English summer task

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_eUC1nFZPs

https://edge.org/conversation/how-does-our-language-shape-the-way-we-think

Kanye West interview

[Zane Lowe:]
But talk about really putting yourself on the line with that. That was so early on for you to be stepping in a room with that many players and that kind of – to give yourself that objective. What are your thoughts when you think back about Abbey Road, where…it’s just nuts.
[Kanye West:]
I thought it was good. I thought it was what I was supposed to do at that time. If I see something, if I see an opportunity, I’m gonna go for it. You know what I’m saying – We’re all gonna die one day.
[Zane Lowe:]
Yeah, that’s true.
[Kanye West:]
So live like that. Live like you could die tomorrow. Go for it. Those steps have been the, you know, the platforms that allowed me to make it this far.
[Zane Lowe:]
And you have, man, and you’re here. Six original albums of your own, a Throne record, various records with G.O.O.D. Music to talk about, man. But seriously, man, Yeezus. Bravo, dude. I mean, that is one of the most creative records of any genre I’ve heard in a very, very long time, and you know, just in terms of your output, your most exciting-sounding record, I think.

[Kanye West:]
Oh, thank you very much. Yeah, I feel I was able to start making exactly what was in my mind again, not having to speak with the textures of the time. Cause, you know, Cruel Summer is definitely Kanye West, and there’s something weird and kind of off about “Mercy,” like when it has the high-pitched, that type of sound. It sounds like art still a little bit, even thought it obviously was a radio smash.

Kim Kardashian

-have you met her?

K: I have, I have, I’ve [interrupts]

-you have met her?

K: I have just recently met her

-and what was that like

K: and it was amazing and she looked beautiful

K: Really beautiful

-what was she wearing?

-tell me about, can you tell me or am [interrupts]

K: she was dressed up, beautiful makeup, beautiful hair, very very very beautiful and very comfortable

-          did it feel natural to you did it feel like

K: it felt really natural, yes, but everyone [pause] just because I’m ok, I’m comfortable hanging out with her, you know, I urge every family member going through this, not only my family, other families, cos at the point of really sharing all of this is to really help other people going through the same thing

-do you feel that you have the room to be uncomfortable or not ok with it

K: you know I think [pause] and you’ll really see this everyone in the family has such a different emotion, we [pause] all get back to [pause] acceptance and everyone supports him but it’s ok to have every emotion, there is this sense of death that people around [pause] feel, and he understands that but he’s not going anywhere, and you know, sometimes, Kendall and Kylie get emotional over that and feel like, you know, their dads gone but they understand they’ve gained [pause] someone else that is just as, the same person although a little bit different and everyone is just a new chapter.

Brown and Levison's politeness/face theory

Theory (1987)

Brown and Levison based the face theory on principles of our desire to be liked and not imposed upon.

FACE is defined as the public self image every adult portrays, which is intended for interaction. These include the positive and negative face.

       ☺ - 

Positive face

       ☻  -

Negative face

☠ -Threatening face act (FTA)

Positive face: The desire to be liked
Negative face: The desire to have freedom
Face threatening act: This face deliberately threatens the face needs of others. 

The face theories all relate to the politeness theory as to have a polite, positive conversation the positive face act needs to be used. Where as for a negative conversation, the negative face or FTA will be used.  

 Politeness super strategies :
Bald on record
Positive politeness
Negative politeness
Off record
Withhold (from FTA)

Grice's Maxims

Grice's Maxims: 

1. The maxim of quantity
2. The maxim of quality
3. The maxim of relevance
4. The maxim of manner  

1. The maxim of quantity:

When someone tries to be as informative and give as much information as is needed and no more.

2. The maxim of quality:

Where someone is truthful and doesn't over exaggerate or doesn't give any false information and no evidence to support what they're saying.

3. The maxim of relevance:

Where someone is being relevant to the conversation without going off topic, saying things that are applicable to the discussion.

4. The maxim of manner:

When someone tries to be as clear and brief as they can. They also avoid being ambiguous and try to be straight to the point without obscurity. 

Article commentry

My article about Fox Farms is intended for the "comment is free" discussion section on The Guardian News internet page. The purpose is to inform and argue with an informative and opinionated theme throughout. As it is an argumentative article the audience need to feel involved and questioned about their opinions yet, persuaded to have the same views as the article due to its bias presentation. I have achieved this through my use of personal pronouns for example “would you want to be skinned alive?”

The article is a discussion of fox farming which involves skinning foxes alive for their fur, despite it being highly unethical, and is a practice outlawed in many countries. My target audience is older teenagers and adults who think strongly about the subject and want to challenge it. It is also aimed at those who are not necessarily aware of fox farms and want to find out about what it is and how they can stop it. I have managed to appeal to such a wide audience by using very accessible language, (“Thousands of innocent foxes get clubbed or skinned alive every”) and a limited amount of subject specific lexis.

 It appeals to my target audience by using information along with quotes and photos to support each fact and opinion. I chose to write about this to gain the public's understanding on animal cruelty as I feel strongly that it needs to be stopped. I used language features such as hyperbole’s and direct address as the article is an opinion piece to persuade the audience to support the protest. This is shown when the article says "This will continue until enough people join and support the campaign to stop this cruelty against animals. (http://www.caft.org.uk/support.html)."

