11.

5 Set-text focus

11.5 Set-text focus

Exercise 9
Consider the language choices in your prose set text.
a Choose an extract from your prose text in which the writer uses powerful
imagery or makes interesting word choices. Your teacher may be able to help
you with this.
b Create a table like the one in Exercise 2 and find quotations in your chosen
extract that use a variety of language devices. Make sure you note down the
effect that each quotation has rather than just making a list.
c Consider how you think the author has used language to help convey meaning.
In what significant ways has the author used language to explore certain
themes or describe characters and settings?
d Look at the following essay question, based on the one used in ‘11.4 Writing
practice’, and think about it in relation to your set text and the extract you
have chosen:
How does [writer’s name] use words and images to powerful effect in this
part of the novel?
Plan a response to this essay question using the evidence and ideas you found
in parts a to c. Then write an essay responding to this question.
Take your learning further
The novel The Secret River imagines the conflict between English settlers of Australia,
such as William Thornhill, and the aboriginal Australians. An extract on Kate Grenville’s
website shows the drama of William meeting an aboriginal person for the first time.
1 Read the extract: https://kategrenville.com.au/books/the-secret-river
2 If you can, act out the extract.
3 How does the language used in this extract add to your understanding of the character
of William?

Unit summary
In this unit, you have learned how to:
l Use quotations and indirect references to demonstrate the ways that a writer uses
language and communicates meanings.
l Think about how an author’s use of language reveals deeper meanings.
l Identify features of language – such as metaphor, personification and hyperbole – and
explain how they are used to create effects.
l Describe the ways a writer’s use of imagery appeals to your senses and justify your
reaction with textual evidence.
Think about how you have demonstrated each of these skills in the exercises in this unit.
Be sure to return to this unit once you have spent some time developing other skills in the
remainder of the Prose section and apply your learning to the extract from The Secret River.

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