Understand Criteria

  1. Crit A: Understanding and interpretation
    • understanding: literal meaning + deeper implication (inference and conclusion, but not overtly state)
    • Integrate evidence as partial quotes (or precise visual element) to support your analysis
  2. Crit B: Analysis and Evaluation
    • deconstruct text with terminology: textual features and authorial choices
      • “Through the use of “…”, the author illustrates the idea that…
      • In line “……”, we see the phrase “……”. Through the use of this “…..”, the reader understands that…
      • This deliberate use of “……” serves to communicate to the reader that…”
    • evaluate the effect of the features and devices in achieving author’s purpose
      • “criticizes, questions, condemns…”
      • The author “effectively, cleverly, skillfully” employs the technique …
  3. Crit C: Focus and Organization
    • Include keywords of question in following locations:
      • Thesis statement
      • Topic sentences of all paragraphs
      • Other moments periodically throughout body paragraphs
      • Concluding sentences of all paragraphs
      • First sentence of conclusion
    • Stay Organized, include:
      • Strong thesis with a rich idea
      • Strong topic sentences that clearly link to the thesis
      • Clear presentation of ideas with references, analysis, and evaluation
      • Frequent links to the language of the guiding question
      • Suitable transitions within paragraphs
    • Coherent, use complex transitions:
      • While the author clearly emphasizes (topic from preceding paragraph), the author also argues that (topic of new paragraph)
      • In addition to (topic from preceding paragraph), readers also understand the claim that…
      • Once the author has established (x), (author’s name) emphasizes the claim that…
  4. Crit D: Language
    • use formal academic vocab
    • be accurate and precise
    • terminlogy

Dos and Donts

Do

  1. annotate while reading
  2. read the question and use keywords from it
  3. make an outline
  4. extraction instead of summary (find main message, implication, purpose)
  5. connect authorial choices and effect on the reader
  6. explore the subtleties (go beyond the obvious, find the nuance)
  7. relax
  8. ==use present tense on authors==: the author suggests …

Donts

  1. ignore guiding question
  2. write too soon without plan
  3. super long paragraph (Use transition to break it into two)
  4. misread the text type (find info in footnote)
  5. ==Fire hose technique==
    • Do NOT list too many techniques you can find
    • DO Aim for 4~5 elements in total and always explain their authorial choices and effect
  6. Ignore context and audience
  7. skip conclusion
  8. poor handwriting

Useful Vocabs

Crit A

Helpful sentence stems for discussing implications
This phrase implies that… The reader can deduce that…
The reader can imply that… Readers can infer that…
The author suggests that… Readers can conclude that…
While not stated, the author hints that… The audience reasons that…
The implications are clear: (…) While not overtly stated, we can infer that…

Crit B

Analytical Verbs – some alternatives for ‘suggests’ with brief definition - Advocates – puts forwards a particular opinion/viewpoint/belief - Amplifies – emphasises by adding extra impact - Connotes – creates a deeper metaphorical meaning - Constructs – builds up an idea - Conveys – gets across a message/idea/theory - Defines – gives us the clear meaning of something - Demonstrates – Provides a clear explanation/example - Denotes – what the word actually means/dictionary definition - Emphasises – draws attention to something - Evokes – brings about a strong feeling or idea - Exhibits – Displays a certain attitude/tendency - Foreshadows – hints at subsequent events/themes - Highlights – draws clear attention toward by making it stand out - Identifies – provides the clear meaning of something specific - Illustrates – creates a distinct image - Implies – suggests something beyond the obvious - Indicates – acts as a clear pointer or a signpost - Insinuates – mages a vague suggestion beyond the obvious meaning - Mirrors – A similar or the same visual image - Parallels – runs alongside a similar idea/theme - Portrays – Shows or represents something/someone in a certain way - Presents – Introduces an idea - Projects – takes an idea and makes it more distinct - Proposes – puts forward an idea/theory - Puts forward – Gives a theory/opinion/idea - Reflects – Espouses the same or similar theme/idea - Reiterates – repeats or supports the same point/feeling/idea - Represents – takes an idea and puts it forward in a different light - Reveals – makes a meaning/interpretation clear that was previously unclear - Signifies – uses a word or a sign to make the meaning clear

