Grammar & Style: Advanced Analysis
C1 Capstone: Analyzing Authentic Texts
Model Text: Analyzing an Argument ✍️
Read the following short paragraph about the challenges of tourism in Siem Reap. The text uses several advanced structures to create a formal and persuasive tone.
Heritage at a Crossroads
(A) It is often argued that the massive influx of tourism is the lifeblood of modern Siem Reap. (B) Nevertheless, a more critical examination is required. (C) Having seen the crowds at Angkor Wat firsthand, one must ask a difficult question: how can this irreplaceable heritage be protected? (D) Not only is there physical pressure on the ancient stone, but there is also an erosion of the site's serene atmosphere. (E) Under no circumstances should we prioritize short-term profit over long-term preservation.
Breaking Down the Devices
Let's analyze the purpose and effect of each highlighted section from the model text.
(A) "It is often argued that..."
Device: Impersonal Passive Voice.
Effect: It introduces a common viewpoint in an objective, academic way. It sets up a point that the author intends to challenge.
(B) "Nevertheless,"
Device: Advanced Cohesive Device (Linking Word).
Effect: To signal a strong contrast with the previous statement. It tells the reader that a counter-argument is coming.
(C) "Having seen..."
Device: Perfect Participle Clause.
Effect: It concisely connects a past action (seeing the crowds) to the present thought (asking the question), showing the reason for the question.
(D) "Not only is there... but there is also..."
Device: Stylistic Inversion.
Effect: It adds strong emphasis and a formal, balanced structure to present two related problems, suggesting they are of equal importance.
(E) "Under no circumstances should we..."
Device: Stylistic Inversion.
Effect: This creates a very strong, formal prohibition. It is much more powerful and emphatic than saying "We should not..."
Your Capstone Mission ⭐
Your Own Analysis
Your task is to demonstrate your own analytical skills. Find a short paragraph (3-5 sentences) in English from a quality news source (e.g., The New York Times, BBC News, The Guardian) or an academic journal.
In your notebook, copy the paragraph and then, like our main task, identify and explain 2-3 advanced grammatical or stylistic choices the author made and what effect they had.
Key Vocabulary
- Discourse Analysis The study of how language is used in real-life texts to create meaning and tone.
- Authentic Text A text written by native speakers for a real-world purpose, not for language learners.
- Irreplaceable Too special or valuable to be replaced by anything else.
- Stylistic Device A technique used by a writer to create a particular effect in their writing.