When writing a language analysis essay for VCE English, it is important to consider the impact the author’s words are intended to have upon their audience. This is because authors try to position their audience to think and feel in a way that will support the author’s point of view.
For example, an author might say something along the lines of:
“If we don’t switch to renewables now, our children will inherit an earth scarred by the cruelty of climate change.”
In this sentence, the author is trying to elicit fear in their audience in the hope that this emotion will make the audience more receptive to their message.
When writing about intended effects such as these, VCE English students tend to overuse the phrase ‘positions the reader’. If you really want your language analysis essay to stand out from the crowd – whether that’s in a SAC or during the final exam – try to use some of the below phrases instead.
Alternatives to ‘positions the reader’ for VCE English language analysis
For a printable PDF of this study resource, please click here: Alternatives to positions the reader PDF.
Alternatives to ‘positions the reader’ for friendly, happy, inclusive, or warm intended effects
| Invites the reader to
Encourages the reader to Seduces the reader into Rouse the readers Triggers the reader’s Stirs the reader’s Activates feelings of Includes the reader in Coaxes the reader into Entices the reader to Praises the reader’s |
Sparks the reader’s
Spurs the reader’s Kindles the reader’s Offers the reader Soothes the reader’s Compliments the reader’s Flatters the reader’s Charms the reader into Empowers the reader to Emboldens the reader to |
Galvanises the reader’s sense of
Attracts the reader’s Aims to endow the reader with Enthrals the reader with Entrances the reader with Captivates the reader’s Motivates the reader to Fuels the reader’s Induces the reader |
Alternatives to ‘positions the reader’ for subtle effects
| Prompts the reader to
Allows the reader to Elicits the reader’s sense of |
May evoke feelings of/a sense of
Aims to generate (emotion) in the reader Aims to focus the reader’s attention upon |
Permits the reader to
Gently draws forth the reader’s Subtly appeals to the reader’s |
Alternatives to ‘positions the reader’ for confrontational, challenging effects
| Reminders the readers of
Confronts readers with Provokes strong thoughts, feelings of Compels the reader to Undermines the reader’s Deters the reader from Taunts the reader’s Scares the reader into
|
Dares the reader to
Forces the reader to Scorns the reader’s Pressures readers to Challenges readers to Incites the reader’s sense of (emotion) Question’s the reader’s Baits the reader’s |
Discourages the reader from
Enflames the reader’s Rouses the reader’s sense of Goads the reader’s Warns the reader off Ridicules the reader’s Mocks the reader’s Contests the reader’s |
.