MODULE 1-GATHERING

& PROCESSING
INFORMATION

LANGUAGE STRATEGIES AND TECHNIQUES

Prepared by S. Nugent
Language Strategies

 This is the use of various linguistic, grammatical and punctuation arrangements and
features which relate to each other in the process of conveying the overall purpose of
the speaker/writer.

 The linguistic features deal with the grammar, syntax, and diction that the writer
chooses to convey the intended message.
Linguistic Features

 1. Type of Language: Language may be spoken or written, formal or informal, personal or

impersonal standard or creole
 2. The vocabulary/diction used: slang or formal, florid or prosaic, simple or stilted,
repetition of key words/phrases, coined words etc.
 3. Sentence Construction: simple, complex, economical, verbose, direct, circumlocutory
or compound
 Examples:
a) Simple sentence: I love ice cream
b) Complex sentence: If coffee ice cream were the only one ever made, I
would still love ice cream even though most people hate the smell of coffee.
c) Compound: I love ice cream but I prefer the Devon House brand.
Linguistic features cont’d

d. Direct Sentence: I will leave today.

e. Economical Sentence: Stand!
Get out!
Leave now!
f. Verbose: The garrulous speaker has a notoriety of braggadocio.
g. Circumlocutory: The real crux of the matter, the absolute key to the
problem, the truth is that, the boy, the one we found,
the victim is, rather unfortunate, that he is the first son of
the dead man.
Linguistic Features cont’d
 4. Tone: Tone could be sad, humorous, remorseful, jubilant, satirical,
objective, sarcastic, nostalgic etc.
 5. Denotative use of words: this refers to words used to express the exact
dictionary meaning and words used to express
fact.
Example: The manager used the dogs as examples in his presentation
on the care of animals.
 6. Connotative use of words: this refers to words which arouse
emotions/feelings in the audience.
Example: It is a sad day in this country when men like Tom Strokes can
become a clergyman. The church has indeed gone to the
dogs.
Linguistic features cont’d

 7. Punctuation Marks: Punctuation marks such as the comma, full stop, question and
exclamation marks, suspension dots(ellipsis), dashes, etc. add meaning to words.
 Example:
a) The full stop: Black Friday. November 27. This is the day. We are ready.
No more waiting.
b) Exclamation mark: Soldiers! This is madness! You must attack! Today!
Now!
c) Suspension dots: No sooner had he disappeared from our sight that the
awful sound of a dragon’s growl shook the terrain, and there was a
muffled scream and…
Linguistic Features cont’d

 8. Physical Features: This include the layout of the text on a page, the use
of headlines, fonts, newspaper column or broadsheet layout, portrait or
landscape, etc.
 9. Typographical features: This refers to the use of various fonts, font sizes,
bold type face, capitals, spacing, indentation, italics, Roman type etc.
 10. Pictures and graphics: The use of pictures and graphics can help to
make writing concepts clearer. They can reinforce concepts and help
to stimulate interest in (younger) readers.
Language Techniques
 In commenting on language techniques, consider the following:

a) the use of literary /persuasive devices and techniques

b) the type of writing discourse: narrative, descriptive,

expository, persuasive/argumentative (or is it a combination
of different types?)
Language Techniques cont’d
c) The way in which paragraphs are developed (organisational
strategies) Are they developed by:
i) details of description
ii) comparison and contrast
iii) problem/solution
iv) cause/effect
v) classification
vi) sequencing/process explanation
vii) chronology
viii) definitions, examples, illustrations,
statistical evidence,
reasons, explanations
Language Techniques cont’d

 d) Writer’s point of view- Is the article/passage written from a first or third person
perspective?

 e) How does the writer feel about the subject he is presenting?

ASSIGNMENT

 What are the uses of the:

 Ellipsis mark
 Dash
 Colon
 Comma
 Exclamation mark
(Provide an example for each use)
READING ASSIGNMENT

 Pages 19-23 CAPE Revision Guide Communication Studies

(Writing Discourses and their Organisational Features)