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English Lang.

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A Level AQA English Language Frameworks & Terminology PDF

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A Level AQA English Language Frameworks & Terminology PDF

Aisha Khan

@aishakhan_cqgr

2 Followers

A Level English Language Frameworks: A Comprehensive Guide

This guide provides an in-depth exploration of the seven key frameworks used in A Level English Language analysis: Lexis, Semantics, Grammar, Phonology, Pragmatics, Discourse, and Graphology. It offers detailed explanations, examples, and terminology essential for students studying English language frameworks at A Level.

Covers fundamental concepts in linguistic analysis
Explores the interconnected nature of language frameworks
Provides essential terminology for A Level English Language students
Offers practical examples to illustrate theoretical concepts
Supports preparation for A Level English Language Past Papers

24/12/2022

1489

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Discourse: Extended Language Analysis

Discourse analysis examines extended stretches of language, focusing on how meaning is constructed across sentences and utterances in both spoken and written contexts.

Definition: Discourse refers to connected speech or writing extending beyond a single sentence, analyzed for its structure, meaning, and social significance.

Key aspects of discourse analysis include:

Mode: Examining spoken, written, or multimodal language
Point of view and perspective: Analyzing how speakers or writers manage their viewpoint
Turn-taking: Studying how participants in a conversation manage speaking turns
Topic management: Exploring how topics are introduced, developed, and concluded
Discourse markers: Identifying words or phrases that structure and organize discourse
Adjacency pairs: Analyzing paired utterances in conversation (e.g., question-answer)
Interruptions and overlaps: Examining how speakers negotiate simultaneous talk

Example: In a formal debate, discourse analysis might examine how speakers use opening statements, rebuttals, and closing arguments to structure their arguments.

Vocabulary:

Discourse markers: Words or phrases like "however," "in addition," or "on the other hand" that help organize and connect ideas in text or speech

Adjacency pairs: Sequences of two related utterances by different speakers, such as greeting-response or question-answer

Understanding discourse is crucial for analyzing extended texts and conversations, providing insights into how language is used to construct meaning over longer stretches. This knowledge is essential for A Level English Language students in their analysis of various text types and spoken language data.

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Frameworks Overview

The guide introduces seven essential frameworks for A Level English Language analysis, providing a comprehensive foundation for linguistic study.

Definition: Frameworks in English Language study are structured approaches used to analyze and understand different aspects of language use and meaning.

Each framework focuses on a specific aspect of language:

Lexis: The study of words and phrases
Semantics: The study of meaning in language
Grammar: The structure and arrangement of words in sentences
Phonology: The study of sounds in language
Pragmatics: The study of contextual meaning in communication
Discourse: The analysis of extended stretches of language
Graphology: The visual appearance of language

Highlight: Understanding these frameworks is crucial for comprehensive language analysis in A Level English Language coursework and examinations.

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Grammar: The Structure of Language

Grammar forms the backbone of language, providing the rules and structures that allow for coherent communication.

Definition: Grammar refers to the system of rules governing the structure of sentences and the relationships between words in a language.

Key aspects of grammatical analysis include:

Sentence types: Identifying declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, and imperative sentences
Word classes: Analyzing the use of nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and determiners
Sentence complexity: Examining simple, minor, compound, and complex sentence structures

Example: In the sentence "The cat quickly chased the small mouse," "cat" and "mouse" are nouns, "chased" is a verb, "quickly" is an adverb, and "small" is an adjective.

Vocabulary:

Declarative sentence: A statement that conveys information

Interrogative sentence: A question

Exclamatory sentence: An emphatic statement expressing strong emotion

Imperative sentence: A command or request

Understanding grammar is crucial for analyzing how language is structured to convey meaning effectively. This knowledge is essential for A Level English Language students in their analysis of various texts and preparation for examinations.

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Semantics: Unraveling Layers of Meaning

Semantics delves into the complex world of meaning in language, exploring how words and phrases convey information beyond their literal definitions.

Definition: Semantics is the study of meaning in language, encompassing both literal and implied meanings of words and phrases.

Key concepts in semantic analysis include:

Denotation: The literal, factual meaning of a word
Connotation: The personal or emotional associations of a word
Types of meaning: Positive, negative, and vague connotations
Contrast in meaning: Understanding synonyms and antonyms
Semantic change: Exploring how word meanings evolve over time

Example: The word "home" denotes a place where one lives, but it connotes comfort, security, and belonging.

