1. The 7 basic effects of language continued
Part 3
Welcome to the third and final part of the language effects. I am Lungelwa Phakathi one of your English studies lecturer.

2. Reiterate
In the poem "It Is a Beauteous Evening" by William Wordsworth, the first line already introduces the idea of tranquility through the word "calm".
This tranquility is immediately repeated (reiterated) in the simile presented in the second line - "the holy time is quiet as a Nun"
A Nun being a holy woman who is expected to be quiet so as to invoke inner peace that can spill over to the environment, thus making it holy and peaceful.
Reiteration as the word indicates, focuses on repetition. Poets tend to do this often however it is a style applied in other genres, e.g. Shakespearean plays – you find the same idea being repeated in different forms within a character’s utterance, during a dialogue/monologue. This example shows how a combination of diction through the word “calm” and poetic device in the simile, is used to repeat a certain concept, in this case, tranquility.
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3. Emphasize
This effect is closely related to the previous one (Reiteration).
In most cases when one repeats something it is for the purpose of emphasis, therefore reiteration automatically leads to emphasis.
In the previous discussion for Reiteration we can see how by reiterating the idea of tranquility through words like "calm"/ quiet/Nun, the simile used not only reiterates, but emphasises the peaceful atmosphere through repetition of related words.
Other language features like adjectives and adverbs can also be used for emphasis.
e.g. He is very charming. (adverb)
The very thought of what she did is disgusting. (adjective)
As mentioned here, reiteration leads to emphasis. The peaceful atmosphere is emphasized through the repetition of related words.
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4. Reiteration and Emphasis
Throughout the octave of “It is a beateous Evening” this peaceful environment prevails through reiteration that is created by words like "tranquility"/"gentleness"
Through the reiteration of the idea of peace, the same words quoted above emphasize this peaceful atmosphere.
In "My Mistress' Eyes Are Nothing Like The Sun" Shakespeare also reiterates the idea of a plain woman by comparing her to a number of things that are more flattering than her, thus emphasizing her unattractiveness.
You should be on the lookout for diction or poetic devices that are used throughout a source that carry the thread of a certain concept. In the first example it is tranquility. In the second example it is unattractiveness. When discussing these two effects, together or separately, you should quote the words/device that you are discussing. If it is a device you need to label it, e.g. simile/irony. Then you must expand on what the connection between these words/devices is (the common thread) as you discuss their effect. Simply saying “personification reiterates/emphasizes”, will not get you marks.
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5. Create an atmosphere
In the poem Remember, Christina Rosetti uses diction to create a melancholic atmosphere by using words like "gone”/ “away"/"far away"/"silent land"/"no more"
"Gone away" is immediately linked to a sense of loss thus brings sadness that intensifies as the other quoted words/phrases are used, leading to a melancholic atmosphere especially after the allusion to death in the words "silent land", later reiterated in "no more"
Diction is usually used to create a certain atmosphere/mood, however other devices can also be used to enhance the created atmosphere. In this example the connection between the quoted words/phrases creates a sense of loss, which depresses and eventually leads to a melancholic atmosphere. Note how tropes (allusion/metaphor in this case) are used to enhance the atmosphere created.
You must always specify which atmosphere is created.
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6. Evoke emotions
“Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay” (Remember: line 4)
This paradox gives an image of someone reluctant to leave. If you have read the preceding lines and noted the melancholic atmosphere created by words like “gone”/ “away”/ “silent land”/ “no more”, you will already be feeling sympathy for the speaker. Reading the quoted line may intensify that sympathy as you realise the speaker’s reluctance to leave her loved ones.
Language that creates a certain atmosphere will invariably evoke emotions. Note how diction used in the previous example to create a melancholic atmosphere also evokes sympathy in the reader. Through reiteration of this concept of melancholy in the paradox, the emotion evoked is intensified.
Persuasive texts tend to use language that is intended to evoke emotions. Find a speech and identify language that has been used to evoke your emotions as the reader. This can be a game like in the previous slides, meaning that you will have to state clearly what emotion is evoked, by which words/literary devices and explain what it is in those words/devices lead to that emotion.
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7. Give an idea All language features give an idea.
This idea can be related to the message of the text, the setting, the atmosphere created or the emotions evoked.
Images created by language can also give you a certain idea.
e.g. “remember me when no more day by day/ you tell me of our future that you planned” (Remember: lines 5 & 6)
- The pronouns “you” and “our” give an idea that the speaker’s partner controls the relationship since their future is planned by him and he tells her instead of them discussing.
- “no more day by day” gives an idea (implies) that they will no longer be together daily. This supports the earlier allusion to death when the phrase “silent land” was used. Connecting the two ideas leads to the conclusion that one of the partners is about to die and asks to be remembered.
I have placed this effect at the end because it is connected to most of the effects discussed before. This effect is closely related to implicature. You need to specify what idea you get from the text, as in the discussion of the given example. Note how the pronouns used give an idea that is linked to the patriarchal setting of the poem.
Any text you analyse will have many ideas that will crop up, it is up to you to make the necessary connections and draw conclusions that you can justify in your discussion.

8. This completes the entire presentation
This completes the entire presentation. I hope by the time you get to this part, you will have had loads of fun with your families, while gaining relevant analytical skills. Good luck with your studies. Thank you.