English Edexcel iGCSE Text analysis "Explorers or boys messing about? Either way tax payer gets rescue bill"

Technique: Rhetorical question,
language choice
Effect on reader: A rhetorical question is used to draw in and influence the reader to the writer's point of view.
Using 'boys' makes the explorers sound like children
Using 'messing' creates the impression that the activity is not serious or taken seriously. These two word choices create a negative impression of the explorers. They show the writers opinion whilst pretending to give the reader a choice.

Quote "Explorers or boys messing about?"
Technique
Effect on reader

Technique: word choice
Effect on reader: These three words all have links to theatre and acting. This creates the impression with the reader that what the explorers are doing isn't real, it is a play. And thus that they are 'playing' at being explorers. It creates a subtle negative connotation for the reader which undermines the credibility of the explorers.

Quote: "farce" "tragedy" "drama"
Technique
Effect on reader

Technique: repetition of hard 'pl' sound
Effect on reader: use of 'plunged' and 'plucked' creates a hard, explosive feel to the description of the crash. This echoes what the crash would have been like and creates a vivid picture in the readers mind.

Quote: "their helicopter plunged" "the men were plucked"
Technique
Effect on reader

Technique: word or verb choice
Effect on reader: use of the word plucked makes them sound tiny and insignificant. Something which can be plucked is usually small. This reinforces in the readers mind the idea of the men as helpless children. It also subtly ridicules the men as insignificant.

Quote: "the men were plucked for the icy water"
Technique
Effect on reader

Technique: vague phrasing
Effect on reader:the writer suggests, without being explicit, that some sources are criticising the mens. This communicates that their actions are disapproved of to the reader without the writer providing solid fact.

Quote:"in some quarters"
Technique
Effect on reader

Technique: word choice
Effect on reader: Use of the word expert to suggest that the men are not professional or experts. As an expert wouldn't have taken the small helicopter. This again reinforces the negative impression of the men to the reader.

Quote: "experts question the wisdom"
Technique
Effect on reader

Technique: allusion to Q in Bond film
comedy/humour
Effect on reader: The writer notes Mr Smith's nickname in oder to make fun of it. it alludes to the bond films where Q is the character who supplies the clever gadgets. In this case, their clever gadgets have failed. The sarcastic tone again communicates the impression that these men really do not know what they are doing reinforcing the impression for the reader that they are incompetent.

Quote: "also known as Q"
Technique
Effect on reader

Technique: Allusion to HMS Endurance 1914 ship that Sir Ernest Shackelton use to goto the south pole. He lost the ship but saved all the men through great leadership.
Effect on reader: This diminishes and belittles the explorers as they are not as brave as the great captain. Also reinforces the idea that they have to be rescued by someone who knows what they are doing.

Quote:" HMS Endurance"
Technique
Effect on reader

Technique: Biblical imagery
Effect on reader: Mr Brook's wife compares her husband's survival with a miracle. Suggesting that only something supernatural could have saved them. This suggest that the expedition was very dangerous and the inexperienced men were putting themselves in grave danger.

Quote: "Nothing short of a miracle"
Technique
Effect on reader

Technique: adjective, irony
Effect on reader: Use of adjective 'experienced' is ironic, because the writer is pointing out that they should have known better than to do something this dangerous.

Quote: "Experienced adventurers"
Technique
Effect on reader

Technique: hyperbole
Effect on reader: The writer lists a number of adventures which the men have had, which are exaggerated to make fun of them This again creates the impression that they are incompetent and race headfirst into danger with no thought.

Quote: "Survived a charge by a silverback gorilla"
Technique
Effect on reader

Technique: metaphor
Effect on reader: the image compares the men to school boys who have been punished. This diminishes the mens and makes them seem comical.

Quote:"they'll probably have their bottoms kicked and be sent home the long way"
Technique
Effect on reader

Technique: The quote marks denote whilst the men have deemed the helicopter trustworthy but that the writer has shown that it is not. This further undermines the credibility of the men and their experience as explorers.
Effect on reader

Quote:" 'trusty helicopter' "
Technique
Effect on reader

Technique: word choice
Effect on reader: emotive word with connotations that Miss Vesty did know, even though she said she didn't. It implies that his wife lied for him. This further undermines the credibility of the men.

Quote:"Mrs Vestey claimed"
Technique
Effect on reader

Social responsibility
nature of courage
consequences of reckless behaviour

What is the theme in "Explorers or boys messing about? Either way tax payer gets rescue bill"?

Like many newspaper articles many short paragraphs.
First paragraph makes reference to previous unsuccessful expedicion
5W's are quickly provided
some background information provided
towards the end of the article quotations form their spokesperson and unimpressed experts are included.

What is the structure of Explorers or boys messing about? Either way tax payer gets rescue bill"?

Simple and straightforward but carefully chosen to convey the writers opinion.
Title using the word 'boys' and 'messing about' are dismissive and set the tone for the piece
Other words are chosen to show disapproval e.g. farce, doubt
Words like threatened and tragedy show the serious implications of the the mens actions

What are the language features of "Explorers or boys messing about? Either way tax payer gets rescue bill"?