Analitical Adverbs - effectively - cleverly - powerfully - wisely - rightfully - bravely - interestingly - shrewdly - wittily - curiously - astonishingly - astutely - sensibly - energetically - vigorously - strongly - skillfully - intentionally - clearly

Verb Synonyms
Criticizes rebukes, admonishes, chastises, lambasts, castigates, demonises, condemns
Questions queries, disputes, casts doubt upon, refutes, interrogates, examines, challenges, exposes, provokes
Ridicules mocks, trivialises, satirises, lampoons, derides, pillories, parodies, caricatures
Celebrates commemorates, honours, salutes, recognises, acknowledges, memorialises, lionises, fetishises, idealises, eulogises, elevates, glorifies, sentimentalises, romanticises, beautifies, deifies
Subverts undermines, overturns, alters, modifies, corrupts
Accepts welcomes, embraces, affirms, reaffirms, internalises, externalises

For a 5, you therefore need to be routinely identifying word choices, language/structural devices, and recurring themes or ideas. You should be able to say what their function is within the text and how they have been used. You need to then evaluate how this function influences the meaning and interpretation of a text - why use this specific simile to influence the reader? What is the author’s purpose?

Crit C

For transition in paragraphs:

Category Transition Words
Similarities also, in the same way, just as … so too, likewise, similarly
Differences But, however, in spite of, on the one hand … on the other hand, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet
Time, Order, Sequence After, afterward, at last, before, currently, during, earlier, immediately, later, meanwhile, now, recently, simultaneously, subsequently, then
Additional Evidence additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then
Cause/Effect accordingly, consequently, hence, so, therefore, thus
Conclusion finally, in a word, in brief, briefly, in conclusion, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, to sum up, in summary

For transition between paragraphs: - Include keywords of previous paragraph’s conclusion in the intro of the current paragraph

==do not use==: apart from, … (do not make your previous point subsidiary)

organize in a way of: - progression: most obvious -> deepest - semantic group: color with color, language with language

Crit D

Sounds like a pro!

  1. powerful hook in introduction: be pop and creative, with tone like an author or historian
    • “Red on top. White on the bottom. The iconic Campbell’s Soup label that inspired pop artist Andy Warhol to create one of his most famous pieces of modern pop art.”
    • In May of 1992, an intrepid young man wandered into the Alaskan wilderness with nothing but a rifle and a ten pound bag of rice.”
  2. flexible sentence structures
  3. sometimes royal “we”
  4. powerful verbs
  5. frequent transition

Tips for parts

Introduction

Structure: 1. hook and topic 2. text type, year, author (metadata) + relation with the topic (criticize, support, embrace, etc.) 3. audience 4. purpose 5. main arguments

Body Paragraphs

remember to keep guiding question in mind. use fancy transition between paragraphs through mentioning previous keyword 3 dimensions to help organize paragraph: 1. visual and text 2. ethos, logos, pathos 3. different aspect of implication / purpose

Sub-Structure (3~4 sentences): 1. textual reference 2. authorial choice 3. author/reader (specific group) relationship

concluding sentence: link the devices or feature to readers effect about author’s purpose and add depth装逼

Conclusion

Structure: 1. concluding transition 2. refocus guiding questions 3. summarize main points and link them to the question 4. end strong with deeper implication

Device/Conventions Patches

Give me a list of authorial choices/rhetoric devices for IB English A language and literature, with definition, example, common effect, and common text type. Both text-based and visual-based.

tones: use wheel of emotion

Interplay of text and image

anchoring: text has relation with image, explain each other

typographical feature(font): boldness, size, color

Pure text

persuasion

testimonial

modality: certainty (must, should, might) - high modality (must, will, always): authority, confidence - middle modality (should, need to): moral persuasion, enhance engagement, sense of obligation - low modality (could): avoid resistance, balance, less confrontational

imperitive language

jargon: - build trust and profession (ethos) - target specific audience - compress information - obscure weakness

allegory: a system of symbolism to convey deeper message (e.g. The Wizard of Oz)

Point2point Antibody

Multi-model text (visual+text): more digging of details

Ads sometimes have both commercial aim and public service purpose.

