A mark for “analytical depth”
Tip: In the middle of your paragraph, you must zoom in on specific quotes, that reinforce each other. (This gives you a specific focus). When “digging” deeper, avoid generic comments. Be specific with regards to the emotional impact, the audience segments, and the positioning strategies
Narrow-specific focus: See Quotes: words with an analytical story: p. 38
A variety of examples
Emotive language: visual imagery; a narrative recount of the barbaric treatment. (She gives an image of animals at one meatworks that were “shackled and hoisted into the air”. This enables her readers to visuals the horrible treatment and she hopes that they will be suitably shocked.. revulsion.)
The visual image of the animals “being shackled” and “wallowing in their excrement” compels the audience to voice their outrage at the barbaric practices.
The author gives an image of animals that do survive, which are “thrown into the car boots and other modes of transport”.. .
This refers to the brutality of the animals that are shipped to countries with “no animal welfare laws”
Quote 1: The figurative reference to “skinning the cat” is designed to shock / alarm policy officials who are unaware of the fate of the animals.
Specifically, Ms Scott uses the figurative reference of the “skinned” cat to draw attention to a trade which is exploiting the animals for sheer profit. She thereby seeks to shame farmers as well as government policy officers who fail to implement more humane solutions.
The use of a familiar pet such as a cat evokes connotations of love and care. This sentiment is juxtaposed with one of shock and brutality as the “skinned” cat is equated to the sheep wallowing in their “excrement”. This highlights the exploitative attitude towards animals that is at the heart of the live-animal trade.
Ms Scott thereby seeks to shame farmers and as well as government policy officers who fail to implement more humane solutions.
Quote 2: As Ms Julie Smith reminds the audience, it is a “race to the bottom”, in countries like Somalia and Sudan, which have no welfare regulations. Appealing to a sense of decency, the author hopes that even the most sceptical members of the community will support the ban.
Quote 3: Likewise, Ms Scott’s also cites her own personal visit to the “meatworks in Turkey” as testimony to the brutality. The fact that she saw “sheep and cattle being shackled and hoisted by a rear leg into the air” and that sheep were “lying in their own excrement” seeks to soften the emotions of those who try to shut out the suffering.
Ms Scott compares the Australian and New Zealand models; this comparison substantiates her view that there are more humane solutions. This comparison also serves to sideline those officials who suggest that there are no economic solutions.
Call to action:
Ms Scott prevails upon the government to enforce laws that would protect animals.
Prevailing upon the government to enforce laws that would protect animals, Ms Scott hopes that the government will not continue to condone the “intolerable” “race to the bottom”.
See Text 27: Skinning the cat: and breakdown in argument
Exercises Return to Orange VCE Membership Program