: disturbing, making someone feel uneasy or anxious
• Analysis Advice

When you use the word “diction”, try to precede it with an adjective. For example, avoid writing

“The diction in ‘infested'…”

Instead, write

“The animalistic diction in ‘infested'…”

The reason is because ‘diction' itself is meaningless unless we specify a particular type of word choice. In some cases, the diction is neutral and that is when you have no choice but to just write “diction”.

The same rule applies to tone, atmosphere and mood. Add a preceding adjective. There's no meaning behind tone unless it's a specific tone. The same goes for atmosphere and mood.

If you get tired of writing "diction" all the time, you can vary your diction by replacing it with “language” . For example, you can write “emotional diction" or  “emotional language”, “formal diction” or “formal language”. They mean the same thing.

• A Word of Warning

Students often analyze diction too much. Ideally, we want to choose a variety of literary techniques. A broad range. To get high marks in analysis, you want to show off your skills. By ALWAYS analyzing diction, you are repeatedly showing the examiner that all you know is diction. Not a good idea!

Action: Stop analyzing diction so much! And if you do analyze it, ONLY choose the best, most interesting diction.

Practice Question

Practice the concepts in this lesson with questions from Questionbank .