Voices in speech and writing

Charlie Brooker – VAI

Informal, ironic, self-deprecating; critiques overcommunication; satirical tone

Charlie Brooker – PAF

Persuade/entertain; general public; opinion article in The Guardian

Charlie Brooker – Context

Brooker is a British satirist writing in 2009 about media saturation

Ian Birrell – VAI

Passionate, critical, formal; exposes social inequality; campaigning tone

Ian Birrell – PAF

Inform/argue; liberal newspaper readers; opinion column

Ian Birrell – Context

Written in 2013; Birrell is a political commentator and disability rights advocate

Oscar Wilde – VAI

Emotional, literary, introspective; reflects on love and suffering

Oscar Wilde – PAF

Express/regret; originally a letter to Lord Alfred Douglas; autobiographical letter

Oscar Wilde – Context

Written in 1897 while imprisoned; Wilde reflects on his relationship and downfall

Maya Angelou – VAI

Warm, honest, reflective; explores mother-daughter relationship

Maya Angelou – PAF

Share/reflect; general readers; autobiography

Maya Angelou – Context

Angelou was a civil rights activist and poet; this comes from her final autobiography

Alan Bennett – VAI

Humorous, personal, anecdotal; dry wit

Alan Bennett – PAF

Entertain/inform; public readership; diary entry

Alan Bennett – Context

British playwright and author, chronicling 2013; commentary on everyday life

WWI Radio Operator – VAI

Urgent, factual, sincere; youthful tone with personal perspective

WWI Radio Operator – PAF

Inform/report; potentially private or military record; diary/memoir

WWI Radio Operator – Context

Eyewitness testimony of WWI experience; written by a young soldier

George Scott Blog – VAI

Conversational, enthusiastic, self-aware; personal cycling narrative

George Scott Blog – PAF

Entertain/reflect; blog readers; personal blog

George Scott Blog – Context

Modern digital writing; Scott reflects on physical and emotional challenges of a bike ride

Past Masters Podcast – VAI

Conversational, informative, intrigued; engaging storytelling

Past Masters Podcast – PAF

Inform/entertain; podcast listeners; scripted podcast

Past Masters Podcast – Context

Explores British history through archived records; episode about UFO files

Princess Diana Interview – VAI

Candid, emotional, vulnerable; personal insight into royal life

Princess Diana Interview – PAF

Reveal/expose; television audience; televised interview

Princess Diana Interview – Context

1995 BBC interview with Martin Bashir; major media event

Jay Leno/Obama Interview – VAI

Relaxed, humorous, diplomatic; friendly interaction

Jay Leno/Obama Interview – PAF

Entertain/inform; late-night TV audience; televised interview transcript

Jay Leno/Obama Interview – Context

Obama on The Tonight Show in 2009; mix of politics and pop culture

The King’s Speech – VAI

Determined, formal, anxious; overcoming personal struggle

The King’s Speech – PAF

Inspire/entertain; film audience; historical screenplay

The King’s Speech – Context

2010 film script based on King George VI’s speech therapy journey

When I Lived in Peru – VAI

Anecdotal, humorous, reflective; explores cultural contrast

When I Lived in Peru – PAF

Entertain; radio audience; radio drama script

When I Lived in Peru – Context

Semi-autobiographical play by Andrew Viner; explores British expat experience

Chris Rainier Report – VAI

Shocked, factual, descriptive; immediate reactions

Chris Rainier Report – PAF

Inform/describe; Nat Geo readers; eyewitness account

Chris Rainier Report – Context

2004 tsunami experience; Rainier is a photojournalist

Jessica Read – VAI

Reflective, detailed, amazed; mixes fear with awe

Jessica Read – PAF

Share experience; readers of The Guardian's 'Experience'; first-person report

Jessica Read – Context

Scuba diver recounts surviving a 2004 earthquake in Indonesia

Flemmich Webb Review – VAI

Analytical, formal, critical; literary focus

Flemmich Webb Review – PAF

Review/critique; newspaper readers; book review

Flemmich Webb Review – Context

Review of Boxer Handsome by Anna Whitwham for a broadsheet

Martin Hoyle Review – VAI

Evaluative, detailed, formal; analytical of TV drama

Martin Hoyle Review – PAF

Review; newspaper readers; TV review

Martin Hoyle Review – Context

Published in Financial Times; analysis of The Bridge, a Nordic noir TV series

JFK Inaugural Speech – VAI

Inspiring, formal, patriotic; appeals to unity and service

JFK Inaugural Speech – PAF

Inspire/unite; American citizens/global audience; political speech

JFK Inaugural Speech – Context

Delivered in 1961 at the height of the Cold War; calls for civic responsibility

Colonel Tim Collins Speech – VAI

Motivational, respectful, patriotic; military tone

Colonel Tim Collins Speech – PAF

Motivate/reassure; British soldiers; pre-battle speech

Colonel Tim Collins Speech – Context

2003 speech before Iraq invasion; widely praised for tone and content

D.H. Lawrence – VAI

Descriptive, thoughtful, philosophical; vivid imagery

D.H. Lawrence – PAF

Inform/reflect; travel readers; travelogue extract

D.H. Lawrence – Context

Travel writing from early 20th century; Lawrence explores Sardinia’s landscape and culture

Paul Theroux – VAI

Witty, observant, ironic; critiques and admires what he sees

Paul Theroux – PAF

Reflect/inform; travel book readers; travelogue extract

Paul Theroux – Context

1988 book chronicling Theroux’s train journey across China; critical and descriptive travel writing