Review

Summarising Textual Elements

For each text we examine in English, we need to be aware of the specific elements and techniques that apply to such a text. For example, when studying stories, we need to know about narrative elements and literary techniques; for poetry, we need to know about poetic techniques; and so on. 

However, there are some things that are common to all of the texts we study, and this guide has focused on the meaning and purpose of these textual elements. 

So, let's review them.

All texts are a product of a particular time and place, and learning more about this context gives us a greater appreciation of how and why a text is created. In addition, a text is the product of whomever imagined and composed it, so it is worth learning more about this creator and their unique style. 

We also learned about the different types, forms and structures of texts, and how creators use these to achieve their intended purpose. This purpose relates to the subject matter of a text, while its tone can provide hints about a creator's attitude towards this topic. This can help us to determine the underlying theme of a text, which is related to the specific moods that a creator tries to evoke within their audience.

There is quite a lot to take in here, but through practice we become more proficient at breaking texts down into their respective elements, helping us to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the whole. 

More importantly, the knowledge we gain through textual analysis allows us to create our own texts, which we can use to communicate meaning in interesting and evocative ways.

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Textual Elements Guide