[English] Language Analysis - The great bank home loan heist

[Stick]

This essay was completed in exam conditions in 55 minutes and contains 684 words.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/banks-home-loans-heist/story-e6frfhqo-1226268244617
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/gallery-e6frfhqf-1226260714692?page=16 (Note: In the SAC, the cartoon was in black and white)

The Herald Sun's editoral "The great bank home loan heist" and Mark Knight's cartoon equally demonstrate how the greed of Australia's four major banks will affect the entire community for the worst. Printed on the 14th February 2012, the critical cartoon shows readers that banks want to be glorified and are greedy at the same time, and that they are not willing to make any compromises. The editorial, published on the 1st February 2012, extends the message of the cartoon and contends Premier Ted Baillieu should engage in discussions with industry leaders, using a pleading tone to pitch its arguments to families and working citizens alike.

The article strongly argues the banks' decisions to raise interest rates, despite the Reserve Bank of Australia not raising theirs, will severely impact on employment numbers and affect families. The writer appeals to the reader's sense of justice when he writes "their action is at the expense of families trying to survive in a gathering economic downturn," and immediately creates a very strong connection to the audience by discussing events readers can relate to. This is emphasised when the writer states "The rate rises could not come at a worse time," depicting the dramatic implications the rate rises will have on mortgage holders. The editorial also aims to anger readers, by stating "[Banks] have slapped struggling families in the face," using imagery to further demonstrate the injustice families are suffering. By using inclusive language in "600 Victorian jobs will be lost," towards the end of the article, the editorial re-instates fear and vulnerability into the audience and aims for them to join The Herald Sun's push to have Premier Ted Baillieu hold discussions with industry executives.

Similarly, Mark Knight's cartoon also portrays the vulnerability of workers due to the banks' decision to increase interest rates. In his sketch, Knight depicts the Australian worker as a thin, petite woman, standing in the background of the cartoon. This, combined with the piece of paper stating "SACK" emphasises that banks do not care about the everyday Australian and that jobs will be lost. The signature Mark Knight cow appears in the cartoon stating "How cruel," further demonstrating to the viewer the insignificance of the average worker. However, he also strongly depicts the greed of the big four Australian banks.

The Herald Sun editorial frequently describes how the decisions of Australia's banks demonstrates their failure to relate to the rest of the community. By stating "what [the banks] regard as a wake up call on housing loans," the author forces the reader to suggest the banks are out of touch with the general public. The editorial is highly critical of banks, describing that their move to raise interest rates was merely "to protect their profits." The article consistently describes the negative behaviour of the banks and even assumes "The Commonwealth and the NAB are likely to follow suit," emphasising the lack of true thought towards the Australian society. The author also mentions the power banks have in our country by including the statements "muscling up" and "The Government cannot tell them what to do," metaphorically showing the banks to the the bullies of our community. The editorial aims to describe the the greed of the banks, angering the audience in the process.

Knight's cartoon depicts the greed of Australia's banks on a visual level. In the foreground of the article, a big fat cat with large hands says "What? Now Valentine's Day Card?!" emphasising banks want not just our money, but our approval as well. The cat's sad face and the vault in the background spilling with money shows that banks are still not content with having a very large portion of Australia's money. This is further demonstrated by the scattered envelopes on the desk, depicting the banks' desperation to get their hands on money. These aspects of the cartoon aim to frustrate readers in regards to the interest rate hikes the banks have implemented.

The editorial and the cartoon utilise differing approaches, but both successfully demonstrate to the reader that Australians are not being considered when the banks make their decisions.

Teacher comment: A very good analysis of both texts, Stephen. Your insights into the subtext of both texts is a pleasure to read.
Mark: 21/25 (84%)

[meganrobyn]

The short answer is that you're spending too much time describing what the article does, when you get your main marks for analysing the impact of what they're doing on the reader.

Yes, identify specific examples from the text that you think are using persuasive devices - and even identify which exact devices if you like - but then move straight into discussing how that device/example positions the reader, what feelings or reactions it elicits, and then analyse WHY and HOW the reader reacts that way.

Instead of thinking about the language analysis task as a 'text-focused' piece of writing, maybe think of it more as an 'audience-focused' one?

[Stick]

I've never noticed that before, but now it's so apparent... I guess that would also help me gain some length on my essays as well. Thanks, meganrobyn!

[meganrobyn]

My pleasure! Good luck