Denotation - refers to the straightforward, objecttive meaning of the word
Connotation - Is the association that a word has : the negative or positive ideas aroused by it
Figurative texts - Refers to metaphors, similies etc.
Semantic fields - A group od words with assosiated meanings and uses
Hypernym - A general word that describes a category within which there are more specific words, these specific words are called hyponyms
Synonyms - Are words that are similar in meaning
Antonyms - Are words that have the opposite meaning
Pun - Humourous play on words that depends on a word or phrase having a double meaning
Oxymoron - Contradictory words or phrases are brought together
Pathetic fallacy - Weather/atmosphere reflects the mood
Formal and Informal Lexis
Formal lexis is serious and impersonal, and is generally more likely to be written than spoken. Informal lexis is relaxed and conversational, and is more likely to be spoken than written, though it is found in many written texts.
Formal words are often complex any polysyllabic, whereas informal words are often symple and monosyllabic e.g. automobile is more formal than car.
Ambiguity (It has more than one meaning):
Irony: Saying or writing the opposite or what is actually meant. It is also used to refer to an event having consequences that are the opposite of those expected or intented (e.g. he told her he forgave her but ironically this only made her feel more guilty.)
Dramatic irony: This occurs when something is said in a play but has a deeper meaning or significance which is understood by the audience but not by all of the characters.
Emotive language
Language that is intended to produce response in the reader or listener is described as emotive words such as distressing, harrowing, heartwarming and uplifting are obvious examples. It can also be contrasted with referential language, which is neutral, factual and objective.
Moments in plays and novels that arouse strong feeling or pity and grief are said to have Pathos.
Connotation - Is the association that a word has : the negative or positive ideas aroused by it
Figurative texts - Refers to metaphors, similies etc.
Semantic fields - A group od words with assosiated meanings and uses
Hypernym - A general word that describes a category within which there are more specific words, these specific words are called hyponyms
Synonyms - Are words that are similar in meaning
Antonyms - Are words that have the opposite meaning
Pun - Humourous play on words that depends on a word or phrase having a double meaning
Oxymoron - Contradictory words or phrases are brought together
Pathetic fallacy - Weather/atmosphere reflects the mood
Formal and Informal Lexis
Formal lexis is serious and impersonal, and is generally more likely to be written than spoken. Informal lexis is relaxed and conversational, and is more likely to be spoken than written, though it is found in many written texts.
Formal words are often complex any polysyllabic, whereas informal words are often symple and monosyllabic e.g. automobile is more formal than car.
Ambiguity (It has more than one meaning):
Irony: Saying or writing the opposite or what is actually meant. It is also used to refer to an event having consequences that are the opposite of those expected or intented (e.g. he told her he forgave her but ironically this only made her feel more guilty.)
Dramatic irony: This occurs when something is said in a play but has a deeper meaning or significance which is understood by the audience but not by all of the characters.
Emotive language
Language that is intended to produce response in the reader or listener is described as emotive words such as distressing, harrowing, heartwarming and uplifting are obvious examples. It can also be contrasted with referential language, which is neutral, factual and objective.
Moments in plays and novels that arouse strong feeling or pity and grief are said to have Pathos.
Garden description + commentary concentrating on lexis and semantics:
My garden is a place of serenity and calm where nothing in the world could disturb the peaceful atmosphere. Bunches of roses and tulips stood gracefully against the dark brown leaning fence, with little daisiespopping up here and there through the entangled vines and bushes. The grass lay flat where the pathway had been engraved and stood tall in places to protect the delicate flowers that had been planted there. Although my garden is
abundant in beauty the most prominent feature is the lemon tree which is fixated right in the middle of this little serene world. During the summer you see the garden covered in little yellow spots like bursts of sunshine against
the deep green grass whilst the citrus smell fills the air. There is always a light breeze flowing through the garden and fluttering through the tall green bushes, rustling the few unsettled leaves dropping like feathers to the ground.The sun gazes down at this beautiful scene and smiles in contentment as it illuminates the lengthy skies and warms the creatures in their habitats. The warm weather also makes all the children want to come out and play, swinging on the trees and rolling around on the grass playing duck, duck goose. All the little girls sit in a little circle making daisy chains and nests full of grass and straw for when the birds come out whilst all the boys play football and play fight. Overall my garden is filled with nothing but happiness and laughter and a many memories that are plastered in this magnificent place.
Commentary
In my writing I chose to describe my back garden, portraying it as an amazing and magical place to be through my semantical and lexical choices to create a rather picturesque scene. With my verb choices I tried to use them in a way with conveys the serenity and fun in the environment, like 'little daisies popping up,' because the word popping is quite sudden and gives the element of surprise. Verbs such as 'engraved' were to show that this garden has had a lot of things happening in it and that a lot of people had to have been through it for a path to be engraved in the grass. In addition I used the word 'protect' to describe the grass covering the flowers to create a sense of security and safety in the garden since I later talk about the children playing there. Words such as 'flowing', 'swinging' and 'rolling' were also used to create a pleasant and fun atmosphere to describe the environment and reflect the children's activities.
