How do I analyse speech?

It is important to remember that, though you may have a written record or transcript, you must not approach it as a written text. If you are analysing spoken language it is crucial to show the examiner or marker that you are aware of this. Keep spoken language in mind throughout your analysis, plan and response, looking at spoken features such as turn-taking dialogue, monologue, dialect, phonology (alliteration, rhythm, rhyme, assonance, sibilance), false starts, elision, pauses, fillers, and, if possible, paralinguistic features (movement, hand gestures, body language) and prosodic features (intonation, volume). Spread these throughout any response to show the examiner or marker that you are familiar with features of spoken language. However, many techniques found in written language can also apply to spoken language (for example, informal/ formal, lexical choice, pragmatics, semantics etc.) and a similar process of thought can be used; what is the purpose? audience? genre? For example, if it’s a political speech, look for power roles, persuasive language and message as you would with any political language. Once you have analysed the text for these features, you can structure a response in your usual way, but being sure to continually refer to the fact that you are looking at spoken language. Remember that there is a speaker, an audience, a medium (is it live? is it on the television? Is it a recording? is it a conversation?) and you may want to conclude with how spoken features and the context and purpose of speech affect the audience and/or convey the message.