EMILY AND ANTHONY BOSCO INTO ENGLISH 2015

8 Key Elements of a Visual Text

Visual salience

The distinct perceptual quality that makes an object in the image stand
out and grab our attention.

Body language, facial

expression,
gestures
and stance
Proxemics

The attitude of the characters in the image and their behaviour may
help to convey the composers message/meaning about a particular
aspect of discovery.
The use of distances (between people or between people and objects),
which may suggest something about their relationship.
Colours have different connotations and symbolic meaning. They create
mood and influence the emotional response of the viewer.
Demand gaze the character stares directly at the viewer. This
confronts the viewer and demands communication between a
character and the viewer the images says I demand you to
Offer gaze the character is looking away from the viewer. This
invites the viewer into the world of the character, offering them
some kind of insight the image says I offer you
Visible actual lines connecting characters or objects in the
image.
Invisible lines created through gaze/sight.
Where an object in the image can be interpreted as a symbol for a
particular aspect of discovery.
These create perspective and help to convey attitude:

Colour
Gaze

Vectors

Visual symbolism
Shots and angles

Shots:
Close up and extreme close up shows detail and places
privilege and emphasis on aspects of the image dominates the
image and demands the viewers gaze
Mid shot further back, presents the relationship to something
else in the image
Long shot provides a whole view of the image, omnipotence,
contextual, can be panoramic wrapping the eye around a vista
to show a wider view or meaning.
Angles:
Frontal involvement
Side-on detachment
Verticals/low angles (looking up) power, dominance
Verticals/high angles (looking down) weakness, submission
Horizontal shots tend to give balance

EMILY AND ANTHONY BOSCO INTO ENGLISH 2015

8 Key Elements of a Poem

Title

Poetic
conceit/extended
metaphor

Metaphor, simile,
allusion or
personification
Motif
Symbolism

Repetition or refrain
Point of View

The title will give you a good idea of what the poem is about and is your
first clue to unlocking meaning. Think about whether you can relate the
title to discovery.
An extended comparison that governs the entire poem. As the poet
manipulates images, the responder gains a greater understanding of
the object of comparison. For example, in his poem Bearhug, Michael
Ondaatje explores a fathers love for his son by likening it to a bearhug,
drawing on the contrasting images of love, strength and brutality for
the purpose of reflecting on our compulsion to cast love in animalistic
terms.
Figurative devices of comparison that may reveal ideas relevant to
discovery.
A recurring theme or idea.
A symbol is an object which stands for something abstract. In other
words, a symbol associates two things (as distinct from a metaphor
which compares to seemingly dissimilar things). For example, the raven
symbolizes death.
Repetition adds emphasis and draws the responders attention to the
meaning inherent in the repeated word/phrase.
Is the poem written in 1st person or 3rd person?

EMILY AND ANTHONY BOSCO INTO ENGLISH 2015

Tone

Identifying the tone of a poem is essential when making claims about

discovery. This is because the tone reveals the speakers attitude to the
subject matter. Is the speaker:
Enthusiastic
Regretful
Anxious
Sorrowful
Resigned
Comforting
Defiant
Is there a shift in tone?

8 Key Elements of a Prose Fiction Text

Point of View

Structure

Characterisation

Setting

Is the narrative written in 1st person or 3rd person?

1st person draws the responder closer to the experiences of the
narrator, often allowing us to better understand their
experience of discovery.
3rd person limited focalizes the narrative through the main
protagonist, allowing the responder insight into the experiences
of the character.
3rd person omniscient is more objective and allows us to observe
all the characters and events of the narrative.
Typically, prose writing is structured around contrasting characters,
settings or situations. This means that there will often be a change in
the main character so watch for this and try to interpret the change
in terms of discovery.
Again, this is about contrast! Contrasting characters those who
prompt discovery in others versus those who make discoveries should
form the foundation of your thinking about characterisation. Then be
more specific old/young, experienced/inexperienced, parent/child,
contrasting cultural backgrounds etc.
The setting can often be used symbolically. For example, a domestic
setting home might symbolise the comfort and security of family
or childhood.

EMILY AND ANTHONY BOSCO INTO ENGLISH 2015

Motif
Symbolism

Modality

Sensory Imagery

A recurring theme or idea.

A symbol is an object which stands for something abstract. In other
words, a symbol associates two things (as distinct from a metaphor
which compares to seemingly dissimilar things). For example, a window
might symbolise a new world that a character longs to discover.
The selection of words, which indicates how certain we are.
High modality very certain e.g. I will definitely be returning
home.
Low modality uncertain e.g. Maybe I will return home
someday.
Images that are constructed through appeals to the different senses:
Visual (sight)
Aural (sound)
Olfactory (smell)
Tactile (touch)
Gustatory (taste)

8 Key Elements of a Non-Fiction Text

1st person narrative 1st person draws the responder closer to the experiences of the
point of view
narrator, often allowing us to better understand their experience of
discovery.
Structure
Typically, nonfiction texts are structured around a problem and how to
resolve this problem OR they are structured around cause and effect.
This means that the composer will often experience a realisation or go
through a significant change so watch for this and try to interpret it in
terms of discovery.
Characterisation
Similar to prose fiction, nonfiction texts also utilise contrasting
characters.
Setting
The setting can often be used symbolically. For example, a domestic
setting home might symbolise the comfort and security of family
or childhood.
Motif
A recurring theme or idea.
Symbolism
A symbol is an object which stands for something abstract. In other
words, a symbol associates two things (as distinct from a metaphor
which compares to seemingly dissimilar things). For example, a tea
party might symbolise sharing.
Reflective or nostalgic Often, a reflective or nostalgic tone is characteristic of nonfiction
tone
recounts. This helps to convey the impact of the situation being

EMILY AND ANTHONY BOSCO INTO ENGLISH 2015

Sensory Imagery

described or the impact of the passage of time and the extent to which
the composers perception of belonging has changed over time.
Images that are constructed through appeals to the different senses:
Visual (sight)
Aural (sound)
Olfactory (smell)
Tactile (touch)
Gustatory (taste)