To make my garden feel like a magical and lively place I have used a lot of personification such as the 'tulips stood gracefully' and 'the sun gazes down at this beautiful scene and smiles'. To emphasise the beauty of the flowers I gave them the characteristics of a woman hence the 'stood gracefully' and with the sun I wanted to highlight the situation of something looking into this scene and feeling happy, which is what I would want the reader to feel. To get the same effect I used similes to amplify the fallen lemons and how pretty they look by saying they are 'burst of sunshine' which makes everything feel lighter as well as the leaves being 'like feathers' it makes you feel very lighthearted and comfortable.
All of the figurative language creates very picturesque imagery but there are a few more pieces of description which creates a lot of active imagery such as 'the citrus smell fills the air' this makes you imagine the smell like you are there as it plays on the five senses. There are also things like 'illuminates the lengthy skies and warms the creatures' which makes the reader picture a never ending sky which makes you feel like you could stay in the garden all day and you can also imagine the heat coming from the sun. The description of all of the children playing is also very imaginable like the games of duck, duck goose and the girls making daisy chains
because this is something most people can relate themselves to as being children and doing similar things.
Overall the language I used I think evoked quite a lot of emotion in the sense that the reader can imagine themselves in the garden due do the imagery I created but also through a certain extent of complex language which I have included such as 'abundant in beauty' and 'smiles in contentment'. Therefore I would say the language has a hint on complexity in it but not formal as I am trying to create a fun and laid back environment.
abundant in beauty the most prominent feature is the lemon tree which is fixated right in the middle of this little serene world. During the summer you see the garden covered in little yellow spots like bursts of sunshine against
the deep green grass whilst the citrus smell fills the air. There is always a light breeze flowing through the garden and fluttering through the tall green bushes, rustling the few unsettled leaves dropping like feathers to the ground.The sun gazes down at this beautiful scene and smiles in contentment as it illuminates the lengthy skies and warms the creatures in their habitats. The warm weather also makes all the children want to come out and play, swinging on the trees and rolling around on the grass playing duck, duck goose. All the little girls sit in a little circle making daisy chains and nests full of grass and straw for when the birds come out whilst all the boys play football and play fight. Overall my garden is filled with nothing but happiness and laughter and a many memories that are plastered in this magnificent place.
Commentary
In my writing I chose to describe my back garden, portraying it as an amazing and magical place to be through my semantical and lexical choices to create a rather picturesque scene. With my verb choices I tried to use them in a way with conveys the serenity and fun in the environment, like 'little daisies popping up,' because the word popping is quite sudden and gives the element of surprise. Verbs such as 'engraved' were to show that this garden has had a lot of things happening in it and that a lot of people had to have been through it for a path to be engraved in the grass. In addition I used the word 'protect' to describe the grass covering the flowers to create a sense of security and safety in the garden since I later talk about the children playing there. Words such as 'flowing', 'swinging' and 'rolling' were also used to create a pleasant and fun atmosphere to describe the environment and reflect the children's activities.
To make my garden feel like a magical and lively place I have used a lot of personification such as the 'tulips stood gracefully' and 'the sun gazes down at this beautiful scene and smiles'. To emphasise the beauty of the flowers I gave them the characteristics of a woman hence the 'stood gracefully' and with the sun I wanted to highlight the situation of something looking into this scene and feeling happy, which is what I would want the reader to feel. To get the same effect I used similes to amplify the fallen lemons and how pretty they look by saying they are 'burst of sunshine' which makes everything feel lighter as well as the leaves being 'like feathers' it makes you feel very lighthearted and comfortable.
All of the figurative language creates very picturesque imagery but there are a few more pieces of description which creates a lot of active imagery such as 'the citrus smell fills the air' this makes you imagine the smell like you are there as it plays on the five senses. There are also things like 'illuminates the lengthy skies and warms the creatures' which makes the reader picture a never ending sky which makes you feel like you could stay in the garden all day and you can also imagine the heat coming from the sun. The description of all of the children playing is also very imaginable like the games of duck, duck goose and the girls making daisy chains
because this is something most people can relate themselves to as being children and doing similar things.
Overall the language I used I think evoked quite a lot of emotion in the sense that the reader can imagine themselves in the garden due do the imagery I created but also through a certain extent of complex language which I have included such as 'abundant in beauty' and 'smiles in contentment'. Therefore I would say the language has a hint on complexity in it but not formal as I am trying to create a fun and laid back environment.