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EnglandEnglish LanguageQuick questions
Component 1: Language Concepts and Issues
Quick questions on Language and power: how power is enacted through language - Eduqas A-Level English Language
5short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is a model influential-power paragraph?Show answer
"The advertisement exercises influential power through synthetic personalisation: the direct address ('your perfect morning starts here') and inclusive, presupposing phrasing construct a personal relationship with an anonymous mass audience, making a commercial message feel like friendly advice. There is no command, yet the reader is positioned to accept the assumed shared value (that the product improves their day), so the power operates by building rapport and presupposition rather than by instruction." This names the concept and analyses the mechanism.
What is a model instrumental-power paragraph?Show answer
"In the institutional notice, instrumental power is enacted grammatically: the text is built from imperatives and modal obligation ('must', 'are required to'), and the formal, impersonal register and absence of any first-person voice leave no room for negotiation. The discourse offers the reader no turn and no choice, which enacts the authority of the institution directly rather than through persuasion." This argues from grammar to power.
What is q1?Show answer
What is the difference between instrumental and influential power? [2 marks]
What is q2?Show answer
What is synthetic personalisation? [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Discuss how those in positions of authority use language to exercise and maintain power. [18 marks]
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