Exercise 36: Support Animal Lives (p.48)
- (Topic sentence/ View) Ms King condemns the animal trade as well as the Indonesian Government’s attempt to purchase land in the Northern Territory. (Tone) She emphatically states that “this is outrageous”.
- Interrogative sentence: it requires readers to give an answer about a form of action. (However, it could be a rhetorical question if used as a statement of incredulity.)
- What is the appeal: Appeal to moral values: Ms King presents Animals at Risk as an organisation that has moral values. The purpose of the appeal is to encourage members of the public to feel proud if they support the organisation.
- How are the animals depicted and why? The animals are presented as victims because they suffer a cruel death in abattoirs overseas – beyond our control. Ms King appeals to our emotions and arouses sympathy for the animals’ plight.
- Who should feel guilty and why? The directors of the Livestock Trade Ltd should feel guilty because the organisation is responsible for making money out of the animals’ suffering. According to Ms King, the directors appear to be obsessed with making a profit at the expense of the animals.
- Who does the “we” refer to and what is its purpose: “We” is inclusive language and is used repetitively to refer to members of the public — to Australians — who are collectively responsible for the fate of the animals. She implies that if the public does not take a stance against the trade, then “we” are just as guilty as those who despatch them overseas. In this case, the “we” is also used to shame Australians. (The use of “like parcels around the world”: figurative language (simile) to depict the fact that the animals are being treated shamefully like commodities.)
- What is the final appeal?: The author appeals to patriotism – “being Australian” – which she believes includes “fighting for the underdog”. This is also a moral appeal as the writer suggests that we should proudly fight for injustice and for those who lack a voice and power.
- What is the tone of the final sentence?: forthright, assertive, adamant (command)
For Extension Activities: See Exercise 36, Support Animal Lives, p. 48