Hey Guys,
Wrote out the language analysis, that was in Exam 1. I was hoping I could get some feedback in regards to areas I went wrong. Thanks in advance.
Section C Language Analysis
The contentious issue of how real is reality television has been raised often in recent times following the vast catalogue of shows that are being produced. In response to this Mike Thirwell, writer of the blog post “ Pushing Buttons”, feels enthused to let readers know , especially those who watch such programs that there is far greater manipulation and deception that occurs where the viewers cannot see. Thirwell adopts a concerned tone in regards to the viewers, claiming that they have “fall[en] victim” to the attack on their innocence by TV production companies. In addition to this, Thirwell insightfully remarks in a remorseful tone that it wasn’t his intention to make a fool out of the viewers of reality television. In direct response, though in stark contrast, is Mary Burkes comment on the blog post, where she contends that Thirwell’s descriptions of the world of reality television are misled and strictly bias.
Thirwell intends to alert readers to reconsider their predisposition to approach reality television in a one dimensional manner and form what they think are original “theories”. The title of the blog post “Button Pushing” not only indicates how we can simply push a button to change our reality yet further alludes reader to consider how reality ‘TV’ is manipulating our emotional response. Thirwell begins by recounting his experience on a bus, attacking the readers by heralding their conversations as “brainless”. Through the public location of a bus, Thirwell is potentially attempting to indicate that this mass deception is occurring all-around of us and cannot simply be confined to the “bus”. Following on, by describing his material for a story line as “palatable” it connotes such stories to be desired, questioning the moral integrity of readers and why they only want “goodies and baddies”. This in turn raises the notion that we humans are too weak to accept our own reality, hence we need a fake, twisted reality to distract ourselves from the real world.
Thirwell adopts a hostile attitude towards the creators of such reality television, by describing his past office as “dingy” “cubicle” where he used “cheap editing software” to persuade the masses to believe his fictitious world. This leads readers to potentially forgive Thirwell for his past actions as he feels “ashamed” yet draws a negative and critical light on production companies, attempting to fathom hate and repudiation towards them. These emotions are carried forward by the use of language such as “technique”, “bait” and “stock filler”. Such language is seemingly aimed at readers to view such creators of reality television as tacticians, leaving readers to contemplate an idea; that when we play a “TV” show, are we playing it, or is it playing us, juxtaposing the idea of tactics to a game, where the game is to win “this weeks ratings”. This concept of being played is further supported through Thirwell’s placement of the cartoon. Through the image, Thirwell emancipates the idea that we are “unplugged” from reality, drawn in by the constructs the television presents. By depicting the men with their heads stick in the ‘TV’, it indicates that we are no longer in control of our emotions and what we perceive. Taking a step back, the ‘TV’ and on a larger scale the media in general dictate our emotions by altering our perception of reality. Lastly the man on the left can be seen epitomised as the creators of reality television, who can be seen laughing at viewers, as their emotional response may seem to them as natural, yet was preconceived and planned.
Mary Burke directly reproaches the statements made by Thirwell, by bitterly attacking what Burkes describes as Thirwell’s “God Complex”. Through announcing herself as a “connoisseur of evening television”, it instils to readers that she deeply understand the conception of such television. The use of words such as “glossy artifice” and “cheap” pertain to readers that not all viewers of such television are ignorant and understand that it is “just a bit of fun”. In addition to this she directly attacks Thirwell’s claims of the “soul crushing world” that is reality television, by using the views of her friends as support. This denigrates Thirwell’s authorial position and urges readers to take Thirwell’s opinions with a grain of salt.
Mike Thirwell’s quite personal and intimate blog post shares with his audience that the world of television and the creation of reality shows is one that is heavily manipulated as he himself played a part in it. With the support of his condescending cartoon his insight into reality shows is further pushed to be accepted by readers. Contrarily, Mark Burke dismisses Thirwell’s views by drawing attention to the idea that viewers are not “brain-washed”, leaving readers to consider Thirwell’s opinions in a more critical manner.
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