First Draft of letter to Michael Gove

Here is a letter that I have written to Michael Gove about the educational reforms that he has put into place

Letter to Michael Gove (Education Secretary)

Style models

Coursework 1 style model on a short story: The Roman Candle By Donna Tartt

Coursework 2 style model on a letter: Letter to councillor, Mr Crawley

Notes for Style Model for Short Story

This is my notes on techniques used in my short story.

Notes on Style Model, The Roman Candle

Elements that are in my Short Story- The Returning Lights

Notes of analysis on my short story- The Returning Lights

This is notes of techniques and styles that I have used within my short story to enhance the piece.

My OLD letter on rubbish

Letter on rubbish and litter

This is a copy of a letter on rubbish that I have wrote. However, I have decided to write another letter on a different subject as I do not feel passionate enough about the subject and am in the process of writing another letter

Analytical essay on 3 persuasive texts

How is language used in texts to persuade readers?

By Naomi Willmott

In texts, language is used in different ways to persuade the reader in the subject that they are delivering. A number of different devices and structures are used to encourage the reader into believing the opinion and fact of what the writer believes and using these features enables the opinion to be perceived better.

In the speech, “Justice Will Be Done,” a transcript of President Bush’s speech to America after the 911 attacks in the World Trade Centre and Pentagon Bombings, the use of persuasive language is used to show the aftermath of the bombings and highlight what is going on for America. In the article, “Why my father loved Britain” by Ed Miliband, it responds to a previous article from the Daily Mail explaining how his Father had hated Britain and this responds with an article with persuasive techniques saying how his father loved Britain and his opinion on what they have said about his father. In the article, “God swapped for gobbledygook” by Victoria Coren, it expresses her own opinion about changing the Brownies Promise and taking God out of the Promise. It highlights her negative response to this using humour and language devices to encourage the reader into the opinion.   

Firstly, in the speech by President Bush, it uses pragmatics to add layers and making the sentence have a literal and implied meaning of what President George Bush is trying to say, “…would you please help me welcome his wife Lisa Beamer here tonight?” This is shown as being an interrogative as it is question although this literally an imperative asked in a kind way. This is effective as he is friendly using a command in questioning way rather than saying a command so that the audience are ordered to complete the demand. It means that is encouraging the audience in a more approachable way and so therefore mean that they are more likely to complete the action. This is used unlike the other two articles as it is addressing an audience so is written to be spoken aloud to someone rather than to be read alone and so a command has to be delivered in an appropriate polite way rather than a command in an article that be produced in that sort of way as it is not an expression that has to be completed.

Also, in the speech by President George Bush, it uses anaphora, which is the repetition of a single phrase at the beginning of a paragraph or sentence in a number of places once after another. Examples of this are “We have seen…,” “…our freedom…,” “We will come…” and “I will not.” This is effective as it empathises to the audience on what President Bush is trying to say. The repetition of the phrases highlights to the audience the importance especially with the phrase “…our freedom of religion, our freedom of speech, our freedom to vote…” and encourages the things that were good for America when this horrible event had occurred. This encourages the audience to also believe in what he is saying and remember the speech. Similarly, in the article by Ed Miliband it uses anaphora to describe him. The use of “When he…” empathises a different aspect to President George Bush’s speech. It is instead trying to encourage the reader how much emotion that his father had for Britain and empathise how much he did feel for it and did for Britain going to war and travelling to Britain to help him have a better life. Equally, the article by Victoria Coren uses anaphora within sentences and at the beginning of the sentences of “Every time…” to address her own life within an opinion she feels. This is in opposite to the speech and article to describe how often that you can be “true to yourself” to prove a point to what she saying. This links in some ways with the speech and article as they all are empathising upon the events and opinions that they feel and to make the audience/reader remember the important information that has been offered and encourage to believe in what is being said by the empathise of the word/phrase.

In the speech by President Bush, it uses pronouns which are personal nouns to describe the speech in the first person with use of them such as “We,” “You,” and “I.” This is effective as the pronouns such as we and you especially seen in the phrase “…you did more than sing. You acted…” mean that the audience feel directly addressed and so therefore feel involved in the speech. Use of you and we allows the audience to seem as though it is directed at them. The use of these pronouns persuade the audience into thinking that the speakers opinion is true as they make them feel involved in the situation and are addressed in the opinion and with this use feel as though they should believe in what they are saying. Likewise, the article by Victoria Coren uses pronouns but instead of addressing with “you” and “we”, Victoria Coren uses “I” to express her own opinion about the language changed. This is seen with phrases such as “I think…” which enables the reader to see the opinion of the writer and this does not matter on what the reader feels but is her own comment towards the subject of changing the Brownies Promise. This is effective towards the reader as it highlights the understanding that she has on her own comment on the article and encourages therefore to go towards the writers opinion due to the article being a one sided opinion. On the other hand, the article by Ed Miliband uses third person pronouns of “he” and “his” to tell the story about his father life and what he did and he uses first person to describe his own opinion on the other article and its views and suggest Ed’s opinion on the matter. This is effective for the audience as the articles allow to be told about what has brought on the reaction from Ed’s father’s life to have got the reaction from the Daily Mail but also the truth, in Ed’s opinion, of what he believes was his father’s life. Also, the first person is effective as it highlights to the reader his opinion on his father so that they can choose whether to believe in what has been said.