Commercial Text (in general)

key purposes: - reinforce memory (repeat certain information/icons) -> easier to recall（e.g. 旺旺） - present about product information (help make decision) - construct brand identity (personality, value) e.g. “Just do it” - emotional resonance, build recognition

key logic to fulfill purpose (can do multiple at the same time): 1. create sense of scarcity 2. sense of necessity (physical or mental) 3. emotional strike/resonance 4. solve certain issue 5. identity construction (you have this then you become someone) 6. differentiation (why this, not others?) 7. binding values

Persuasive Logic (in general)

what are some common logics I can analyze in persuasive texts, like speech or news comment. focus specifically on logos

deductive reasoning (general -> specific): some pure logic inductive reasoning (specific -> general): with some examples

Speeches

first do high-level reading, summarize each part -> get nuanced purpose

In addition to pathos, ethos, and logos: - modality: degree of certainty - structure: as a whole, sentence - language:

common devices: - pronouns - juxtaposition - allusion - lexical cluster 相近词汇意群 - rhetorical questions - analogy - repetition - euphemism* (委婉用语) - metaphor - diction

Letter

  • salution
  • purpose line
  • register: formality
  • closing (Call to action)

Broture/Infographic

both strong ethos broture: persuade people to do something, heavy pathos infographic: present fact, heavy logos; “summarise and present complex information, knowledge and data”

common elements: - images and icons - titles/headings/subheadings - font/style/size/color - short sections/paragraphs - negative space - slogan/pull quotes: punch line - symbolism - simplification - problem-solution structure: delima -> solution

common devices: - organization: page divider, bullet points, lists, box -> guide user step by step - snippets (brief chunks of text)

PSA

Common Implications: 1. raise awareness 1. enhance understanding 2. educate 3. draw attention 4. give instruction 5. provide resources and information 2. call for action 1. advocate policy change 2. fundraise / donation 3. encourage seeking help 3. shift narrative 1. shift social norms and attitude 2. “Destigmatize” (normalize and remove shame of certain things, including mental health problems)

common devices: - Metonymy: achieving goal/solving problem that exceeds individual’s capability, putting audience into a bigger narrative - Direct address: you - Pathos: draw sympathy

Commercial Ads

Common Implications: 1. sell product 1. ethos, pathos, logos 2. reinforce memory 3. provide information and feature 2. shape brand perception by public 3. binding 1. emotion bonding / storytelling 2. value connection / alignment 3. lifestyle association / mirroring

remember to analyze the medium (its platform, poster?, product)

Comics strip

![[_resources/Pasted image 20260123211800.png]]

core elements: - language and graphic - (borderless) panel / splash (spans the width of the page) - gutter: transition of time/space/perspective/subject/scene, etc. - speech bubble/thought bubble: subjectivity - ==narrative==/perspective

key graphic attributes: - ==emanata==: teardrops, sweat drops, question marks, or motion lines that artists draw besides characters’ faces to portray emotion - motion lines: show motion - foreground/midground/background - transition (between panels) - ==graphic weight==: creating a definite focus using color and shading, sometimes with ==cross hatching== - negative/positive space - ==Bleed==: An image that extends to and/or beyond the edge of the page - panel size and organization: - hints time and pace - movement - sometimes a mental state (see Palestine prisoner chapter) - cartoonification (how real is the graphic?): photorealistic or over simplified?

common devices: - hyperbole - amplification - irony - allusion (to certain work or figure)

Organization

  • language
  • visual
    • symbol, color, framing, etc.
**Based on the above concepts, explain**

1. their **most common usage** in comic strips
    
2. the **typical effect on readers**
    
3. **how they are usually linked to theme, tone, or perspective**
    
4. **one common mistake students make when analysing them**
    

My goal is to apply these effectively in IB Paper 1 / Paper 2.

Blog / Travel Writing / Product Review

terms, from perspective of: - seller: soft sell; implicit advertising; lifestyle branding - consumer: instructive; guidance

purpose: 1. provide information 2. memoir / record / share personal experience 3. commercial promotion

features: 1. Personal experience / emotion 2. Destination information (nouns, names, hotels) 3. Visual 4. Advice 5. Descriptive language 6. Potential Sponsor 7. Tone

devices: 1. diction that invokes emotion 2. vivid imagery 3. clear organization 4. sensory details

https://dougslangandlit.blog/20-20/

IB English Guy