Article Commentary

“How does the article inform and entertain its reader?”

The Article informs and entertains its audience cleverly through the use of the article’s techniques. Firstly, the headline is in large and bold, catching the attention of its reader as it is the first thing they will read. Furthermore the headline gives a sense of shock as it says “Police Officer Death”. The abstract noun, “death” is very effective in capturing the attention of the reader as it is associated with murder, violence and loss which are taboo topics that doesn’t occur in the reader’s life therefore making them intrigued. Also Death is pre-modified with “Police officer” which further adds the shock as Police officers protect and serve the law, but if they’re not safe to enforce it then the reader feels that they’re unsafe too, giving a sense of unease and concern.

There are many nouns such as background of the offender, the make of the car stolen to inform the reader. These nouns portray a more clear insight towards what happened to the victim and thus maintaining the entertainment of the reader as they can have a clear picture of what may have happened to the victim.

Another technique the article uses are pictures, these pictures provoke many emotions to the reader as they either display the arrogance and sense of aggression of the offender or the innocence and care of the officer, which creates some sort of hero and villain relationship into the readers mind. The first picture perfectly portrays the stereotypical teenage hooligan the offender seems to be as he is shown to be posing absurdly. The picture also creates a sense of anger and dislike to the offender as he seems to be an unpleasant person to be around with, furthermore the picture also portrays a rebellious and immature young man who seems to deserve the consequences of his recklessness. On the other hand, the second picture portrays the innocence of the police officer as it shows him with his wife and children. Furthermore, the use of the embedded clause “Pc Phillips, killing the father of two” is effective as it provokes sympathy and compassion towards the Officer as his wife has lost her, and also his children will no longer have a father figure in their lives. This technique is very important in maintaining the interest of the reader as it creates the sense of a hero and villain story of which justice will prevail – the offender eventually going to jail.

The article also shows some caution of the language used, in case of any offence provoked through the fatality of what happened to the victim. The article uses the euphemism “before the fatal crash” to inform the harsh reality of what happened to the officer gently rather than the straight to the point ‘murdered’.

Article - http://news.sky.com/story/1565904/police-officer-death-man-appears-in-court

Bristol Article - Nicholas Lizard inspired

There is only one city that has beautiful views of which the imagination craves, wonderful sun rays caressing and complementing your skin to a desirable tan. The luxurious scenes of which you wake up onto a sun bed in the middle of a tropical beach holding a martini with your loved ones. Sounds like everyone’s dream right? I mean come on who wouldn’t want to go to this dream city?
Is it Dubai? Madrid? Rome? Or even Los Angeles? 
Well...
 For certain, that city isn’t Bristol. Let’s face it, it’s pretty much impossible anyways. But on the other hand Bristol do have one or a few tricks up its sleeve. For example there is the slightly hopeless chance of beautiful blue skies in winter, and maybe a few in the summer where you can finally whip out your tank tops and sandals and catch a nice tan, but you shouldn’t have your hopes too high. Bristol is much like the many disappointing gifts from past Christmases sprinkled with a few amazing gifts (they are amazing because you actually get used to the disappointments you will fall in love with something you’ve wanted).
One of those disappointments is the harsh weather. Yes, we’ve all had many of those bad memories. But I am specifically talking about the hope of wishing the weather in the future (tomorrow) could be sparring and that it shouldn’t rain whilst you are waiting for the bus or walking to school. But deep inside you know it will rain, but it is always good to have some hope. On the other hand, Hope is absolutely useless if you ever find yourself waiting for the 36 First bus, which eventually  you turn up to school 2 hours late meaning that you were buggered at the start… so if I was you, walk.
All the negatives behind, Bristol does have those amazing organised/unorganized events which does really entertain you greatly. For example you might expect there to be one preacher who is totally convinced that aliens are taking over the world (there isn’t really a guy specifically like this but it gives you the sense of entertaining random people you meet at the city center), or Bristol’s annual Balloon Fiesta which amazes crowds from Bristol or tourist with its spectacular performances.
To be honest Bristol is what you’d expect. But that’s why you love the city.

History Boys Notes -

History Boys notes - 

Characters - Students

Timms -
Joker of the pack.
Teases every one.
An important figure of the whole friendship group as his humour is what keeps everything together. A typical role in every teenage social group.

Lockwood -
The typical 'geek' of the group.
Movie fanatic and uses quotes in real life.

Rudge -
The rugby player.
Simple and true to himself.
Doesn't like the teaching style of Irwin as he finds it difficult.

Akthar -
He is muslim.
Joins in with the boys' teasing of Irwin.

Poisner -
He seems to be the outsider of the group because of his unfortunate position of being homosexual and Jewish.
In love with Dakin.
Enjoys performing musicals.

Dakin -
He is cocky 'attractive' guy (the stud)who is dating the assistant of the head teacher (fiona) which he seems to uses this power for his own interests.
He teases Irwin.

Scripps -
Is a strong believer of christianity.
An interested writer and records events in his notebook.
A ressemblance of the Author (Bennet).

Headteacher - 
A headmaster who is obsessed with the schools reputation and success which he is very concerened about his students getting into oxford. He does everything neccissary to achieve this; even at an expense of a teacher (Hector).
Foul mouthed.
Knowledge of arts is limited.

Mrs Lintott -
She is the only female staff in the whole school.
She is often overlooked which irritates her in which she uses sarcasm to express this.
She doesn't let her emotions interfer with her teaching style which causes it to be organised.
She is incredibly intellectual.

Irwin -
He is the young history teacher who bends the rules of education as he views it to be a game. He teaches the students to to be inauthentic to secure a place into Oxford or Cambridge.
He was an unsuccessful candidate of Oxford.
He is homosexual but keeps it secretly.
His teaching style of orginality is different from the other teachers
He ignores the students' teasing.

Hector -
He is accused of being a 'paedophile'.
He is popular with the students because of his spontaneous lessons of general studies in which he grants the students to do whatever they like. Which the usually perform musicals and theatre arts throughout the lesson.
Hector has a fascination with applying philosophical quotes to his actions.
He teaches the students the way of learning education through own intrest rather than obligation. Which Hector's and Irwin's teaching styles clash.
He often punishes Timms by hitting him on the head.
He is also seen as a utility character as his use of being a teacher expired as his secret of being a paedophile is exposed.