Shine Editorial Team: One Punch too many, Exercise 27, p. 41
Analysing the editor’s evidence and its purpose
The editor refers to the real-life example of Thomas Kelly to highlight the tragic consequences of an unexpected and violent death. (This example evokes empathy for the plight of the family and the victim.)
Facts: The editor refers to the NSW decision to change the law. The judges must hand down a 20 year sentence rather than a 4 year sentence, as in Loveridge’s case, where death has occurred. Parents would no doubt be relieved at the increased sentence because a four-year sentence condones/overlooks the severity of the crime.
Statistics reveal that there have been 90 deaths since 2000 involving alcohol-fuelled punches. This number does not take into account the people who suffer from life-debilitating injuries. The editor arouses fear by drawing attention to “every parent’s walking nightmare”.
Study: The study identifies alcohol as a cause of the violence that leads to death. The study also identifies a correlation between access to and consumption of alcohol and violent assaults.
The study quotes an expert. Professor George Stanton draws attention to the scourge of alcohol and the terrible consequences of alcohol-fuelled violence which leads to escalating/soaring health-care costs. This arouses our indignation/anger at the fact that money is being wasted because of gratuitous violence.
Solution: The editor suggests that curbing access to alcohol is just as important as increasing penalties.
Tone
- Forget the “king-hit’ bit: this is a censorious tone.
- “every parent’s walking nightmare” ; this is a solicitous tone as the editor seeks to understand the parent’s pain
- “timebomb waiting to explode”; the author’s indignant/infuriating tone draws attention to the lack of fairness.
- “we also must spend more money..”: inclusive, understanding, frank tone
- “Must act with lightning speed”: an urgent tone to remind the government about the need to act swiftly and show leadership; appeals to health and safety.
- Too many lives are being cut short; this reflects a high-minded and upstanding tone where by the editor reminds the government of its moral obligations
Return to the Green Workbook Online Study Program