Explorers or boys messing about? Either way, taxpayer gets the rescue bill Flashcards
Notes on the headline
Informal and with a sarcastic tone
Notes on first paragraph
Unconventional, doesn’t start with who/what/when/where + most important info but instead intends to prejudice the reader against the men. No names used which shows that the writer is not taking the men seriously and implies they are not professional
‘Farce’
Negative attitude, scathing
‘Nine-hour rescue’, ‘involved Royal Navy, RAF and British coastguards’
Used to evidence and emphasise how the rescue has wasted a lot of time for a lot of people (which is the focus of that paragraph)
‘Last night there was resentment’, ‘there was also confusion’
Passive sentences, increase credibility and imply universal effects
‘Resentment’
Strong word, aims to turn reader against the men
‘Tens of thousands of pounds’
Emphasises cost, ties in with headline and evidences bias against the men
‘Experts questioned’
Persuades reader, experts are credible + believable sources of information, also emphasises the level of the men’s irresponsibility and stupidity
’ “Trusty helicopter” ‘
Implies the opposite, mocks the men
’ “Boys messing about with a helicopter” ‘
Direct quotation, shows that she thinks they’re immature and intends to persuade the reader that their expedition wasn’t serious.
‘The drama began…’
Emphasises how it was unnecessary and further turns the reader against them.
‘Also known as Q’
Ironic and juvenile, in the film Q was clever, but the mention of it in the article intends to ridicule his stupidity
Notes on the newspaper it was published in
The Guardian, primary purpose is to inform but its secondary purpose is to persuade. It is also left wing so has an interest in attacking these men because they have cost the tax payer money as it is anti upper-middle class. This explains the bias in the article and attempts to prejudice the reader.
’ “He said they were both in the liferaft but were okay and could I call the emergency people?” ‘
Makes him look childish and dependent on his wife
‘Falmouth coastguard and passed on to… RAF Kinloss in Scotalnd’
Shows how they have burdened lots of organisations and have involved them without necessarily needing to
‘The Royal Navy’s ice patrol ship… was… surveying uncharted waters’
The men’s unnecessary issues have distracted the Navy from an important job in favour of one the writer believes shouldn’t’ve been needed
‘One Antarctic explorer told…’
Expert in the field, credible source
‘Property developer’
Implies more money than sense, hapless and gets himself in trouble anywhere
‘He is also a qualified mechanical engineer and pilot’
Makes article look less biased by presenting his successes, however, it makes the reader wonder why they have made that decision and implies that they are irresponsible
‘Claims’
Used to encourage scepticism
‘The wisdom… was question by, among others, Gunter Endres’
Bringing in more experts as an appeal to expertise, this one is named and so it more credible
‘The flying conditions had been “excellent”’
Fault with the men
‘…“they’ll probably have their bottoms kicked and be sent home the long way”
Informal direct speech, almost comical note to end the piece on. Agrees with the ‘boys messing about section of the headline’ and infantilises them. Selectively quoted to make them look worse
