IB DP English Language and Literature

Paper 1: Analysis Templates

Example Analysis Templates

This document provides example analysis templates for various non-literary text types commonly encountered in IB DP English Language and Literature Paper 1. Each template demonstrates how to approach and analyze different text types, focusing on their unique features and conventions.

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News Article Analysis Template

Guiding Question: "How does the writer establish authority and credibility in this news article?"

Introduction

This news article titled "[article title]" published in [publication] on [date] reports on [topic/event]. Written by [author if known], the article employs journalistic conventions to present information about [subject] to [target audience]. The writer establishes authority and credibility through [key technique 1], [key technique 2], and [key technique 3]. This analysis will examine how these techniques work together to create a sense of reliability and trustworthiness in the reporting.

Body Paragraph 1: Structure and Organization

The article follows a conventional news structure, beginning with a [describe lead paragraph] that immediately establishes [what it establishes]. This approach follows the inverted pyramid structure, presenting the most crucial information ([what information]) first to [purpose of this structure]. The writer organizes subsequent information by [organizational principle], which creates a logical progression from [starting point] to [endpoint]. Subheadings such as "[example subheading]" segment the information into [how it segments information], allowing readers to [benefit to readers]. This structured approach contributes to the article's credibility by [how it contributes to credibility], reflecting journalistic standards that signal professionalism and reliability.

Body Paragraph 2: Sources and Evidence

The writer establishes authority primarily through the strategic use of sources and evidence. The article cites [number/variety] of sources, including [types of sources], which provides [what this provides]. For example, the quote from [source name], "[quote]," lends credibility through [how it lends credibility]. Statistical evidence such as "[statistical example]" offers [what statistics offer]. The writer balances [type of source] with [contrasting type of source], creating [what this balance creates]. By attributing information to [types of authorities], the writer positions the article as [how this positions the article]. These sourcing techniques establish the writer as [how writer is established] while maintaining journalistic objectivity.

Body Paragraph 3: Language and Tone

The language and tone of the article further reinforce its credibility. The writer employs a [describe register/tone] register characterized by [language features] that creates an impression of [impression created]. Sentence structures tend to be [describe sentence patterns], which contributes to [what this contributes to]. The writer carefully uses modality through words like "[modal example 1]" and "[modal example 2]" to [purpose of modality]. Notably, the article [describes/avoids] emotionally charged language, instead opting for [alternative approach] when discussing [controversial aspects]. This measured approach positions the writer as [how writer is positioned] and appeals to readers seeking [what readers seek in news]. The consistent use of [specific language feature] throughout the article maintains a tone of [tone] that aligns with expectations of serious journalism.

Conclusion

Through its effective use of structure, sources, and language, this news article successfully establishes authority and credibility. The writer demonstrates journalistic competence by adhering to conventions of news reporting while providing [what is provided to readers]. The article's strongest element is its [strongest element], which particularly enhances its credibility. However, the article might have strengthened its authority further by [potential improvement]. This analysis demonstrates how journalistic texts establish credibility not only through factual content but through strategic choices in structure, sourcing, and language that signal reliability and trustworthiness to readers.

Speech Analysis Template

Guiding Question: "How does the speaker use rhetorical devices to persuade the audience?"

Introduction

This speech delivered by [speaker] on [date/occasion] addresses the topic of [topic] to an audience of [audience description]. The speech employs powerful rhetorical strategies to persuade listeners about [main argument/position]. Specifically, the speaker uses [key rhetorical device 1], [key rhetorical device 2], and [key rhetorical device 3] to create a compelling argument that resonates with the audience. This analysis will examine how these rhetorical devices function to persuade listeners and advance the speaker's purpose.

Body Paragraph 1: Ethos (Ethical Appeals)

The speaker establishes credibility and authority through several ethical appeals. In the opening, the speaker references [specific reference] to establish [what this establishes]. By mentioning [personal experience/qualification], the speaker positions themselves as [how speaker is positioned]. The language choices reflect a [tone/register] that conveys [what it conveys about character], particularly evident in phrases such as "[example phrase]." The speaker acknowledges [opposing viewpoint/limitation] which demonstrates [what this demonstrates] and builds trust with the audience. These ethical appeals work together to create an impression of [impression created], which is essential for persuading the audience about [topic] because [why ethos is important for this topic].