Vocabulary:

Amelioration: The process by which a word's meaning becomes more positive over time

Pejoration: The process by which a word's meaning becomes more negative over time

Broadening: When a word's meaning becomes more inclusive over time

Narrowing: When a word's meaning becomes more specific over time

Semantic analysis is crucial for understanding the nuanced use of language in various texts, a key skill for A Level English Language students preparing for examinations and coursework.

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Pragmatics: Language in Context

Pragmatics focuses on how context influences the interpretation of language, exploring the meanings that speakers and writers intend to convey beyond the literal sense of their words.

Definition: Pragmatics is the study of how context contributes to meaning in language, examining how people use language in real-world situations.

Key aspects of pragmatic analysis include:

Utterance length: Analyzing the duration and structure of spoken contributions
Back-channeling: Examining listener responses that indicate engagement
Mitigating devices: Identifying language used to soften or hedge statements
Function recognition: Understanding the intended purpose of utterances beyond their grammatical form
Contextual meaning: Exploring how words and phrases take on specific meanings in particular contexts

Example: The question "Can you pass the salt?" is grammatically a yes/no question but pragmatically functions as a polite request.

Vocabulary:

Back-channeling: Verbal or non-verbal signals (like "uh-huh" or nodding) used by listeners to show they are engaged in a conversation

Mitigating devices: Language used to reduce the force of a statement, such as "sort of" or "kind of"

Understanding pragmatics is essential for analyzing how language is used effectively in various social contexts. This knowledge is crucial for A Level English Language students in their analysis of spoken language and the subtleties of communication in different situations.

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Graphology: The Visual Language

Graphology examines the visual aspects of written language, considering how the presentation of text contributes to its overall meaning and impact.

Definition: Graphology in linguistic analysis refers to the visual appearance of language, including typography, layout, and non-verbal elements.

Key elements of graphological analysis include:

Nature of characters: Distinguishing between handwritten and printed text
Font type and style: Analyzing the use of different fonts (e.g., Arial) and styles (standard, emboldened, italic)
Symbolic and iconic images: Examining the use of symbols and images within text
Color usage: Considering the role of color in text presentation
Text organization: Analyzing the layout and structure of written material

Example: A warning sign using bold, red text in all capitals conveys urgency and importance through its graphological features.

Highlight: Graphological analysis is particularly relevant in multimodal texts, where visual elements play a significant role in conveying meaning.

Understanding graphology is essential for comprehensive text analysis, especially in modern communication where visual elements are increasingly important. This knowledge is valuable for A Level English Language students analyzing a wide range of text types.

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Phonology: The Sound of Language

Phonology explores the sound systems of language, encompassing both the production of individual sounds and the patterns of sound in speech.

Definition: Phonology is the study of the sound systems of languages, including individual speech sounds (phonemes) and prosodic features such as stress, intonation, and rhythm.

Key aspects of phonological analysis include:

Phonetics: The study of speech sounds and their production
Phonemes: The smallest units of sound that can distinguish meaning in a language
Prosodic features: Characteristics of spoken delivery such as volume, stress, pitch, and fillers
Written representations of sound: Analyzing onomatopoeia, rhyme, and rhythm in written text
Accent features: Examining how accents are represented through deviant spelling

Example: In the word "cat" /kæt/, /k/, /æ/, and /t/ are individual phonemes that combine to create the word's sound.

Vocabulary:

Prosodic features: Aspects of speech such as intonation, stress, and rhythm that convey meaning beyond individual sounds

Onomatopoeia: Words that phonetically imitate the sounds they describe

Understanding phonology is crucial for analyzing spoken language and the representation of speech in written texts. This knowledge is particularly valuable for A Level English Language students studying accent, dialect, and the relationship between spoken and written language.

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Lexis: The Building Blocks of Language

Lexis focuses on the words and phrases used in a text or spoken data, forming the foundation of linguistic analysis.

Definition: Lexis refers to the vocabulary of a language, including individual words and set phrases.

Key aspects of lexical analysis include:

Word choices: Examination of jargon, dialect, slang, and colloquialisms
Formality and education indicators: How word choices reflect the speaker's background or context
Word types: Identification of compounds, acronyms, and blended words
Semantic significance: Analysis of word choices and their meanings in context

Example: In the sentence "The doctor utilized advanced medical terminology," the use of "utilized" instead of "used" and the phrase "advanced medical terminology" indicate a formal, professional context.

Vocabulary:

Jargon: Specialized language used within a particular field or profession

Colloquialism: Informal words or phrases used in everyday language

Blended words: New words created by combining parts of existing words (e.g., brunch from breakfast and lunch)

Understanding lexis is essential for analyzing the nuances of language use in various contexts, a key skill for A Level English Language students.