In the speech by President Bush, the use of triadic structure is used to list the three things that have relevance with each other “…stop it, eliminate it and destroy it where it grows.” This is effective for the reader as it has emphasis for the list and the number of positives and so persuades the audience due to the number of reasons that the speaker is correct. Similarly, in the article by Ed Miliband, it uses triadic structure “So my Dad loved Britain, he served Britain, and he taught both David and me to do the same.” This has meant that the reader is encouraged to feel that Ed knows what he is talking about and therefore persuades the reader into believing the opinion of Ed Miliband. Also, it gives it a sort of rhythm which enables the reader to remember what has been said. Differently, the article by Victoria Coren uses short sentences restrictedly and does not use the triadic structure like the other two pieces. It uses this one simple sentence to enhance her opinion on the subject. “It’s just shorter.” This enables a variance to the article and means that you can see the writer’s opinion within one line which means that it engages the reader into the opinion of the writer and a short sentence within the complicated text allows the reader to remember this phrase and has more of an emphasis than the rest of the article. It also uses a interrogative sentence of “Which words and phrases would make your top five list of the worst linguistic horrors in modern English?” This is effective as it questions the reader allowing them to relate to the article in the first sentence, which means that the writer has sided with them already.

In the speech by President Bush, it uses alliteration of “trained in the tactics of terror” which is the repeating of the same consonant within a phrase. This is effective as enables the audience to remember the negatives that have been said to avoid the situation and to make the audience remember the phrase. This phrase is also emotive for the audience and enables the audience to feel empathetic for what the people in Afghanistan have to go through and persuade the audience into helping what is going on to deal with the evil in the world. Similarly, emotive language is used within the article by Victoria Coren but in a different way. With the use of the list of words “…resentment, impatience, temper, boredom or sadness…” to highlight the change of the Brownies Promise can be taken in a number of different ways and not just the way that they believe. The emotive language, in this situation, enables the reader to be persuaded that these emotions are concepts that can be taken within a number of situations and persuade the reader that she knows what she is talking about. In contrast, emotive language is not seen in the article by Ed Miliband as this article although it is trying to show his own opinion does not need the emotion similar to the other two texts. This article instead is to the point with what he believes in. This is effective as it enables the reader to understand straight away what Ed is feeling and although it is not produced in an emotive way with abstract nouns, you can still understand strongly what he believes that the previous article written is incorrect and moreover the article therefore shows it to not be opinion but fact and in this style makes the reader believe the article more.

In the speech by President Bush, the uses of rhetorical questions are used to question the reader as these are questions that cannot be answered. “And you know what?” This makes the audience question themselves, which is effective, as it encourages the reader into agreeing with the argument and persuades them in a subtle way that the argument is correct. The use of the word “you” in the sentence also directly addresses the audience as though they feel that it is being delivered directly at them. This is effective as it allows them to believe that they are involved in the speech rather than being on the outside of the action; it enables them to be gripped with the speech. The same is technique of rhetorical questions is used within the article by Victoria Coren “Or maybe you like beer?” This use of the question is effective as it allows the reader to be gripped with the subject that they are reading because they are questioned with their own life within an article that is opinionated with the writer’s own views but still is able to grip the reader.

In contrast to the other two texts, the speech by President Bush is the only text that uses Diacope. This is where it has the repetition of a word within a phrase that has one word between it. “Every nation in every region…” This is effective as it word “every” to the audience and is important and reiterates the amount of people that it would have affected and enables the world to feel included in the event that has occurred. As well as this, the speech uses oxymora within the ending of the speech “Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty.” This is effective as it shows how opposites attract within language. It is effective to the reader as it enables them to be centralised and get all aspects of the phrase.