Body Paragraph 2: Pathos (Emotional Appeals)

The speech employs powerful emotional appeals to connect with the audience and reinforce its message. The speaker uses vivid imagery in descriptions such as "[example of imagery]" to evoke [emotion evoked]. Anecdotes about [anecdote subject] create [emotional effect] by [how they create this effect]. The repetition of phrases like "[repeated phrase]" builds emotional intensity around [concept/idea] and creates a sense of [what it creates]. The speaker's strategic use of [tone shifts/pauses/volume] during sections about [topic section] further intensifies the emotional impact by [how it intensifies impact]. These pathetic appeals are particularly effective with this audience because [why effective with this audience] and support the speaker's argument by [how they support the argument].

Body Paragraph 3: Logos (Logical Appeals)

The speaker constructs a logical argument through careful reasoning and evidence. The speech is structured around [logical structure], moving from [starting premise] to [conclusion] through [logical progression]. Key evidence includes [example of statistical evidence] and [example of factual evidence], which support the claim that [claim supported]. The speaker employs logical devices such as [logical device] when arguing that "[argument example]," which demonstrates [what it demonstrates]. Potential counterarguments are addressed through [how counterarguments are addressed], particularly when the speaker states, "[quote addressing counterargument]." This logical framework strengthens the persuasive effect by [how it strengthens persuasion] and appeals to audience members who value [what audience values] in decision-making.

Conclusion

Through the strategic integration of ethical, emotional, and logical appeals, this speech effectively persuades its audience about [main argument]. The speaker demonstrates rhetorical skill by adapting persuasive techniques to both the subject matter and the specific audience. Particularly effective is the speaker's use of [most effective technique], which resonates strongly because [why it resonates]. The speech exemplifies how rhetorical devices can be employed not merely as ornamental features but as essential tools for constructing persuasive arguments. Ultimately, the speech's persuasive power derives from its balanced combination of credibility, emotional resonance, and logical coherence, all directed toward [speech purpose].

Website Analysis Template

Guiding Question: "How does the design and content of this website reflect its purpose and target audience?"

Introduction

This analysis examines the homepage of [website name], a website designed for [purpose] targeting [target audience]. Created by [organization/company], the website employs multimodal elements including [key element 1], [key element 2], and [key element 3] to engage users and achieve its communicative goals. This analysis will explore how the website's design and content choices reflect its purpose and are tailored to its intended audience.

Body Paragraph 1: Visual Design and Layout

The website's visual design immediately establishes its identity and purpose through strategic design choices. The color scheme of [describe colors] creates associations with [what colors suggest] and establishes a [mood/tone] that aligns with [how it aligns with purpose]. The layout follows a [describe layout pattern] structure that prioritizes [what is prioritized] through [how it is prioritized], reflecting the site creators' understanding that [audience characteristic]. Navigation elements are positioned [where positioned] and designed with [design characteristics] to facilitate [user behavior]. The use of [visual element] in the [location] draws attention to [what it highlights], which serves the website's purpose by [how it serves purpose]. These design choices collectively create a visual identity that communicates [what it communicates] to visitors within seconds of arriving at the site.

Body Paragraph 2: Content and Language

The website's content and language choices further reflect its purpose and target audience. The homepage features [content types] that address [audience needs/interests]. Headings such as "[example heading]" employ [language features] to [purpose of language features]. The predominant register is [formal/informal/technical], characterized by [register characteristics] that would appeal to [who it appeals to]. Key terminology includes field-specific terms like "[example term 1]" and "[example term 2]," which suggests [what terminology suggests]. Call-to-action phrases such as "[example CTA]" use [verb forms/modality] to encourage [desired user action]. The content balances [content type 1] with [content type 2], reflecting an understanding that the target audience values both [value 1] and [value 2]. These language choices position the website as [how website is positioned] and establish a relationship with users based on [relationship basis].

