2-3 Paragraphs of Analysis of the June 2013 Paper

Analysis on the June 2013 Paper

Study the texts A–G on the next seven pages.  These texts illustrate different varieties of language use.

Discuss various ways in which these texts can be grouped, giving linguistic reasons for your choices. (48 marks)

Texts A-G all illustrate different varieties of language use and can be grouped in various ways. One way some of these texts can be grouped is due to the graphology features used. Texts B, C, F and G can be grouped as all four of these texts are posters. Compared to all the other texts they immediately stand out, they are eye catching due to the big bold headings and subheadings although they lack a range of lexis. Texts C and F also contain images and colour making the texts much more appealing to their audience. For example the pragmatics in text C shows a chicken and a mushroom having a conversation. The chicken says “In a chicken and mushroom casserole, I’M THE MAN.” The mushroom replies “you are the chicken.” This shows a creation of a relationship with the intended audience of people who are looking into healthy eating. It includes humour into a healthy eating adverting portraying that healthy eating can be fun.

In addition the subject specific lexis stands out in texts D, F and G. For example in text D subject specific lexis is spoken between the two people having a conversation. They use the word ‘Morrissey’ to refer to a British singer and lyricist rather than his full name ‘Steven Morrissey.’ It may be only the adults talking during their night out that understand the meaning of Morrissey and other people not part of the group may not know what these people are talking about. Other subject specific lexis includes ‘fan’, ‘lyricist’ and other singer’s names to show the discourse of these peoples conversation. Similarly in text G where subject specific lexis is demonstrated in terms of technology for example the words ‘broadband’, ‘wireless’, ‘connection’ and ‘BT total broadband’. People who are not up to date with current technology may not understand the meaning of these words and therefore the lexis is specific to those who use technology and is aimed at a younger audience. Text F also demonstrates subject specific lexis through a poster about bike safety. For example words such as ‘bicycle’, ‘helmet’, ‘reflectors’ etc. show subject specific lexis, however most people are likely to understand these terms.