To conclude, in the speech by President Bush, it uses many language techniques to grip the audience’s attention and for them to believe what he is saying is true and that these events will happen. This is similarly used in the article by Ed Miliband with language devices used in a few places to persuade the reader that he knows that his father is not the way that the Press have shown him in the previous article. The article, in contrast to the speech, highlights in a factual way and does not address the reader with “you” like the article but describes as though it is written in a way that shows that it is true and not a comment. On the other hand, the article written by Victoria Coren shows her own opinion using the first person to suggest how it is her comment on the subject and using personal language techniques such as rhetorical questions and paragraphs to persuade the reader that her opinion is the correct one.

My short story final draft

The Returning Lights

This is my short story on an old woman who has no one.

Essay on Engagement rings and Halloween Costumes

In both texts that I have been looking at they use techniques to validate the purpose of the text and how to influence the reader into the article. Halloween Costumes- what not to wear is an article written by Rhiannon Cosslett, which uses many purposes to the reader of persuading them to get certain costumes, entertaining the reader with personal anecdotes from the writer but mostly uses advising to aid the reader about what is best to wear and what is not. In A man’s perspective on why engagement rings are a joke is an article by Tauriq Moosa that uses persuasion to get his point across that he does not agree with the concept of engagement rings to show love.

In Halloween costumes- what not to wear, it uses many techniques to make the reader understand the purpose of the text. Firstly, neologism also known as coinage is used which is a word made up by the writer. The “Slutoween” is effectively used to entertain the reader with a new unique word. This allows the reader to be engaged and interpret the word in their own way and to be amused by the article with how original it is. “Slutoween” is used within the strapline and within the heading of a paragraph, which allows the reader to be entertained from the start of the piece with the topic and address the main opinion of the writer. It highlights also persuasion into the opinion used with this coinage word which allows the reader to understand what the reader believes as Halloween being an evening revolved around women dressing “like a total slut” which is stated as her opinion in the rest of the text.

The use of a rhetorical question “So what to wear?” is used to highlight another purpose, to advice. This is then dealt with amongst the rest of the article and shows the writer’s use of the article to express and aid them with their selection of Halloween costume. This use of the word “so” allows the reader to feel as if they are being helped and advised with the choice and selection of the costume rather than being told what they should wear although the technique of a rhetorical question is used usually to persuade the reader and in this it is used to encourage the reader to read on to find out about what they should wear.

Colloquial language is used in the article “That is so 90s, babes” to entertain the reader although it could be said that this language used is not appropriate for the audience of the article as it is an article from The Guardian and in my opinion colloquial language such as “babes” is language that is unusual for this audience with using a model, “Heidi Klum” which this reader will not know who they are but this counteracted with the mentioning of “blackface” and “Trayvon Martin” who this audience will know about. Additionally, colloquial language is used under the third subheading with the use of an imperative sentence split up with punctuation, “Put. It. Down.” This enables the reader to be spoken to and is very informal for the tone of the newspaper and sounds chatty to the reader. The use of the imperative sentence is also persuasive and allows an order to the reader.

Imperative sentences are also used for every subheading. For example; “Know how soon is too soon” and “Don’t disrespect other people’s cultures.” This is where the verb is the first word in the sentence and is shown as a command. The use of the imperative sentence allows an order to the reader and is persuasive to the reader as it is commanding to them an instruction which means that they have to do it. Having this as the subheading, means that they are instructed and told what will be in the paragraph not only engaging them into the article but allowing them to be persuaded into the readers opinion on the idea. The purpose of imperatives is to command the reader so this is also advising them into the idea of what they are saying. “Dress your baby up, they’re too young to be embarrassed so who cares?” shows the advice that the writer is giving to the reader with the use of the word “dress” to encourage the reader to do the order straight away.

The use of direct address is used to engage the reader. “Can’t you just put down that native American headdress?” highlighting the separation between reader and writer. This shows the writer’s negative feelings towards this and is separating herself from the reader because she does not want to be associated with it. This is effectively done with the use of a rhetorical question to persuade the reader that they should listen to her and be on the same side as her. This shows the persuasion in the text to believe the writers views. Separation of the writer from the reader is also used with the pronoun “I’ll” with her personal opinions on the view with herself going as a “false widow spider.” The use of the personal pronoun is effective to get the personal opinion and deliverance of the writer with her interesting take on a Halloween costume. It allows the reader to see her advice and be able to look suitable in her opinion. The personal pronoun means that it separates her to believing that she is right to the reader.

The use of an anecdote effectively gets the point across with “But a friend” with the story rather than personal experience. Anecdotes can be used for advice and persuasion which the writer achieved in both purposes. The use of persuasion with the anecdote was effective to achieve how the writer does not want this to happen again but also with advising in aiding the reader not to do this terrible thing her friend has learnt from.

In contrast, I believe that A man’s perspective on why engagements are a joke has just one purpose of persuading the reader into the opinion of the writer.

