Expository Texts Real Gorgeous by Kaz Cook
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Features and rhetorical devices of non fiction text encourage responses from the reader, how do they do this ?
We are often bullied into doing things against our will, this could also be said of expository texts which aim to inform, instruct and explain but importantly to persuade. They use shock value to force us to look at our values, attitudes and ideologies. When devices such as statistics, personal touch, persona, language and case studies are used the responses from the reader will have been deliberated by the author, Who uses these features to illicit the desired response. Looking at articles such as Real Gorgeous, The other country crisis and Columbine it is obvious to see the many features and devices that have been carefully positioned to encourage responses in the reader.
Almost all statistics do not consider the varying factors contributing to the study. When reading a text containing statistics the reader feels they are attaining the hard facts, this however could not be further from the truth as Rod Quin points out with the example of the text Manhood written by Steve Biddulph. Biddulp states “One in seven boys will experience sexual assault by an adult or older child before the age of eighteen.” Reading this the audience will feel outraged or sympathetic towards men, Quin however asks us to consider the “rest of the “facts” that “one in a hundred girls will experience sexual assault by an adult or older child before they reach eighteen” thats five times the rate of men. While the statistics are convincing it is also the source they come from that can encourage a response from reader. They will feel the “fact” is more credible if it comes from a well known source. The Other Country Crisis by Stephen Scourfeild states that “According to the Bureau of statistics, Australia has once of the highest rates of youth suicide” Once again the reader is not seeing all of the facts, yet the source from which the statistic come from is credible and well known. With this in mind the readers response will still be swayed because we are taught to trust authority. The author has triumphed in encouraging the desired response.
It is always more pleasant and enjoyable to read something that appears to be personal or sympathetic. Real Gorgeous by Kaz Cooke is a perfect example of manipulative language. The text encourages the reader to feel comfortable with themselves that they are fine “the way they are” . Kaz cooke often says “we”, “we need the facts that will make us relax, .we want to find out how to stop seeing our bodies and the enemies” this implies to the reader that she sympathises, she too has the problems that the everyday reader does. The reader will become more engaged because the person writing “understands” their troubles. Kaz Cooke uses lines that almost every woman is sure to have said at least once in their lives “look at this, Im too fat” “No youre not, I am. Look at this! Feel this! The reader recognises these lines as their own encouraging further engagement because Kaz must definitely be one of them. Kaz Cooke makes suggestions, the kind a close friend would make “perhaps if you show this book to the members of your family they will realise the damage the “joking” or judgement may have.” The language her text embodies encourages the reader to feel good about themselves and others. The language is like chocolate; releasing endorphins to make the reader feel better about their body image and general direction of life.
If other people are having the same experiences or problems surely ours are credible as well? Case studies and quotes encourage the reader the empathise more with the text and identify the issues in the text with their own, which inturn makes the reader feel more positively about the text. ” …my boyfriend was attracted to me because of my size. He loves huge buttocks and breasts and the confident way in which I walk…I hope youre as happy as I am.” (from Real Gorgeous). Quotes like these play on the readers emotional side . Humiliation and Revenge by Peter Wilkinson tells the story of the two teenage boys who planned and carried out the Columbine High School shootings. The article digs deeply into the lives of the two boys painting them as two average American kids sick of the taunts and the feelings of being outcasted by peers. This scares the readers, it leads them to question the people they know, to question the way they treat each other and to question todays society as a whole. Robert is also used as a case study in The Other Country Crisis which tells the story of a gay teen growing up in the country. Robert is painted as someone that could easily have been the readers brother, son or best friend.
As mentioned before the source of a statistic can contribute to its credibility. The source could be part of an authority for example and organization text or expert on a certain matter. When a reader does not know a lot about an issue or event they will believe someone who has more confidence in the matter or is said to be esteemed in their knowledge of the issue. For example in The Other Country Crisis the views of Graham Brown, health promotion officer for the here for life youth sexuality project are used constantly through the second half of the article. “if I didnt know that Robert was talking about the 1960s and 70s Id assume that it was happening two days ago”. A quote like this will make the reader acknowledge that the problem is still occurring in todays society “…Browns own study with gays and lesbians in WA just published, reveals reasons for suicide attempts…” the mentioning of Browns study will make the reader feel that Browns views must be correct as he knows enough about the matter to publish studys on it. This will further convince the reader that the story is credible and evoke a trusting response.
The manner in which a person, object, issue or event is represented can change greatly depending on who is writing the text. The representation of something can encourage or discourage the way the reader will think. At Sea with the Americas Cup written by (American) P.J.ORourke represents Australia in a negative way. “nobody else in Western Australia owns a tuxedo either…….we spent the evening itching and squirming and scratching ourselves like