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[English] "Don’t blame me, blame Julia Gillard" language analysis

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azngirl456:
You're welcome :) your teacher is right, you need to analyze the visuals that accompany an article as well. Usually photos come with captions or in this case, it was a pull out quote. You can explain that the photo encapsulated the extend of whole tragic situation and has therefore left the reader feeling concerned and astonished. Then you can say that the reader is directed to the pull out quote or caption for answers and clarification. The pull out quote or caption usually provides a hint as to what the writer's contentioon is. That's the way i analyse photos but others just go into detail was the the emotions that a elicited by a visual.

The target audience can be people who are interested in the rights of refugees, refugee laws or politics revolving around faults of the Gillard government. Try to be as specific as you can.

azngirl456:
Oh, and another thing to add about target audience. There isn't really a right or wrong answer. Just as long as the audience you've mentioned  is plausible and reasonable. Like you would not say that the target audiences for bolt's article are just dairy milk farmers.

I also try to stay clear of just saying 'low income earners' or 'high school students'. It's better to be specific and say 'low income earners who are struggling to repay debt' or 'high school students who are concerned about their academic performance'. Sometimes it's just really tempting to assume the examiners know the type of stereotypes your talking about which is something you also shouldnt do.

ech_93:
Okay, thanks.
I will attempt to rewrite it. But, as you can see i kind of suck at english so it might not be much better.

It will be up soon.

ech_93:
Okay, I attempted to fix it. It still isn't in the 'target word limit', but it is at least 150 words longer.


Over the past few years more and more refugees who travel by boat, also known as ‘boat people’, have died in an attempt to flee to Christmas Island. After the recent accident where a boat crashed into cliffs and took many lives, Andrew Bolt wrote an opinion piece titled ‘Don’t blame me, blame Julia Gillard’.  In this piece, written on the 17th of December and found in the Herald Sun, Bolt contends that these tragic losses are a result of Gillard’s lenient laws. He writes to his intended audience of people who are interested in the rights of asylum seekers whilst maintaining an irritated tone throughout the article. The author claims that although people are resisting to accept it, Gillard’s laws are to blame for the deaths. A photograph, statistics and attacks are all used to position the reader to agree that the laws need to change.

The reader’s attention is firstly drawn to the article by its accompanying photograph. Waves crashing down around a small and poorly-built boat is what the colour photograph shows. This dramatic image causes the reader worry and curiosity as to what is in the article. The photograph summarizes the tragic situation before the reader has even begun the article.The reader’s attention is then moved to the large quote across the photograph. The quote emphasises Bolt’s contention; that “It’s never been the right time to point out the Government was encouraging boat people”. Bolt’s opinion piece is nicely complemented by the dramatic photograph and straight-forward quote. The real-life footage adds legitimacy to the issue that ‘boat people’ are in danger.

Throughout the article Bolt adds statistics as another form of evidence. He uses statistics to shock the reader and prove that Gillard is to blame for the deaths of the refugees. Bolt explains that after Gillard made law reforms the amount of boats have climbed “from three a year...to almost 200 this year alone.” This statistic alone is horrifying. He then adds that “the death toll since Labor's changes had reached 25.”  The reader is now influenced to accept Bolt’s contention as he leaves them feeling worried by the seriousness of Gillard weakening the ‘boat people’ laws.

Another persuasive technique used is attacks. These attacks are used to position the reader to agree with Bolt, and oppose Gillard’s opinions and thoughts. Bolt puts down her actions and overall discourages the reader to take her side. “They certainly weren't fleeing a war, as Gillard deceitfully implied,” Bolt uses this to make Gillard’s arguments less genuine. This strategy of attacks on Gillard leaves the reader questioning the validity of her side.

With a series of rhetorical questions, the author engages the reader and forces them to consider his proposition. The author wonders when Gillard will look at a change in the laws by asking “But why? And if not now, when? Before the next boat sinks, or after?”Bolt is not looking for an answer, but rather for the reader to consider when the laws should be changed. This highlights that it is not certain if and when Gillard will modify these immoral laws.

 Bolt couples an anecdote and emotive language to further persuade the reader. The anecdote of a refugee reads, “The (Australian) Government has changed now. It's good for refugees there.” This shows that even the refugees know that the laws are not as strict. By adding a sense of reality, Bolt is able to justify his contention. He then moves on to using emotive language when Bolt describes the people who “drown[ed] were lured to their deaths...by [the] government.” This language makes the situation more graphic. The combined effect of these techniques adds importance to the issue of weakening refugee laws.

By using a photograph, statistics and other persuasive tactics the author is able to persuade the audience to adopt his contention. By presenting this article in the ways described above Bolt successfully argues that Gillard’s weakened laws are doing more harm than good to the refugees.

Just a few comments on this would be great, pleaseeee!

tea.squaredd:
Just some small things as i skimmed your post:

Try find more sophisticated techniques and not use rhetorical questions. These are easy, anyone can get them, thus come exam time, the lower end of the state uses this technique a lot. You gotta stand out if you want a high score.

Also, include an analysis of the picture!

The more pro-er LA ive seen, dont actually label. By this i mean you dont say, 'Another persuasive technique used is.."
You just integrate it. Same for your quotes, dont say something then just slap on a quote on the end.

Hope this small piece of advice helps!

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