Contrasting to the other article, in most of this article the writer uses pronouns such as “We” to feel like the reader is involved in the article and the writer and the reader are on equal playing fields rather than segregated as seen in the other article. This persuades the reader that the writer is correct as he has used collective pronouns to involve them in his opinion. Additionally, the use of “We” makes it feel more formal to the other article that used “you”. Being in the third person throughout the article makes the formality and the tone and allows the reader to believe more in what the writer is saying which seems quite factual rather than the colloquial style like the Halloween article was in.

Triadic structure is used to emphasise his point. “They’re expensive, useless and, worse, are insulting to notions of actual love.” This persuades the reader with three main points listed to highlight how correct the writer is with them listed it lets the reader feel like there are more things wrong with it than there actually is. It also has an emphasis of the things and enables the reader to remember them effectively.

The use of controversial ideas to society’s love is effectively seen with “nauseating crimson heart-shaped horror show we call Valentine‘s Day,” highlighting the strong opinion presented by the writer. The use of strong adjectives of “nauseating” is effective for the reader to understand the horrible thoughts that commercial love is for him and to relay this onto the reader with the powerful adjective that has been chosen to be used for emotive effect. Strong adjectives enable the reader to be convinced by the argument given and highlight the purpose of the text, persuasion.

Unlike the other article, statistics that are fact are used to back up the idea of the writer of engagement rings being a waste of money. “12% of US spend more than $8000 for an engagement ring” This use of fact persuades the reader to show that it is a waste of money as they will factually find out with percentages the true volume of the cost that some people spend. The truth speaks volumes to readers and will be effective to them and persuade them into the writers point of view.

In contrast to the other article, this one uses a counter argument to emphasise the persuasion to back up the writers own opinion with the topic sentence, “Many people will say that engagement rings are symbolic of love and devotion” followed by the reason why it isn’t. This is effective as it is encourages the reader to side with the writer as the counter argument makes them think and as this argument is put down the reader is convinced by the argument of the writer. The use of “will” is effective to show that the writer is not convinced by the argument and is not his own views but the views of other people. It shows also his definite separation from the other point of view, which persuades the reader to his side.

Similar to the other article, this article uses a rhetorical statement, “why can’t a beautiful home be a symbol? Why can’t long-term investments be a symbol...?” This is effective as it encourages the reader to think about whether they believe in the points being raised and encourage them to believe in what is being said. The repetition of “why” is effective for the reader to believe in the writers own opinion on the views of engagement rings.

Also, this article at the end creates similarity to the other article; he also separates himself from the reader on the very last line with “If you need a ring to prove your love, it’s not your lack of a ring that’s the problem.” This is effective as it shows the writer believes in the point he is saying, separating himself to show that he believes love is more than the amount you spend on a ring and persuading the reader his opinion.

Overall, both pieces use techniques that link to the purposes that they are delivering to the audience. Halloween costumes- what not to wear uses persuasion, advice and entertainment to deliver the article in comparison to A man’s perspective on why engagement rings are a joke which is a formal persuasive piece which is encouraging the reader to the writer’s perceptions.

Style Models

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/oct/14/madeleine-mccann-abductors-police

This opinion article is very effective article with some of the language it uses. It is about how people should not blame the parents of Madeline McCann for her going missing but should think of finding her and the person that took her. I like, especially, the use of a simple adjective amongst the complicated language that is used of "little girl" and this basic language enables you to have more sympathy for how young she is and the only simple adjective used means that it is strong to the opinion article.

http://www.howstruct.com/10850/a-guide-on-learning-how-to-sing#ixzz2iHYzIjrO

This guide instructs you on how to learn and develop your singing. It is an effective piece as it uses a number of imperative sentences so that it is telling the reader, a beginner at singing, what they need to do to be able to develop from the basic singing in the shower. The use of the verb in front helps the reader to know what to do and be commanded in a simple way.

Marked By PC and Kristen Cast

In the book, Marked By PC and Kristen Cast, I have looked at the first chapter of the story, which is written for a teenage audience. This is used and shown with the use of language that is used. In some places there is adventurous language but in other places there is colloquial language such as "whatnot" and "frickin'" so that it attracts a teenage audience perspective.

Looking for first research on Style Models

I am researching possible style models for my work.....

Letter- Style Model
Editorial article- Style Model
Speech- Style Model

Here are my notes for my first week! They are about the course, English Language AS
Notes week commencing Monday 2nd September

Hello! Welcome! I am Naomi Willmott and I am studying English Language AS at St Brendans Sixth Form College. Here I will upload my weekly notes for my lessons. The first post today contains my work for the lesson that I needed to complete!:) Post comments on your opinion
Dread the deal of school