IB English A Lang & Lit Topic Key Devices in Opinion Columns Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB English A Lang & Lit Topic Key Devices in Opinion Columns Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

Written by official IB examiners

The Rhetorical Toolkit of an Opinion Column

Definition

Opinion column

A text in which a named writer presents a personal argument on a current issue, using first person, rhetorical devices, and a distinctive voice to persuade or provoke the reader.

A personal anecdote is used to open or anchor the argument: it establishes the columnist's credentials, creates emotional connection, and frames the issue in human terms before the wider argument begins.
A rhetorical question does not invite a real answer: it implies its own answer and positions the reader to arrive at the columnist's conclusion feeling they reached it themselves.
Direct address ("you") and inclusive pronouns ("we", "us") place the reader inside the argument: "we" builds solidarity; "you" creates urgency or accountability.
Anaphora repeats a phrase at the start of successive sentences or paragraphs, building rhythmic and emotional momentum: each repetition accumulates weight, making the argument feel insistent and overwhelming rather than merely asserted.

Nice try, unfortunately this paywall isn't as easy to bypass as you think. Want to help devleop the site? Join the team at https://revisiondojo.com/join-us. exercitation voluptate cillum ullamco excepteur sint officia do tempor Lorem irure minim Lorem elit id voluptate reprehenderit voluptate laboris in nostrud qui non Lorem nostrud laborum culpa sit occaecat reprehenderit

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit.

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

The Rhetorical Toolkit of an Opinion Column

Definition

Opinion column

A text in which a named writer presents a personal argument on a current issue, using first person, rhetorical devices, and a distinctive voice to persuade or provoke the reader.

A personal anecdote is used to open or anchor the argument: it establishes the columnist's credentials, creates emotional connection, and frames the issue in human terms before the wider argument begins.
A rhetorical question does not invite a real answer: it implies its own answer and positions the reader to arrive at the columnist's conclusion feeling they reached it themselves.
Direct address ("you") and inclusive pronouns ("we", "us") place the reader inside the argument: "we" builds solidarity; "you" creates urgency or accountability.
Anaphora repeats a phrase at the start of successive sentences or paragraphs, building rhythmic and emotional momentum: each repetition accumulates weight, making the argument feel insistent and overwhelming rather than merely asserted.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

Everything You Need to Know About Analysis6 subtopics

Paper 1 Lang & Lit4 subtopics

Paper 2 Lang & Lit4 subtopics

Individual Oral (IO)4 subtopics

Higher Level Essay3 subtopics

Text Types13 subtopics

Literary Forms4 subtopics

IB English A Lang & Lit Key Devices in Opinion Columns Notes

Everything You Need to Know About Analysis6 subtopics

Paper 1 Lang & Lit4 subtopics

Paper 2 Lang & Lit4 subtopics

Individual Oral (IO)4 subtopics

Higher Level Essay3 subtopics

Text Types13 subtopics

Literary Forms4 subtopics

The Rhetorical Toolkit of an Opinion Column

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

The Rhetorical Toolkit of an Opinion Column

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account