Exercise 17, p. 51. Ms Claire Stanton
Key Idea: Ms Stanton opposes beauty competitions targeted at models as young as 13 years of age
Argument-basis: On the basis of her own principled decision, as a former editor, she seeks to dissuade/discourage editors from running such competitions
- Adopting the high moral ground (to enhance her credibility/appealing to the wellbeing needs of the all young models), she states it was a “poor commercial decision”: seeks to win the respect and admiration of her public (through her integrity/credibility. (she prioritise the girls’ wellbeing over financial decisions); she encourages all those stakeholders in the industry to prioritise the well-being needs of the girls
- She criticises /discredits/condemns/shames/seeks to marginalise an industry that is “all about rejection and criticism”; encourages the audience to recognise that the young girls are too vulnerable and must be treated with sensitivity
- “three legged bird into the wild” metaphor: compares the girls with an incapacitated bird; highlights the consequences; this emphases their vulnerability and the likelihood of emotional / physical scarring.
Set up the comparison: (Author 2 and Author 1)
Similarities in viewpoints: Both authors criticise various fashion industry stakeholders for failing to protect the young models. Both draw upon a vulnerable image of young models to encourage all stakeholders to recognise the degree of emotional pain that can occur if they are not adequately protected.
Differences. Whilst Ms Reston refers to her own parental experience, Ms Stanton draws upon her professional experience as an editor to dissuade magazine editors from running beauty competitions that are targeted at models as young as 13 years of age.
Specifically, Ms Stanton, adopts the high moral ground which not only enhances her credibility but also shames those editors who fail to foreground the wellbeing needs of the girls. That fact that she made “poor commercial decision” reminds all stakeholders that morals and principles must come above profit.
Like Ms Reston, who gives a disturbing image of her daughter Anna, Ms Stanton also seeks to shames an industry that preys upon young models and that focuses on “rejection and criticism”. As a result she encourages the audience to recognise that the young girls are too vulnerable and must be treated with sensitivity. This image is reinforced by the “three legged bird into the wild” metaphor. The image of the incapacitated bird highlights the extreme consequences and the potential for girls becoming emotionally or physically scarred for life.
Comparative paragraph (with a focus on Text 2):
Both Ms Stanton and Ms Reston criticise various fashion industry stakeholders for failing to ensure adequate protection for young models on the “cusp of adulthood”. At the basis of their criticism, both draw upon a vulnerable image of young models to encourage all stakeholders to recognise the emotional harm that can occur from poor industry standards. Whilst Ms Reston refers to her own parental experience and her daughter’s death, Ms Stanton draws upon her professional experience as the “former editor” of Pinkey magazine, to dissuade magazine editors from running beauty competitions that are targeted at models as young as 13 years of age. Specifically, Ms Stanton, adopts the high moral ground which not only enhances her credibility but also shames those editors who fail to foreground the wellbeing needs of the girls. That fact that she made “poor commercial decision” that “cost our magazine dearly” reminds all stakeholders that morals and principles must come before profit otherwise it is to “betray” the “keen readers”. Like Ms Reston, who gives a disturbing image of her daughter Anna, Ms Stanton also seeks to shame an industry that preys upon young models and that is mercilessly “all about rejection and criticism”. As a result she encourages fashion leaders and parents to recognise that the young girls must be treated with greater sensitivity. This plea is metaphorically reinforced by the “three legged bird into the wild” image. The image of the incapacitated bird highlights the extreme consequences and the potential for girls becoming emotionally or physically scarred for life. Accordingly, both authors implore all key stakeholders, especially industry fashion leaders and role models to ensure that the girls are adequately protected.
Return to Exercise 17, p. 51