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Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

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I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

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The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.

Subjects

English Lang.

Language levels

Semantics & pragmatics

A Level AQA English Language Frameworks & Terminology PDF

Aisha Khan

@aishakhan_cqgr

2 Followers

A Level English Language Frameworks: A Comprehensive Guide

Covers fundamental concepts in linguistic analysis
Explores the interconnected nature of language frameworks
Provides essential terminology for A Level English Language students
Offers practical examples to illustrate theoretical concepts
Supports preparation for A Level English Language Past Papers

24/12/2022

1489

12/13

English Lang.

Discourse: Extended Language Analysis

Discourse analysis examines extended stretches of language, focusing on how meaning is constructed across sentences and utterances in both spoken and written contexts.

Definition: Discourse refers to connected speech or writing extending beyond a single sentence, analyzed for its structure, meaning, and social significance.

Key aspects of discourse analysis include:

Mode: Examining spoken, written, or multimodal language
Point of view and perspective: Analyzing how speakers or writers manage their viewpoint
Turn-taking: Studying how participants in a conversation manage speaking turns
Topic management: Exploring how topics are introduced, developed, and concluded
Discourse markers: Identifying words or phrases that structure and organize discourse
Adjacency pairs: Analyzing paired utterances in conversation (e.g., question-answer)
Interruptions and overlaps: Examining how speakers negotiate simultaneous talk

Example: In a formal debate, discourse analysis might examine how speakers use opening statements, rebuttals, and closing arguments to structure their arguments.

Vocabulary:

Discourse markers: Words or phrases like "however," "in addition," or "on the other hand" that help organize and connect ideas in text or speech

Adjacency pairs: Sequences of two related utterances by different speakers, such as greeting-response or question-answer

Frameworks Overview

The guide introduces seven essential frameworks for A Level English Language analysis, providing a comprehensive foundation for linguistic study.

Definition: Frameworks in English Language study are structured approaches used to analyze and understand different aspects of language use and meaning.

Each framework focuses on a specific aspect of language:

Lexis: The study of words and phrases
Semantics: The study of meaning in language
Grammar: The structure and arrangement of words in sentences
Phonology: The study of sounds in language
Pragmatics: The study of contextual meaning in communication
Discourse: The analysis of extended stretches of language
Graphology: The visual appearance of language

Highlight: Understanding these frameworks is crucial for comprehensive language analysis in A Level English Language coursework and examinations.

Grammar: The Structure of Language

Grammar forms the backbone of language, providing the rules and structures that allow for coherent communication.

Definition: Grammar refers to the system of rules governing the structure of sentences and the relationships between words in a language.

Key aspects of grammatical analysis include:

Sentence types: Identifying declarative, interrogative, exclamatory, and imperative sentences
Word classes: Analyzing the use of nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and determiners
Sentence complexity: Examining simple, minor, compound, and complex sentence structures

Example: In the sentence "The cat quickly chased the small mouse," "cat" and "mouse" are nouns, "chased" is a verb, "quickly" is an adverb, and "small" is an adjective.

Vocabulary:

Declarative sentence: A statement that conveys information

Interrogative sentence: A question

Exclamatory sentence: An emphatic statement expressing strong emotion

Imperative sentence: A command or request

Semantics: Unraveling Layers of Meaning

Semantics delves into the complex world of meaning in language, exploring how words and phrases convey information beyond their literal definitions.

Definition: Semantics is the study of meaning in language, encompassing both literal and implied meanings of words and phrases.

Key concepts in semantic analysis include:

Denotation: The literal, factual meaning of a word
Connotation: The personal or emotional associations of a word
Types of meaning: Positive, negative, and vague connotations
Contrast in meaning: Understanding synonyms and antonyms
Semantic change: Exploring how word meanings evolve over time

Example: The word "home" denotes a place where one lives, but it connotes comfort, security, and belonging.

Vocabulary:

Amelioration: The process by which a word's meaning becomes more positive over time

Pejoration: The process by which a word's meaning becomes more negative over time

Broadening: When a word's meaning becomes more inclusive over time

Narrowing: When a word's meaning becomes more specific over time

Semantic analysis is crucial for understanding the nuanced use of language in various texts, a key skill for A Level English Language students preparing for examinations and coursework.

Pragmatics: Language in Context

Pragmatics focuses on how context influences the interpretation of language, exploring the meanings that speakers and writers intend to convey beyond the literal sense of their words.

