LANGUAGE ANALYSIS HELP!

[kirstymfealy]

Hi fellow vce english buddies,

i am in need if help, from a fellow buddy. I am in yr 12 and i have my language analysis sac in a week or so, and i would love for someone to check my language analysis practice essay (below). thank you in anticipation! x


Language Analysis – Parole Board.
Disturbing revelations continue to plunge the Adult Parole Board into crises’ and comes despite extensive reforms in recent years to improve Victoria’s flawed justice system. The following three articles were all published in the Herald Sun on the 22nd August 2010. “Look to members” is an emotional, yet aggressive letter to the editor, by Tom O’Brien from Benalla. Elizabeth Marsh’s letter to the editor titled ‘Guilt does matter’ has a similar tone of emotional yet aggressive. ‘Lock the door’, D. Fry’s letter to the editor has a shifting tone from an attacking tone to neutral back to an attacking tone. Each of these articles calls on individuals of influence and those working within the justice system to take a stand against the failure of the Australian justice system.
 
Tom O’Brien’s emotional yet heartfelt letter to the editor, which appeared in the Herald Sun on the 22nd of August 2010, brings forward the point that all members of the Victorian Parole System should be looked to and blamed for the innocent deaths of Victorian’s. This persuasive piece is targeted towards the general public, and specifically, the victims of the lax parole system. The title of the letter, ‘Look to Members’, is an accusation and attack in itself, forcing readers to look to and blame the parole board members before even reading the letter.  Although the letter is brief, O’Brien has inserted many persuasive techniques to get his point across. The letter begins in a very sympathetic tone which appeals to readers’ family values. “I can’t imagine how the family and friends of victims must feel”. This phrase makes readers feel as though he is on their side, as no family member should have to deal with something so tragic. The letter then escalates to a far more aggressive tone when the writer begins to appeal to reader’s fear and sense of justice. O’Brien uses powerful imagery when he refers to the criminals on parole as ‘monsters’. The word ‘monster’ creates an image in the reader’s mind of a frightening creature hunting innocent victims in the night, thus increasing their sense of fear. O’Brien appeals to a sense of justice when he states that ‘justice won’t be done until each board member responsible is held accountable’. This statement positions the readers into believing that the board members are indeed the people to blame.

Elizabeth Marsh’s poignant and confronting letter to the editor, appearing in the Herald Sun on the 22nd August 2010, installs the opinion that the community’s safety is not considered by the parole board and as a result they are failing the Australian justice system. This persuasive piece is targeted towards the general public and specifically members of the Adult Parole Board. The title of the letter, ‘Guilt does matter’, is an accusation and attack in itself towards the Adult Parole Board influencing the readers to believe that the parole board has no consideration for the communities’ safety. Although the letter is concise, Marsh has included many persuasive techniques to get her point across. This letter begins in a distressing tone which appeals to the readers’ emotions. “I really can’t tell you how appalled I am by the many failings of our justice system.” This phrase makes the readers feel sympathetic towards the author and influences the readers’ to have a negative attitude towards the parole board. It also allows the readers’ to feel as though the justice system is failing the people of Australia. The letter then shifts into a more attacking tone when the writer begins to appeal to fear and community values. Marsh uses humour, specifically sarcasm when she states “I was under the impression fairly intelligent people were running this show.” This statement influencing the reader to dismiss the opposing views, by providing a more engaging and friendly tone, and sway an audience by having them enter into the joke.

D. Fry’s criticising and constructive letter to the editor addresses how the Adult Parole Board is in need of a review as a result of the rise in repeat offenders from parolees, appears in the Herald Sun on the 22 August 2010. This persuasive piece targets specifically members of the Adult Parole Board, but also the general public. The title of the letter, ‘Lock the door’, is an analogy that includes figurative language. Fry coherently suggests that the public should lock their doors as a result of prisoners being let out because of the high rate in repeat offenders amongst parolees, influencing the reader to feel a sense of fear and danger within their own community. Granting the letter is short, Fry has comprised numerous persuasive techniques to entice the readers. The letter begins with an attack on the parole board which appeals again to reader’s sense of fear when he states that “A review of the Adult Parole Board is overdue.” The adjective “overdue” in this sentence adds emphasis on Fry’s contention. Throughout the letter it has an attacking tone towards the Adult Parole Board. Fry uses forceful language when he states that “We must stop prisons being a revolving door.” The word ‘must’ is used to convey to the readers, that they must do something to help. Along with forceful language it appeals to the readers need to protect their family which can influence them into taking action to make change, which is what Fry is intending.

Elizabeth Marsh along with D. Fry’s letter to the editor appearing in the Herald Sun on the 22 August 2010, brings forward a very similar argument to Tom O’Brien’s letter to the editor. Marsh and Fry’s letters have a very condescending tone and targets toward the general public, as does O’Brien’s letter. However, Marsh and Fry also target the member of the Adult Parole Board, whereas O’Brien also targets those who have been affected by parole. Each of the letter to the editor’s appeals to a sense of fear, specifically to the general public. The appeal to a sense of fear from each letter, allows the authors to emphasise the weakness in the parole system and convince readers to agree with their arguments. Each of the letters have the same point of view that there needs to be a change in the Adult Parole System. However, the three letters approach the view point in different ways.
All three of the letter to the editors proved many techniques to assist in persuading the audience to agree with their contentions. The letter to the editor’s utilises emotive language, attacking and appeal to a sense of fear to appeal to a wide range of people, including the general public and the Adult Parole Board. This use of techniques provokes a shift in opinion, to agree with the author’s perspective. The audience is likely to feel justified and informed through the devices and evidence displayed in the letters, which enables the reader to shift their perspective to be in agreeance with the authors of the three letters to the editors.