Body Paragraph 3: Interactive and Multimedia Elements

The website employs interactive and multimedia elements that enhance user engagement and support its purpose. Interactive features include [interactive feature 1] and [interactive feature 2], which allow users to [what users can do]. These features reflect an understanding that the target audience [audience characteristic related to interactivity]. Multimedia content such as [video/audio/animation example] serves to [purpose of multimedia] and appeals to [audience preference]. The integration of [social media/user-generated content] creates [what it creates] and positions the website as [how it positions the website]. Loading times and responsiveness suggest prioritization of [what is prioritized], indicating awareness that the target audience [audience characteristic related to technical aspects]. These elements collectively create a [type of] experience that aligns with [website purpose] while accommodating the preferences and behaviors of [target audience].

Conclusion

The [website name] homepage effectively reflects its purpose of [purpose] through carefully considered design, content, and interactive elements tailored to its target audience of [audience]. The website's most successful aspect is its [most successful aspect], which particularly supports its goals by [how it supports goals]. Areas where the website might better serve its purpose include [potential improvement area], which would enhance [what would be enhanced]. This analysis demonstrates how websites, as complex multimodal texts, communicate not only through explicit content but through design choices, interactive features, and overall user experience—all of which can be "read" and analyzed as meaningful semiotic choices that reflect purpose and audience awareness.

Infographic Analysis Template

Guiding Question: "How does this infographic use visual and textual elements to communicate complex information?"

Introduction

This infographic titled "[infographic title]" created by [creator] presents information about [subject] for an audience of [target audience]. As a multimodal text designed to [purpose], the infographic employs [key technique 1], [key technique 2], and [key technique 3] to communicate complex information in an accessible format. This analysis will examine how visual and textual elements work together to effectively convey information and engage the audience.

Body Paragraph 1: Visual Organization and Hierarchy

The infographic employs a strategic visual organization that guides the viewer's understanding of complex information. The layout follows a [describe layout structure] pattern that creates a [type of] reading path from [starting point] to [endpoint]. Visual hierarchy is established through [techniques for hierarchy] with [most important element] given prominence through [how prominence is given]. The use of [visual dividers/sections/white space] segments information into [how information is segmented], allowing viewers to [benefit to viewers]. Color coding is employed to [purpose of color coding], with [color example] representing [what it represents]. These organizational choices reflect the creator's understanding that [audience characteristic] and facilitate comprehension by [how they facilitate comprehension].

Body Paragraph 2: Data Visualization Techniques

The infographic effectively transforms complex data into accessible visual representations through various visualization techniques. The creator employs [chart/graph type] to represent [what it represents], which enables viewers to [what viewers can understand]. Proportional elements such as [example of proportional element] visually communicate [what they communicate] without requiring detailed numerical analysis. The use of [visualization technique] for comparing [what is compared] is particularly effective because [why effective]. Simplification occurs through [simplification technique], which distills [complex concept] into [simplified representation]. These visualization choices balance accuracy with accessibility, prioritizing [what is prioritized] for an audience that [audience characteristic]. The effectiveness of these techniques is evident in how they transform [specific complex data] into [resulting visual understanding].

Body Paragraph 3: Integration of Text and Typography

The textual elements of the infographic complement its visual components through strategic integration and typographic choices. The infographic uses a hierarchy of text with [describe text hierarchy] that guides readers from [starting information] to [detailed information]. Key statistics and facts are highlighted through [highlighting technique], drawing attention to [what is emphasized]. The language is characterized by [language characteristics] with technical terms like "[technical term]" [explained/not explained], reflecting assumptions about [audience knowledge]. Typography choices include [font choices] for [text elements], which creates [what it creates] and enhances [what it enhances]. The ratio of text to visuals favors [text or visuals], indicating the creator's understanding that [understanding of audience preference]. These textual elements work with the visuals to [how they work with visuals] rather than merely duplicating information.

Conclusion

This infographic successfully communicates complex information about [subject] through the effective integration of visual organization, data visualization techniques, and strategic text usage. The creator demonstrates understanding of both the subject matter and the needs of the target audience by prioritizing [what is prioritized] and employing design principles that enhance comprehension. Particularly successful is the infographic's use of [most successful element], which transforms [difficult concept] into [accessible understanding]. Areas for potential improvement include [suggestion for improvement], which would enhance [what would be enhanced]. This analysis demonstrates how infographics function as sophisticated multimodal texts that require deliberate design choices to successfully translate complex information into accessible visual communication.