Definition: Pragmatics is the study of how context contributes to meaning in language, examining how people use language in real-world situations.

Key aspects of pragmatic analysis include:

Utterance length: Analyzing the duration and structure of spoken contributions
Back-channeling: Examining listener responses that indicate engagement
Mitigating devices: Identifying language used to soften or hedge statements
Function recognition: Understanding the intended purpose of utterances beyond their grammatical form
Contextual meaning: Exploring how words and phrases take on specific meanings in particular contexts

Example: The question "Can you pass the salt?" is grammatically a yes/no question but pragmatically functions as a polite request.

Vocabulary:

Back-channeling: Verbal or non-verbal signals (like "uh-huh" or nodding) used by listeners to show they are engaged in a conversation

Mitigating devices: Language used to reduce the force of a statement, such as "sort of" or "kind of"

Graphology: The Visual Language

Graphology examines the visual aspects of written language, considering how the presentation of text contributes to its overall meaning and impact.

Definition: Graphology in linguistic analysis refers to the visual appearance of language, including typography, layout, and non-verbal elements.

Key elements of graphological analysis include:

Nature of characters: Distinguishing between handwritten and printed text
Font type and style: Analyzing the use of different fonts (e.g., Arial) and styles (standard, emboldened, italic)
Symbolic and iconic images: Examining the use of symbols and images within text
Color usage: Considering the role of color in text presentation
Text organization: Analyzing the layout and structure of written material

Example: A warning sign using bold, red text in all capitals conveys urgency and importance through its graphological features.

Highlight: Graphological analysis is particularly relevant in multimodal texts, where visual elements play a significant role in conveying meaning.

Phonology: The Sound of Language

Phonology explores the sound systems of language, encompassing both the production of individual sounds and the patterns of sound in speech.

Definition: Phonology is the study of the sound systems of languages, including individual speech sounds (phonemes) and prosodic features such as stress, intonation, and rhythm.

Key aspects of phonological analysis include:

Phonetics: The study of speech sounds and their production
Phonemes: The smallest units of sound that can distinguish meaning in a language
Prosodic features: Characteristics of spoken delivery such as volume, stress, pitch, and fillers
Written representations of sound: Analyzing onomatopoeia, rhyme, and rhythm in written text
Accent features: Examining how accents are represented through deviant spelling

Example: In the word "cat" /kæt/, /k/, /æ/, and /t/ are individual phonemes that combine to create the word's sound.

Vocabulary:

Prosodic features: Aspects of speech such as intonation, stress, and rhythm that convey meaning beyond individual sounds

Onomatopoeia: Words that phonetically imitate the sounds they describe

Lexis: The Building Blocks of Language

Lexis focuses on the words and phrases used in a text or spoken data, forming the foundation of linguistic analysis.

Definition: Lexis refers to the vocabulary of a language, including individual words and set phrases.

Key aspects of lexical analysis include:

Word choices: Examination of jargon, dialect, slang, and colloquialisms
Formality and education indicators: How word choices reflect the speaker's background or context
Word types: Identification of compounds, acronyms, and blended words
Semantic significance: Analysis of word choices and their meanings in context

Example: In the sentence "The doctor utilized advanced medical terminology," the use of "utilized" instead of "used" and the phrase "advanced medical terminology" indicate a formal, professional context.

Vocabulary:

Jargon: Specialized language used within a particular field or profession

Colloquialism: Informal words or phrases used in everyday language

Blended words: New words created by combining parts of existing words (e.g., brunch from breakfast and lunch)

Understanding lexis is essential for analyzing the nuances of language use in various contexts, a key skill for A Level English Language students.

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Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

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Pupils love Knowunity

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In education app charts in 12 countries

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Students have uploaded notes

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iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

A Level AQA English Language Frameworks & Terminology PDF

Discourse: Extended Language Analysis

Frameworks Overview

Grammar: The Structure of Language

Semantics: Unraveling Layers of Meaning

Pragmatics: Language in Context

Graphology: The Visual Language

Phonology: The Sound of Language

Lexis: The Building Blocks of Language

Similar content

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

4.9+

13 M

#1

950 K+

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.

A Level AQA English Language Frameworks & Terminology PDF

Discourse: Extended Language Analysis

Frameworks Overview

Grammar: The Structure of Language

Semantics: Unraveling Layers of Meaning

Pragmatics: Language in Context

Graphology: The Visual Language

Phonology: The Sound of Language

Lexis: The Building Blocks of Language

Similar content

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

4.9+

13 M

#1

950 K+

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.