HSC Japanese Extension key terms

The main point a speaker or writer is arguing for, stated directly rather than implied. In a monologue or essay you identify it to show you understand what the text is trying to persuade you of.

The specific issue or question a text addresses, narrower than the overall topic. Naming it precisely lets you organise a response around what is actually being debated rather than a vague theme.

The evidence, reasons or data a speaker gives to support a claim. When analysing a text, you quote or paraphrase the basis offered and judge whether it genuinely supports the assertion.

A concrete example used to illustrate or prove a general statement. Identifying examples helps you show how an argument moves from abstract claim to everyday illustration.

A general statement about how things usually are, often used as a starting point before the speaker narrows to a personal view. Distinguishing it from personal opinion sharpens your analysis.

A person's true feelings, as opposed to the socially appropriate position they present. In monologues, shifts into honne often mark the emotional core of the text.

The official or socially expected stance a person displays, which may differ from private feeling. Recognising it helps you explain tension or irony in a monologue.

The person speaking in a monologue or dialogue. Analysis should distinguish the speaker's attitudes from those of the author or of other characters mentioned.

The intended audience of a spoken text, whether present in the scene or implied. Considering who is addressed explains choices of politeness level and tone.

The narrating voice in a written text, which may or may not be the author. Separating narrator from author is essential when the narrator is limited or unreliable.

The perspective from which a text is told, such as first person, third person limited or omniscient. Changes in viewpoint signal shifts in attitude or emphasis.

The manner of narration, including sentence length, rhythm, direct quotation and use of description versus commentary. Style choices shape how the reader judges the speaker.

Figurative language such as simile or metaphor, used to convey feeling or evaluation indirectly. In analysis, explain what two things are compared and what attitude the comparison creates.

An object, place or action that stands for a larger idea or emotion in a text. Naming the symbolic function shows you can read beyond literal meaning.

Meaning conveyed indirectly rather than stated outright. Pointing out what is implied, and how, demonstrates close reading rather than summary.

The additional meaning a statement carries beyond its literal content, often through tone or context. Explaining implicature is a common requirement in text-analysis responses.

The Japanese honorific system of polite, respectful and humble forms. Shifts between levels in a monologue reveal relationships, distance or changes in the speaker's stance.

Polite language marked by forms such as です and ます. Its presence or absence in a monologue signals the formality of the setting and the speaker's relationship with the listener.

Spoken-style Japanese, with contractions, sentence-final particles and looser grammar. Recognising it helps you describe the informal, conversational texture of a monologue.

Written-style Japanese, typically more formal and compact, with structures less common in speech. Comparing it with spoken style supports comments on register and genre.

The overall style of a text, including register, sentence structure and diction. Describing it with specific features, not just labels, strengthens analysis of how meaning is made.

Conjunctions such as しかし, だから and つまり that link clauses and signal logical relations. They are reliable markers of contrast, cause and conclusion in a monologue.

A contrastive relation marked by words like しかし or のに, introducing something that conflicts with expectation. Spotting it helps you locate the turning point of an argument.

The way an argument develops from introduction through reasoning to conclusion. Mapping it lets you summarise structure accurately and evaluate whether the reasoning holds.

A condensed restatement of a text's main content in your own words. A good summary keeps the central claim and key support while discarding illustration and repetition.

A stated view or judgement about an issue. In extended responses you present your own opinion clearly and support it, rather than merely describing the topic.

Agreement with a proposal or position. Stating agreement is only a start; you must give reasons and address likely objections to score well.

Opposition to a proposal or position. A strong response states the objection, justifies it, and acknowledges the strongest point on the other side.

Conceding a valid point to the opposing side before restating your position. It makes an argument appear balanced and is valued in extended responses.

Restating your main position at the end of a response, often in stronger or more qualified terms. It gives the piece a clear conclusion rather than trailing off.

Opening a response by framing the issue and why it matters. A sharp problem statement sets up the direction of the argument and engages the reader immediately.

The quality of being specific, achieved through examples, numbers and named situations. Concrete detail distinguishes a developed argument from vague generalisation.

The state of including varied perspectives, backgrounds or approaches. It is a frequent theme in prescribed-issue discussions and useful vocabulary for framing nuance.

A person's or society's set of beliefs about what matters and what is right. Comparing value systems is a common way to analyse cultural conflict in prescribed texts.

The shared customs, language and assumptions of a group. In English responses, discuss it as a lived practice rather than a stereotype or a list of festivals.

A group defined by shared birth period and formative experiences. Generational difference is a frequent lens for explaining changing attitudes within families or communities.

Practices and beliefs passed down across generations. Discussion should consider both what tradition preserves and what it can exclude or pressure people to accept.

A person's sense of who they are, shaped by language, family, nationality and belonging. It is central to prescribed-issue essays about identity and cultural change.

The feeling of belonging to a group, place or community. Analysing how characters seek or lose it supports nuanced discussion of inclusion and exclusion.