Style model

The graphology used in my article is 3 photos all with relevance to fox farming. The first photo is placed at the top of the page under the headline to stand out and catch the reader’s attention and gives them a visual aid. The second and third photos are of protesters against fox farming to support my statements and quotes and empathise to the reader that fox farming is a serious issue. By using violent images it persuades the reader to support the campaign which makes the article reach its purpose. The headline "killing innocent animals for their fur is unethical and needs to be stopped" is written in block capitals which makes the reader curious to continue reading and find out why it is unethical and in which way this process is committed.

The lexical choice of "violently" when describing how the foxes are killed it strengthens the imagery of the conditions the foxes had to go through to shock my target audience and persuade them to join to stop this act. The word "innocent" is often repeated to enforce the fact that these animals haven't done anything wrong to be treated this way. It also added to the sympathy felt by the audience as they will connect with the underlying message that these animals have no reason to go through these conditions.

Monologue commentry

"From Heaven" is a monologue intended to entertain with a reflective and emotional theme aimed at teenagers and adults who are experienced reader's and are well educated. By using complex sentences it enables my piece to flow alike how the characters thoughts are flowing and draw readers in on a personal level to reflect and feel sympathy. "I couldn't do it anymore, okay?!" is an example of the use of language features such as direct address which includes the reader whilst allowing them to understand the negative tone intended for this character who is presented as being depressed. This unpredictable change of tone keeps the stream of conciousness consistant which makes the readers increase the speed of reading which creates involvement in the piece, establishing suspense throughout.

The title "From Heaven" grips the readers attention as it creates enigma for the reader to find out what it means to be "From Heaven." The lexical choice of "heaven" instantly gives the connotation of death and the afterlife. This makes the reader feel sympathy and interest to continue reading to find out in which context the title is written about. This creates various questions for my target audience as they are well educated and in their teens/adulthood meaning they have a complex way of thinking allowing them to follow the flow of the monologue.

"From Heaven" begins with stage directions which show clearly what the character is doing at the time she is speaking. For example "[A tear falls down the girls face. The girl lifts her hands to wipe it away as if shes refusing her need to cry.]" This stage direction indicates the emotional state the character is in. This gives the audience depth in the mood the girl is in at that time. This gives the reader understanding and an insight on the body language/location of the character which allows them to feel involved which will make them want to continue reading. It also indicates the tone and expression for the character as the monologue is based on her thoughts and opinions only allowing my target audience to understand and sympathize with her situation.

An effective technique I used from my style model was stage directions which is one of the main conventions of a monologue. Originally one of the stage directions used was "Looks to window and takes a loud deep breath." I realized that the stage direction was too simplistic and didn't give enough detail to what a terrible state the character was in at that time. I then added more detail onto the stage directions and the setting and body language became more evident.

A use of provoking language is used within my monologue alike my style model which empathizes the character evoking sympathy through using a bitter tone. "You pity me, don't you?" is effective as the reader can sense the anger of the character, yet understand that she is in despair but is trying to be too strong to say so. This creates the impression I intended for this character that she feels guilty of what has happened but is trying to convince herself that what she did was right more than anyone else. Through the character saying "I love my sister" allows the audience to grasp how the girl feels towards her sister. Although she is saying a supposedly positive statement the audience are also aware that on an unconscious level the girl is feeling remorse for everything that's happened whether it was through her fault or not.

KILLING INNOCENT ANIMALS FOR THEIR FUR IS UNETHICAL AND NEEDS TO BE STOPPED.                  
Fox farms in China kill and sell dead animals to wear as a fashion product in the winter as profit.

(Above) Beaten to death: Foxes being beaten to death to become coats or hats for the public to wear this winter as part of fashion statement.

Thousands of innocent foxes get clubbed or skinned alive every day for only one unreasonable and materialistic purpose: fashion. Humans are the only cause for this cruel act towards animals for no benefit of their own, only to look somewhat ‘fashionable.’ These oblivious beings walk about the streets wearing the fur of innocent animals and have the audacity to call this ‘fashion.’ Little do they know the truth behind the fur coats they are boasting about. These poor animals are being hung by their feet whilst being skinned alive.

Before being violently killed, these poor foxes in their thousands await in small cages alongside other foxes for their turn to be converted into a fashion piece that humans can wear. These guiltless creatures are hardly able to move in these prisons before they are ended by vicious workers on the fox farms. They're either clubbed to death, skinned alive or if the worker has limited time: their necks crushed by the workers boots. The loud noise of screeching can be heard throughout the villages and no mercy is taken upon these innocent foxes.

Workers at the fox farms state that they don't have enough profit to provide a humane death for the foxes. A Fox farm owner stated "we don't have the money or time to kill the animals more humanly, we do this to make a profit and the only way to do that is for the process to be quick and cheap." Due to this, the foxes continue to be forced to be still whilst having their skin ripped off. During autumn months thousands of these animals including raccoon's, blue foxes and red foxes, are all compacted together until winter comes when they are dragged out along the mud with eyes full of terror and desperation to escape to become a warm winter coat just in time for the public's demand. They're beaten in front of the foxes cages, as the other foxes see this they panic and scream and cry to be saved from the torture.

