Explorers or boys messing about? - Steven Morris Flashcards
Loaded Language / Emotive Language
“Called in the Royal Navy, the RAF and British coastguards.”
“Farce”
“Their adventure had cost the taxpayer tens of thousands of pounds.”
These word choices are emotionally charged, suggesting recklessness, incompetence, and wastefulness.
It influences the reader to view the men as irresponsible.
Diminishing / Infantilizing Language
“Boys messing about with a helicopter”
“Experts questioned the wisdom of the attempt”
The phrase “boys” undermines their credibility, making them seem immature.
Contrasts with their ages (42 and 40), which emphasizes the sarcasm.
Sarcasm / Irony
“Despite their experience, it is not the first time they’ve hit the headlines.”
“Experts said they were ‘lucky to be alive.’”
These lines hint at mockery, subtly criticizing them without outright saying it.
Use of Expert Opinions
“Rescue services reacted with irritation.”
“One Antarctic explorer told Mr Brooks it was ‘a serious mistake.’”
Including authoritative voices gives credibility to the writer’s critical tone and suggests that real professionals disapprove of the men’s actions.
Statistics / Figures
“£100,000 rescue operation”
“3,000 miles into their journey”
These give a factual edge to the criticism, making the consequences of the men’s recklessness feel more real and costly.
Humour and Mocking Tone
“The drama began around 1 a.m. GMT…”
“Their wives called them ‘experienced adventurers.’”
There’s a subtle mocking tone, especially by contrasting how the men see themselves vs. how they appear to the public and rescue services.
Opening with the Rescue Drama
“Rescue services yesterday plucked a pair of British explorers from the Antarctic seas…”
Effect: Hooks the reader with an action-packed beginning — it’s dramatic, but presented almost like the opening of a comedy of errors.
The quick dive into the event builds tension, but the way it’s worded undercuts the seriousness.
Use of Paragraphing to Control Pace
Short, punchy paragraphs are used, especially at the beginning:
“The men were eventually picked up by a Chilean naval ship, the Agulhas.”
Effect: Keeps the pace fast and the tone light, making the incident feel more like a series of missteps than a heroic expedition.
Also mimics news-style reporting, adding a false sense of objectivity.
Shifting Focus from Facts to Criticism
The article shifts from basic information about the rescue to quotes from experts and past failures of the men.
“Despite their experience, it is not the first time they have hit the headlines…”
Effect: This structural move leads the reader from neutrality to judgment, building a case against the men’s credibility
Use of Contrast and Juxtaposition
Throughout the article, there’s a structural pattern of contrasting what the men claim vs. how others see them.
e.g. “Their wives yesterday claimed they were experienced adventurers…”
vs.
“Experts questioned the wisdom of the attempt.”
Effect: Reinforces the idea that the men are out of touch or delusional, making the article more persuasive.
Ends with Humour and Dismissal
“The pair have also been criticised for… a previous expedition involving a homemade flying machine.”
Effect: Ending on this mocking note leaves a lasting impression that these men are foolish, not serious explorers
