Commentary on Controversial Issues Blog Work
The 'controversial issue' I addressed the ongoing debate as to whether the United Kingdom should remain a member state of the European Union.
The voice of my first character, Joe, is for the most part, a slight parody of my own views on the matter. In order to create the 'blog' of this character, I simply wrote as I normally would, while incorporating some slightly atypical features into the writing.
To provide some more validity to the character's blog post, I included some statistics sourced from the articles cited in the bibliography on the original post. An example statistic was the statement: "we'll lose an estimated £400bn we make in a year". This serves to make the blog post more convincing, as people tend to be trusting of statistics.
Another technique used in this character's blog was a rhetorical question to close the blog post. The question: "Is this the kind of future you want for our country?" provides the reader with something to think about as the post ends. It makes the post more memorable and consolidates the point made over the course of the post.
The intended audience of this character's blog is like-minded individuals of a similar age and background. This is enforced through the relatively personal language used in the blog post, suggesting that he is probably followed by many people that he knows in real life.
It is probable that anyone who comes across this post will have done so either by following the blog, or by coming across it via an internet search on the topic. The character addresses his existing audience in the introduction of the post, using a tone which would suggest that he is familiar and comfortable with his user-base. An example of this is how he doesn't open with any particular welcome, instead choosing to dive directly into the issue at hand: "Recently, a lot of media attention is being paid..."
The purpose of the character's post is, as with most blog posts, to inspire discussion on the topic. This is clear based on the inclusion of opinion. For example: "While it isn't essential to me, our military standing would also be effected". This opens the content of the post to general discussion and debate in the comments among it's readers.
The voice of my second character, Nathan, is drawn from exaggerated stereotypes of the right-wing upper class. Whilst being influenced clearly by prejudices towards the 'left' and using some inflammatory comments, I attempted to retain a sense of upper-class sensibility.
In order to better shape this character's blog post, I included a lot more emotive language. This will interest or entice the readers further, as well as inspiring them to express their own opinions and feelings on the matter. An example of this is: "Besides, it's not like there aren't countries who haven't prospered and thrived outside of the EU's 'protective' embrace. Just look at Norway & Switzerland. They're doing pretty well, right?"
Another technique used is the final statement: "So, readers, I trust I have convinced you to sway the vote and save us from the dictators of the EU, and to make Britain truly great again!"
This statement was used to appeal and resonate with the readers of this blog. who are more likely than not to agree with the views being expressed by the character. This statement was designed to further discussion among readers, and to inspire further discussion on the matter.
To provide some more validity to the character's blog post, I included some statistics sourced from the articles cited in the bibliography on the original post. An example statistic was the statement: "we'll lose an estimated £400bn we make in a year". This serves to make the blog post more convincing, as people tend to be trusting of statistics.
Another technique used in this character's blog was a rhetorical question to close the blog post. The question: "Is this the kind of future you want for our country?" provides the reader with something to think about as the post ends. It makes the post more memorable and consolidates the point made over the course of the post.
The intended audience of this character's blog is like-minded individuals of a similar age and background. This is enforced through the relatively personal language used in the blog post, suggesting that he is probably followed by many people that he knows in real life.
It is probable that anyone who comes across this post will have done so either by following the blog, or by coming across it via an internet search on the topic. The character addresses his existing audience in the introduction of the post, using a tone which would suggest that he is familiar and comfortable with his user-base. An example of this is how he doesn't open with any particular welcome, instead choosing to dive directly into the issue at hand: "Recently, a lot of media attention is being paid..."
The purpose of the character's post is, as with most blog posts, to inspire discussion on the topic. This is clear based on the inclusion of opinion. For example: "While it isn't essential to me, our military standing would also be effected". This opens the content of the post to general discussion and debate in the comments among it's readers.
The voice of my second character, Nathan, is drawn from exaggerated stereotypes of the right-wing upper class. Whilst being influenced clearly by prejudices towards the 'left' and using some inflammatory comments, I attempted to retain a sense of upper-class sensibility.
In order to better shape this character's blog post, I included a lot more emotive language. This will interest or entice the readers further, as well as inspiring them to express their own opinions and feelings on the matter. An example of this is: "Besides, it's not like there aren't countries who haven't prospered and thrived outside of the EU's 'protective' embrace. Just look at Norway & Switzerland. They're doing pretty well, right?"
Another technique used is the final statement: "So, readers, I trust I have convinced you to sway the vote and save us from the dictators of the EU, and to make Britain truly great again!"
This statement was used to appeal and resonate with the readers of this blog. who are more likely than not to agree with the views being expressed by the character. This statement was designed to further discussion among readers, and to inspire further discussion on the matter.
As with the other character's post,
Good work so far - you can be more explicit about audiences and purposes and you can delve in deeper using a PEE structure, explaining exactly how techniques in quotes are meant to work for specific audiences and purposes. Highly conceptual, which is good.
ReplyDelete