Graphology Framework

Graphology Graphology FrameworkFramework

AS Level English LanguageAS Level English Language

What is graphology?What is graphology?Originally, graphology applied only to the Originally, graphology applied only to the

appearance of a person's handwritingappearance of a person's handwritingFor the purposes of your course, however, For the purposes of your course, however,

it applies to it applies to any aspect of the form and any aspect of the form and appearance of a text that modifies appearance of a text that modifies meaning in any waymeaning in any way..

Importantly, Importantly, it is the it is the graphological graphological qualities of any qualities of any written or printed written or printed text that we first text that we first noticenotice..

For example, on the For example, on the text on the right we text on the right we can see from the can see from the graphological graphological qualities that this qualities that this text is a newspaper.text is a newspaper.

Because these features are what you first Because these features are what you first notice you would do well notice you would do well to apply the to apply the graphology framework first in your graphology framework first in your stylistic analysesstylistic analyses

Although the graphological framework is Although the graphological framework is not considered not considered asas important as others it is important as others it is often overlooked.often overlooked.

You should You should notnot focus too much on this focus too much on this framework, but properly applied framework, but properly applied graphological analysis can be very useful graphological analysis can be very useful and subtle and add marks to your analysis.and subtle and add marks to your analysis.

When you are analysing a text using the graphological When you are analysing a text using the graphological framework, you will need to consider the following points:framework, you will need to consider the following points:

The nature of the characters – are they The nature of the characters – are they handwrittenhandwritten or or printedprinted, , upper caseupper case or or lower caselower case??

For example:For example:

Uppercase text

Lowercase text

Uppercase text

Of course, it is not acceptable merely to Of course, it is not acceptable merely to comment that the letters on this text are a comment that the letters on this text are a mixture of upper and lower case words.mixture of upper and lower case words.

You will have to say what You will have to say what effecteffect these these features have.features have.

For example:For example: ““The main focus of the text is the initial The main focus of the text is the initial

headline – “BUSH KNEW”, the use of headline – “BUSH KNEW”, the use of upper case letters adds emphasis to the upper case letters adds emphasis to the statement and lets the reader know what statement and lets the reader know what the article is about.”the article is about.”

What could you say about the other What could you say about the other examples pointed out?examples pointed out?

Mentioning what font the text is presented Mentioning what font the text is presented in is also useful, although you are not in is also useful, although you are not required to know various different font required to know various different font types e.g. types e.g. Tahoma, Palatino Linotype, Times New Roman

Also mention the font sizeAnd also the font style, is it in bold,

underlined or in italics

You will also need to mention You will also need to mention graphemesgraphemes Graphemes are the letter or letter combination Graphemes are the letter or letter combination

that make up a sound (that make up a sound (phonemephoneme)) So for example:So for example:

Grapheme Grapheme

From the example given, From the example given, you can see that ‘AR’ are you can see that ‘AR’ are both graphemes, BUT, they both graphemes, BUT, they represent two different represent two different phonemesphonemes

The AR in HARLEY is a The AR in HARLEY is a different sound to the AR in different sound to the AR in EARLEARL

There is much to say about There is much to say about graphemes as the entire graphemes as the entire text is made up of them!text is made up of them!

However in the exam it is However in the exam it is better to comment on a few better to comment on a few related examples or related examples or graphemes that are unusualgraphemes that are unusual

For example:For example:Grapheme of EZ used instead of ES – can tie this in with lexis

Punctuation is a key feature of any written text Punctuation is a key feature of any written text and it is important to mention this within the and it is important to mention this within the graphology frameworkgraphology framework

For example:For example:

The use of full stops here in between the words ‘TOMMY GUN’ replicates the sound and action of a machine gun.

Another key feature of graphology is the Another key feature of graphology is the organisation of the textorganisation of the text

This basically means how it is laid out on This basically means how it is laid out on the pagethe page

Therefore you need to mention such Therefore you need to mention such things as:things as:

Headings, columns, bullet points, Headings, columns, bullet points, numeration, borders, boxes, paragraph numeration, borders, boxes, paragraph size, line spacing and use of white spacesize, line spacing and use of white space

Again, it is important to mention the effect these have on the text rather than just saying “there is a lot of white space in this text”!

Headings – shows clear definition Bullet points – showing organisation

Columns – showing clearly ordered text

Short, concise paragraphs

White space making the advert look uncluttered

Finally the last things you need to mention Finally the last things you need to mention regarding the graphology framework are:regarding the graphology framework are:

Use of colourUse of colour LogosLogos DrawingsDrawings PhotographsPhotographs CaptionsCaptions DiagramsDiagrams ChartsCharts

As stated before, you need to state what effect these features have on the text as a whole and if they are effective in achieving their aims.

Logo – tells you instinctively what the text is

Pink – the colour of love (softness) Drawing of a

heart

Mocked up photograph

Caption

Now you have the tools to analyse a text using the graphology framework!

The End!