Language Analysis Practice Task 5 -
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/editorials/killers-the-winner-after-doing-time/story-e6frfhqo-1226064801502The recent revelations that murderer, James Ravage would be released from jail in a few weeks has sparked much debate as to the severity of the punishment that has been dealt. In response to the growing complaints of injustice, the Herald Sun has written an editorial which contends with a scathing, but reasonable tone that those who intentionally murder another person like James Ravage should face much harsher penalties and should not be able to simply resume their lives after serving such a meagre time in prison.
The title of the Herald Sun’s piece catches the attention of the reader almost immediately, clearly apparent in a large text at the forefront of the article. The bluntness of the term “killer’s the winner” used to describe the situation opens the reader to much distress and concern. It is effective in inducing feelings of fear, thus compelling the reader to take the issue and the article in much more serious consideration. The term further alludes the reader to the notion that criminals are not being punished nearly enough and are coming out as the “winners”. The Herald Sun reinforces this idea in the bold sub text of the article through the word “injustice”. Employing such a term with a strong negative connotation invites the reader to the perception that they are being unfairly and thus instigates feelings of outrage towards the law system. In doing so, the Herald Sun is effectively positioning the reader to feel as though there is a clear contrast between the two sides of the argument, and that theirs is the more reasonable. Furthermore using such definitive language asks the reader to question why the situation has even arisen, given how blatantly one sided that it has been made out to be. Hence the Herald Sun positions the reader to see the opposition as lacking depth of knowledge and sensibility in the fact that that are favour of this “killer”.
To reinforce this idea of the one-sided nature of the issue, the Herald Sun then goes to reference that “Julie's family lost a bright, loving woman”. The use of this personal anecdote personalizes the issue in the eyes of the reader. As it is usually the older, family orientated people who make up the demographics of newspapers, it allows the reader to better empathise with the situation and thus gives them a better idea of the seriousness of the situation. By following this up with a reminder that Ramage would be “able to rebuild his life in only a few weeks when he is released, the Herald Sun is cogent in instilling a sense of fear in the minds of the reader for their safety and that of their family, particularly with the reference “considerable resources in the bank”. There is hint at a tonal shift towards the middle of the article as the Herald Sun takes on a more ominous feel. In doing so, the newspaper play to the emotions of the reader as it is more than likely that would take more note of the article now that they have the idea that it will affect them.
Building from this sense of fear, the Herald Sun continues to allude to the notion that there are no certainties in this issue. To say that “he can go back to what he's good at - making money” compounds the idea that allowing James Ravage free could cause the reader and society much more grief. It is evident that the hyphenated part at the end of that statement could easily be replaced with something much worse and the Herald Sun purposely uses to create all sorts of worries in the minds of the readers. The cumulative impact is that it positions the reader to side with the newspaper as they identify it as they only entity to be honest with them and that has their best interests at heart. Thus the newspaper is able to enhance its own credibility, while at the same time undermine that of their oppositions. It is only natural that the emphasis of the all the implied negative outcomes that might arise when this man is released will position the reader to side with the Herald Sun, as it is human nature to side with stands to benefit us the most.
The Herald Sun uses a very attacking tone to persuade the reader to believe that the release of James Ravage will do no good for them or their society. Furthermore, the article makes it abundantly clear that this man neither deserves the money nor the time that has gone into organising this release. As criminals like Mr Ravage continue to be dealt meagre punishments and stand as a threat to our very wellbeing, there is no doubt that this issue will continue to be the subject of much discussion.
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