Reading a Text/Textual Analysis

Analysing

Break down in order to bring out: the essential elements

Consider in detail

Break down into components

Consider, evaluate, examine in detail

Give an account that is detailed using the factors that are to be analysed. Support any findings with examples where possible.

Semiotics

Saussure (1954) developed the theory of semiotics as a way of reading/analysing a text

He and other theorist suggested an image could be broken down into 2 separate parts; this would ensure we could fully understand and be able to ‘read’ the text.

SIGNSIGNIFIER

DENOTATION

SIGNIFIED

CONNOTATION

What is actually therein the image or object.

What the signifier actually evokes/means in your mind. It is a mental concept.

What is actually here + the ideathat goes along

with it

The union of the

signifer and the

signified

A sign is a pattern of data which, when perceived,

brings to mind something other

than itself

LOVE

What does this mean to you?

A large Indian or African animal

Memories of a trip to the Zoo

A favourite film

Or something else…

The study of signs can help us to analyse the seemingly obvious meanings and interpretations.

Semiotics is all about developing your own thinking and the ‘polysemic’ meaning of texts

(multiple meanings)

Whatever the sign brings to mind is related to the reader’s past

experience and cultural understanding

Semiotics