Please purchase Better Essays and Persuasive Techniques in order to access the Free Online Study Exercise Program: Buy Now: $24.95 (including postage).
Exercise 33: “Some Schools Fail the Test”, p. 79
1. What technique is evident in the headline? How does it reflect the message?
The editor uses a pun, “fail the test” to suggest that they are not doing enough to combat bullying in the schoolyard.
2. What is the “hook” and what is its purpose?
Anecdotal or real-life examples are used to draw attention to an escalation/increase in the incidents of bullying. The example focus on particularly gruesome and violent encounters.
3. As “community leaders”, what values does the editor promote/defend?
The editor promotes greater levels of security at school and urges schools to provide a protective and safe environment for students to learn, develop and grow without stress (individual freedoms and freedom from fear)
4. Is the editor fair/unbiased? Give reasons.
The editor appears to be fair because they mention that the victims and the bullies may have problems.
they appear to take a sensible and fair approach and refer to the school’s measures that have been adopted.
The editor takes a principled stance and defends the rights of the victims, and those who lack a voice in the school community.
5. Describe the editor’s style and tone and give examples.
The editor adopts a fair, measured and reasonable tone to urge schools to do more to protect the victims of bullying. The editor also appears earnest and sincere when they cover the consequences of bullying.
6. What words stand out and how do they support the editor’s message?
- “to reconstruct the eye socket”: use of emotive and dramatic language to emphasise the violent encounter
- “deadly mix of online forums” ; this description makes us feel unsafe and arouses fear (instils a sense of fear into members of the schoool community)
- “should alarm all responsible citizens”; emotive language; the editor emphasises the fearful nature of the rise in bullying incidents
- “bashings”; suggests that these encounters are violent and harmful;
- “bullies distance themselves from the pain”; analytical description of the bullies; emotive language; this criticises the bullies because of their insensitivty and an unnatural and uncaring response; such a a responses seeks to arouse our anger at the indifference of the bullies;
- “talking to a brick wall”; idiomatic expression or a cliche; this is of concern because many complaints are not taken seriously; (an indictment or criticism of school teachers/policies). The editor implies that victims will not complain or voice their concerns if no one is listening to them. This language also seeks to shame the teachers.
Continue your Better Essays Learning Journey
- Return to Chapter 4: Persuasive Text Types and Revision Exercises
- Return to the Better Essays Home Page