This document analyzes the rhetorical techniques used in alternative music magazine articles. It discusses the use of imperative and interrogative sentences to intrigue readers. Informal language like slang, expletives, and humor create an casual tone typical of the genre. Hyperbolic language, quotes from articles, and references band insiders would understand are employed to grab attention and appeal to fans. The chattty, conversational style aims to engage readers in the music and topics discussed.

1. Language and the
alternative genre
Emily Kennedy

2. Imperatives such as
“Get a Life”
forcefully persuade
the audience to
read these articles
in order to find out
how to “get a life” or
“get funky” etc. Also
informal language.
Rhetorical question
intrigues reader to
read about to read into
the articles about the
bands’ whereabouts
(rhetorical as they are
still in the music
industry)
Exclamations used for
emphasis, making the
audience excited at
the prospect of even
more bands that they
may be interested in
reading about
Hyperbolic language
is used: “The people
vs Courtney” as it’s
not literally everyone
vs Courtney Love.
However, this
hyperbolic statement
creates intrigue as
the audience want to
find out what she’s
done to deserve
mass dislike.
Quotes from the featured
article interest the reader
as they summarise
important/ most
entertaining points of the
article. This would make
the readers want to read
further.
Hyperbolic words such as
“special” grab the readers
attention
Mode of address: direct address as the audience is
being told to “get a life” and rhetorical questions are
also asked.

3. Informal tone:
expletive
language and
humour.
Rhetorical
questions. Typical
of the alternative/
grunge genre.
Mode of
address: direct
as questions are
asked, creating
a sense of
conversation
between the
addressor and
addressee
Questions interest the reader
as they’d want to know
whether they’re answered in
the article.
Jargon is used as the audience
would be those who are
interested in music and
understand technical language
associated with music. This
would intrigue them as the
writing is of intelligent quality
and as a result not patronising.
Direct address with “live your dream”
persuades the audience to check out Spin’s
website.
Declarative sentences
convey a lot of
information to the reader
about the production of
the magazine. This is
useful for the reader to
discover other work
about the staff as well
as if thy aspire to work
in a creative area
(especially magazine
design etc)

4. Hyperbolic language piques the audiences interest as
they wonder about what predicament Courtney Love has
got herself in this time.
Complex sentences illustrate that the article is intellectual as well as
entertaining. This would appeal to an older target audience who are
interested in music.
Informal
chatty tone
demonstrated
by the use of
the brackets
“(of course)”
when talking
about the
controversial
new song.
A reference
integrated into the
introduction
wouldn't be missed
by Hole fans. Taken
from the song “Doll
Parts”, this again
adds to the
intellectual level of
the article as well as
giving something
Hole fans can smile
about.

5. Chatty informal tone, the writer
uses in the intro to entice the
audience into reading further.
Starting with a question persuades the
audience to read on to have the question
answered.
A reference/
simile that those
who enjoyed the
grunge era
would more likely
understand
(watching Brat
pack films when
they were
younger).
Therefore
addressing the
target audience.
Slang such as “meds” suggests to the
audience the tone of the article is informal
and chatty. It may also suggest that the
genre of music is also of the alternative
genre. (which is is as it’s grunge/riot grrrl)
Many uses of complex sentences
demonstrates that this article is
advanced and therefore is apt for a
target audience of young adults.