GCSE English Language Features in John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’

Look for these language features:

these ones. answers. Imperatives

Repetition

Direct address

Inclusive language

First-person plural

Simple sentence structures

Modal verbs

Abstract nouns

Persuasive language

Contractions

Present tense

Lyrics:

Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky

Imagine all the people
Livin' for today
Ah

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too

Imagine all the people
Livin' life in peace
You

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You

You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

Imperatives – commands or instructions (“Imagine”)

Repetition – words or phrases repeated for emphasis (the repeated use of “imagine”)

Direct address – speaking directly to the reader/listener (“you”)

Inclusive language – language that creates a sense of unity (“us”)

First-person plural – using we, us, our (“we”, “us”)

Simple sentence structures – short, straightforward sentences (“It isn’t hard to do”)

Modal verbs – verbs that suggest possibility or certainty (“may”)

Abstract nouns – ideas or concepts rather than physical things (“peace”, “heaven”, “brotherhood”)

Persuasive language – language used to influence the reader (encouraging the listener to accept Lennon’s ideas)

Contractions – shortened forms of words (“isn’t”, “there’s”)

Present tense – events described as happening now (“I’m”, “is”)

Question

How does John Lennon use language to persuade the listener in “Imagine”?

Model Answer

John Lennon uses imperative language to persuade the listener to consider his ideas. The repeated command “Imagine” instructs the listener to actively picture a different world. This suggests Lennon wants the listener to engage personally with his vision rather than passively hear it. The effect on the listener is that they feel directly involved and encouraged to think differently.

Lennon also uses inclusive language to create a sense of unity. The phrase “living life in peace” and the pronoun “us” suggest that everyone is part of the same community. This implies that Lennon believes peace can only be achieved collectively. The effect on the listener is that they feel included and more likely to agree with his message.

Additionally, Lennon uses simple sentence structures such as “It isn’t hard to do” to make his ideas seem achievable. This suggests he wants to remove fear or doubt about change. The effect on the listener is reassurance, making the message feel realistic rather than extreme.

Overall, Lennon’s use of clear, inclusive, and direct language makes his message persuasive by encouraging the listener to imagine change as possible and shared by all.