Textual Analysis
C2 Lesson 14: Deconstructing Influence
C2 Objective:
Analyze how masters of prose utilize rhetorical mechanics to shape perception, evoke emotion, and bury subtext within complex narratives.
1. The Anatomy of a Text
To analyze at the C2 level, you must peel back the layers of a text like an onion.
01
Diction
The specific vocabulary used. Is it clinical, archaic, or inflammatory?
02
Rhetoric
Strategies like Ethos (credibility), Pathos (emotion), or Logos (logic).
03
Tone
The author's attitude. Are they condescending, reverent, or cynical?
04
Subtext
The "Shadow" meaning. What is the author implying without saying it directly?
2. High-Level Rhetorical Devices
Anaphora
Repeating words at the start of phrases to build momentum.
Juxtaposition
Placing two contrasting ideas side-by-side to highlight differences.
Euphemism
Using a mild word to mask a harsh reality.
Allegory
A narrative where characters represent abstract moral principles.
3. Case Study: The Corporate Manifesto
Analyze the tone and subtext of this corporate speech excerpt.
“
"In our pursuit of synergistic excellence, we must embrace the inevitable evolution of our workforce. While the streamlining of our operations may present temporary discomfort, it is the essential catalyst for our future stability."
Analytical Insight: The author uses euphemisms ("streamlining" instead of "firing people") and determinism ("inevitable evolution") to make harsh actions seem natural and necessary.
4. Analytical Mastery
1. In the Case Study above, what is the primary rhetorical goal of the phrase "inevitable evolution"?
2. Which device is used when an author says "He is a regular guest of the state" instead of "He is in prison"?
3. What does "Subtext" specifically refer to in textual analysis?