Year 12 Analysing Argument

The big stuff. You know... 'fundamentals'.

50

What is a 'contention'?

The author's ultimate purpose - what they are trying to convince you of. Overall argument.

100

The suggested body paragraph structure has three words in it. What are they?

What, How, Why

150

Name three different forms of articles that exist.

Opinion article, editorial, speech, letter, address, blog, transcript, advertorial.

200

Correctly identify the difference between 'target audience', and 'stakeholder'.

TA - A specific group or demographic that an argument is aimed at

Stakeholders - An individual or select group with a direct connection to the issue. Sometimes named by the author or clearly implied as having "skin in the game".

250

Correctly name all the CATTACS

Context/Issue (Contextualise- What is the background to the issue? What was the trigger for this piece? (What does the author wish to achieve by publishing this piece? What action do they want to bring about?)

A -Author, type of article (form)

T- Title of article

T - Tone of the author

A - Audience (who is the TARGET audience of the piece. Be specific, 'Australians' is too vague)

C - Contention (where does the author stand on the issue?)

S-source (where it comes from)

 

Name the technique 1

50

Name the technique: "We might not like it, but it is the right of our kids"

Inclusive Language

100

Name the technique: “…as fast as the wind…”

Simile

150

Name the technique: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder".

cliché

200

Name the appeal: "This initiative helps people spend more time with loved ones and build stronger relationships at home." 

Appeal to family values

250

Name the techniques used and why.

"I went to the movies last week and I cannot get over how much the night cost us. By the time we factored babysitting into the equation, as well as tickets and the price of popcorn...."

Appeal to hip pocket and anecdote.

• A short personal story or example helps the audience connect with the topic on a human level.
• Anecdotes often show how an issue affects real people, making abstract ideas more concrete.
• A well-chosen anecdote can illustrate a key idea or reinforce a persuasive argument.

Tone! tone?

50

Describe the tone and its effect: "I never thought I’d have to stand here today and say this, but you’ve let us down when we needed you most." 

The author is discouraged or disappointed. The reader is left to feel as if they have failed in the eyes of the author.

100

Describe the tone and its affect on the readers

"The new policy will be implemented next month. It outlines changes to the current procedures and provides updated guidelines for staff."

Neutral. 

• Readers are more likely to trust the information because it doesn’t feel biased or emotionally charged.
• A neutral tone helps readers focus on the facts or ideas without being distracted by strong opinions or persuasive language.

150

Describe the tone and its effect:
"How much longer will you sit in silence while they strip away your rights and trample on your future?"

Urgent and emotive

• Provokes a reaction: It’s designed to stir emotions and prompt action.

• Creates a sense of injustice: Readers may feel compelled to defend their rights or reconsider their stance.

• Engages through direct address: Using you makes it personal and hard to ignore.

200

Describe the tone and its effect: 

"If they think we’re going to back down after everything they’ve taken from us, they’ve got another thing coming."

Aggressive, emotive, confrontational

• Builds support: It encourages unity and action.
• Creates a sense of injustice: The phrase everything they’ve taken from us evokes sympathy and moral urgency.
• Builds tension: The confrontational tone may provoke strong reactions — either agreement or opposition.

250

Describe the tone and its effect: 

"We don’t care how many times they threaten us — we refuse to be silenced."

Stubborn, empowered, emotive

 It motivates readers to resist intimidation and take a stand.

The use of we creates a sense of unity and collective strength.

Readers may feel empowered, angry, or moved to action.

Name the technique 2

50

Why would a newspaper use this headline and what is the technique? 

"Powerful Protesters Push for Policy Change"

Alliteration

• To grab attention: Alliteration makes the headline stand out visually and aurally.
• To create impact: The strong, active verbs and adjectives suggest urgency and importance.
• To summarise the story: It conveys movement and change, which draws readers in.
• To appeal to emotion and curiosity: Readers may feel intrigued or inspired to learn more about the protest and its goals.

100

Name the technique (what appeal is used) and why: 

A new report released by Victorian teachers has claimed that one hundred percent of Year 12 students..."

Evidence, Expert Opinion, Statistics, Appeal to authority

The sentence builds trust and legitimacy.

• It relies on the credibility of experts or professionals (in this case, Victorian teachers) to support a claim.
• This technique is persuasive because readers are more likely to trust information coming from qualified or respected sources.
• It can make the argument seem more reliable or factual, even if the claim itself needs further evidence.

150

Name the technique (what is it an appeal to?) and why is it used?

"It certainly wasn't that way when I grew up..."

Appeal to nostalgia, Anecdotal Evidence

• The speaker refers to their own past to support a point or express a contrast.
• It’s a form of informal evidence, often used to make an issue feel more relatable or real.
• It is used to personalise an argument: It draws on lived experience, which can be persuasive.
• To evoke nostalgia or contrast: It suggests that things have changed — often for the worse — and may imply a need for action or reflection.
• To build credibility: The speaker positions themselves as someone who has seen or lived through different circumstances.

200

Name the technique and why is it used?

"We've had to let her go" or "Unfortunately, she didn't make the cut". 

Euphemism. Gentle language is used to soften the emotional impact 

• A euphemism is a mild or indirect way of saying something that might be harsh, unpleasant, or uncomfortable.
• Instead of saying “we fired her” or “she was rejected,” the speaker softens the message to reduce emotional impact or maintain politeness.

250

Name the technique and why is it used?

"We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets..." — Winston Churchill

Anaphora (repetition)

• Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences.
• In this case, "We shall fight..." is repeated multiple times to create rhythm and emphasis.

It is used to inspire and unify

• The repetition builds a sense of determination and collective strength.

To create emotional impact

• It stirs feelings of courage, resilience, and patriotism.

To reinforce the message

• The repeated phrase makes the commitment to fight unmistakably clear and memorable.

To build momentum

• Each line adds power and urgency, leading to a climactic effect.

What is the intended impact?

50

What is the purpose of exclusive language?

To deliberately ostracize a certain group - creating a 'us' vs 'them' argument.

100

What is the purpose of hyperbole?

To exaggerate, and therefore and put an argument in perspective. Can also be used to reinforce the importance of a point.

150

What is the purpose juxtaposing ideas?

Juxtaposition is a technique where two contrasting ideas, images, or concepts are placed side by side to highlight their differences or create a striking effect.

It is used to:

To highlight the contrast between points.
→ Juxtaposition makes differences more obvious, helping readers see opposing viewpoints, values, or outcomes clearly.

To provoke thought
→ It encourages readers to reflect on the relationship between the ideas and consider deeper meanings.

To create tension or drama
→ Contrasting ideas can add emotional impact or urgency to a piece.

To strengthen an argument
→ Showing two sides — one positive, one negative — can make the writer’s position more persuasive.

200

What is the purpose of pejorative language?

Pejorative language refers to words or expressions that are negative, critical, or insulting, often used to belittle or discredit someone or something.

It is used to express disapproval or criticism
→ It shows the speaker’s negative attitude toward a person, group, idea, or action.

To persuade or influence opinion
→ In persuasive writing or speech, pejorative terms can sway the audience by making the opposing side seem undesirable or wrong.

To create emotional impact
→ It can provoke anger, disgust, or rejection, which strengthens the speaker’s argument or position.

To reinforce bias or stereotypes
→ Sometimes used (intentionally or unintentionally) to support prejudiced views or assumptions.

250

What is the purpose of allusion?

Allusion is a figure of speech that indirectly references another text/idea. Due to the indirect nature of this, it provides a context to the nature of an argument presented and aims to create a common thread with an audience. Aims to build a relationship of 'knowns'.