Planet ARK and plastic bags.
Julie’s comments: Planet Ark
View: Julie asserts that plastic bags should be banned because they are destroying the environment and killing children and wildlife.
Evidence: Julie relies on real-life or anecdotal examples to prove that plastic bags are extremely harmful to animals. This evidence helps people understand the consequences of their actions and relate to the author’s concerns. The fact that they are dying “innocently” suggest that they are victims of our careless actions.
She also refers to an expert’s opinion, John Dee from Planet Ark, to state that this is a common incident. He is a reputable expert and is an environmental activist. He has knowledge about the environment and the wildlife and so his opinion adds credibility to Julie’s comments.
Tone: She adopts a critical tone and asks for urgent action.
Appeals: She appeals to duty of care and responsibility as well as moral values.
Purpose: She seeks to elicit the public’s sympathy for the animals and encourages us to show greater responsibility. She wants us, as shoppers, to recognise the consequences of our careless action, and to shame those who are reckless.
TRENT SCOTT, PG 56.
Evidence: Trent relies on comparative facts to show that retailers in Europe and Asia have introduced measures to reduce the use of plastic bags. He appeals to the reader’s common sense by suggesting that if people have to pay for plastic bags they will use less. He also uses statistics from a reputable source, Clean Up Australia, to shock and shame shoppers about the consequences of their wasteful habits.
Technique: rhetorical question: “Why are we so slow to act?” This question encourages people to think about the retailers’ lack of action and their indifference.
Technique: Attack: Trent discredits the Environment Minister. He implies that the Minister is short-sighted or narrow-minded. The fact that he seems to lack knowledge of the problem casts doubts on his reputation and credentials as a minister and makes it difficult for the public to trust him. This creates a distance between members of the public and those in the ministry.
Technique/ words: “pitter patter” approach: This alliterative phrase shows his lack of urgency and reluctance to act; “the real iceberg lurking beneath the surface”: the metaphor suggests that there is a huge problem concealed beneath the surface and is threatening to disrupt the environment.
Technique: Further rhetorical questions again draw attention to his lack of knowledge.
Supporting reason: Trent suggests that people need a reason or an incentive to care.
Appeal: hip-pocket appeal and common sense/ cause-and-effect reasoning: he reasons that people are more likely to change their behaviour if they have to pay extra.
The comparisons with Europe and Asia suggest that it is possible to change people’s behaviour through costs and refunds and that people need an incentive to act/care.
“Wrapped in Waste”: Ms Joanie Smith: Techniques:
Ms Smith attacks fishermen and swimmers because of their thoughtless actions. She shames such people who are causing unnecessary suffering.
The government spends $100,000 to clean up the sea: this is a hip-pocket appeal which makes people angry and frustrated at the waste of money.
The author refers to expert opinion to explain the suffering of the sea animals. This arouses the reader’s sympathy.
Moral appeal: The author encourages people to care and praises those who do the right thing, while those who are reckless are shamed.
From her own personal standpoint as a concerned community member, Ms Smith shares with her online audience her dismay at the fact that wildlife are being heartlessly killed. Accordingly, she encourages her audience to recognise the extent of the suffering and show care and consideration. Specifically, she discredits the fisherman and swimmers, whom she isolates with critical references to the heartlessness. Emotive and personal references to the fact that they are “recklessly” dumping rubbish, implies that they are heartless. Also the only need show a ‘tad more care” highlights the extent of their indifference.
Return to Summary page: now turn to exercise