Blog Post Analysis Template

Guiding Question: "How does the writer establish a distinctive voice and connect with readers in this blog post?"

Introduction

This blog post titled "[blog post title]" published on [blog name/platform] by [author] addresses the topic of [topic] for an audience interested in [audience interest]. As a digital text that aims to [purpose], the blog post employs [key technique 1], [key technique 2], and [key technique 3] to establish a distinctive voice and build connection with readers. This analysis will examine how the writer's stylistic and structural choices create an engaging online text that resonates with its intended audience.

Body Paragraph 1: Personal Voice and Tone

The writer establishes a distinctive voice through consistent tonal and stylistic choices that create a sense of personality. The overall tone is [describe tone], evident in phrases such as "[example phrase]" that convey [what they convey]. The writer employs [register/formality level] that positions them as [how writer is positioned] in relation to the subject and readers. Personal anecdotes, such as the story about [anecdote subject], create [what they create] by [how they create it]. The use of [sentence pattern/length variation] creates a rhythm that mimics [what it mimics], particularly evident when the writer states, "[example of distinctive syntax]." First-person perspective is used [consistently/strategically] to [purpose of first-person], creating a sense of [what it creates]. These voice elements collectively establish the writer as [writer persona], which appeals to readers seeking [what readers seek] in blog content about this topic.

Body Paragraph 2: Reader Engagement Techniques

The blog post actively works to engage readers through various direct and indirect techniques. The writer addresses readers directly through [techniques for direct address], such as questions like "[example question]" that [purpose of questions]. Inclusive language such as "[example of inclusive language]" creates [what it creates] between writer and reader. The writer anticipates reader responses by [how writer anticipates responses], particularly when addressing potential objections with phrases like "[example phrase]." Interactive elements include [interactive elements] that invite [what they invite]. The content acknowledges different viewpoints through [how different viewpoints are acknowledged], demonstrating [what this demonstrates]. These engagement techniques reflect the conversational nature of blog writing while establishing [what they establish] with the audience, encouraging readers to [desired reader response].

Body Paragraph 3: Digital-Specific Features

The blog post utilizes features specific to digital writing that enhance both its voice and reader connection. The structure employs [structural features] such as [specific examples] that accommodate online reading behaviors characterized by [reading behavior]. Hyperlinks to [link destinations] serve to [purpose of links] while positioning the writer as [how links position writer]. The integration of [media elements] provides [what they provide] and appeals to [audience preference for media]. Digital-specific language includes [examples of digital language/conventions] that signal [what they signal] to the audience. The post's [length/segmentation] reflects an understanding of [understanding of digital reading]. These digital-specific choices demonstrate the writer's awareness of how online texts are consumed differently from print texts, adapting traditional writing techniques to the digital environment to maintain reader engagement throughout.

Conclusion

Through its effective combination of personal voice, reader engagement techniques, and digital-specific features, this blog post successfully establishes a distinctive authorial presence while creating connection with its audience. The writer demonstrates understanding of blog conventions and reader expectations in the digital space, particularly through [most effective element]. The post exemplifies how online writing differs from traditional forms, requiring adaptations that maintain reader interest in an environment characterized by abundance of content and potential distractions. The writer's approach is particularly effective for [specific audience segment] because [why effective]. This analysis demonstrates how blog posts function as conversational yet crafted texts that balance personal expression with audience awareness to create engaging digital content.

Conclusion

These templates provide structured approaches to analyzing different non-literary text types commonly found in IB DP English Language and Literature Paper 1. While each template is tailored to the specific conventions and features of its text type, all follow the fundamental principles of effective textual analysis:

  1. Identifying the text's purpose, audience, and context
  2. Analyzing specific textual features and techniques
  3. Explaining how these features create meaning and achieve the text's purpose
  4. Evaluating the effectiveness of the text

Students should adapt these templates to the specific texts they encounter, focusing on the most relevant and significant features while addressing the guiding question. Remember that these templates are starting points—effective analysis should be responsive to the unique characteristics of each text rather than following a rigid formula.