The importance of terminology

Studying English Language & Literature at A-Level, whether at AS or A2, as part of a combined course, you will be assessed on your ability to:

'Select and apply relevant concepts and approaches from integrated linguistic and literary study, using appropriate terminology'.

Although you will not necessarily need to distinguish between linguistic and literary approaches, you will be expected to identify a range of techniques and devices, and to be able to comment on their effects. In particular, you will need to identify aspects of form, structure and language and say how the writer has used them to shape meaning. Simply pointing out linguistic or literary devices (known as 'feature spotting) won't earn you many marks but identifying a technique, using the proper term, and then saying what effect it has, is the basis of good textual analysis.