The local's say they disagree with the fox farms and get disturbed from the noises coming from their neighbours murdering animals viciously as it upsets and distresses their children. A local who lives opposite the fox farms said "Whilst playing with my children outside I hear howls screeches and cries for help from the farm. The sounds are sometimes heard in the night waking everyone up, it's so unpleasant."

After animals are skinned and useless to the workers, they toss them into a pile of other skinless animals which are still alive left to suffer with the pain of being ripped to pieces. They put the fur with blood dripping everywhere onto a pole for the purpose of the public's appearance. I’m no fashion expert but wearing dead animals just doesn't seem that appealing to me. I just don’t quite grasp how wearing a little fox that once ran around minding its business to suddenly be murdered as an item of clothing is attractive. The public should not have to choice to invest in such disgusting and cruel garments which promote animal cruelty.

Although wearing animal fur is looked down upon from many people, tradition is the main reason for this act to continue. Those in favor argue that fur is tradition and is a symbol that humans dominate the Earth. Lauren, 67 said "I own a lovely fox fur coat. Its the same as what my grandmother used to wear and I've never felt cold when wearing it. We should be proud we're the most dominant species, we worked hard for centuries to produce and profit from anything we can such as fur coats and hats and that's why animal fur is so pleasing to wear. There was no problem with genuine fur back 100 years ago, its a sign of wealth and being proud of what you are."

“Would you want to be skinned alive?” “If you stop buying they’ll stop dying” “Go fur-free!” (Above) Protesters photographed fighting for the lives of poor animals to be spared for good.

Many protesters against animal cruelty and using animal’s fur as clothes or hats wait outside of fur selling shops to speak out about the wrongs of wearing these innocent creatures.

Amy Smith, a protester from the anti-fur campaign spoke of her opinions on the fox farming industry: “I think it’s vile, killing an animal to wear for others to look at, what’s so great about wearing dead animals anyway? It’s cruel and inhumane and needs to be stopped. The argument that is often used against us is that animal fur can keep you warm during winter, but we have faux fur coats and hats which look the same as real fur products, just without all the torture.”

The poor mammals continue to be tortured and beaten to become a winter coat, through no fault of their own. This will continue until enough people join and support the campaign to stop this act of cruelty against animals. (http://www.caft.org.uk/support.html)

Although Fox farming is a brutal act against foxes, these are not the only animals who suffer these consequences to become clothing for the public. Other animals such as beavers, chinchillas, dogs, minks, rabbits, racoons and more are forced to go through the same process. All of the pain and distress these animals go through to become a nice item of clothing to look at is completely unnecessary and needs to be stopped now.

Please go to the link above and support this campaign against animal cruelty. No animal deserves to suffer the pain of having skin ripped off their back for profits for companies that use this horrific process every day. 

Monologue

From Heaven

[A young girl in her teens is lead on her bed. She has her hair tied up in a messy bun and has mascara smudged down her face. She's staring deep into the ceiling, sniffling as if she is about to cry. She sits up and puts her head in her hands and starts to cry loudly for a few minutes. She pulls back and stares into the camera, looking distraught.]

It doesn't feel that long ago. 3 years is too long. I remember her so clearly, as if we were only together yesterday. [Pause] It didn't shock me... My sister’s death that is... it was inevitable, the day I refused a liver transplant to keep her alive for another month. I didn't refuse because I wanted her to die, I refused because it wasn't fair to continue living my life as nothing more than a science experiment. I was born for one purpose. That's all I was- A science experiment.

I guess it is really that long ago, 3 whole years since my sister took her last breath. 3 years since her eyes opened for the last time. My sister, my best friend, the only person I could turn to when everyone else turned away. I loved her so much, I swear I did.

[Looks to window and takes a loud deep breath. Looks at the camera and does a quiet laugh to herself, with a smirk on her face.]

I bet you feel sorry for me. I bet I have every ounce of your sympathy; you pity me, don't you? I've lost my sister so I must be completely devastated. But tell me, why would I feel any sort of grieving when I see her every day? Every morning, evening and night. [Pause] Her presence haunts me; her breath burns the back of my neck and her eyes dagger into me with every move I take. I'm constantly drowning in guilt because I didn't know what felt worse: continuing to be ripped open and having inside of me removed more and more every day, or living freely but without my sister. The doctors knew she'd loose the battle to stay alive soon enough, my job was to give my parents false hope that she could survive.

[A tear falls down the girls face. The girl lifts her hands to wipe it away as if shes refusing her need to cry.]

People think it was my fault she died, it was everywhere in the papers. "Young girl refuses operation to keep her ill sister alive." What a load of shit! Operation?! They make it sound like I only had to go through a week of pain when in reality it was years. Those writers had no idea! I had 77 operations since I was 3 months old! Most parents bring their children into the world saying they hope they'll be a doctor or a teacher or lawyer. My parents wanted me to be my Chloe's spare body parts. As long as my heart was healthy and my blood type matched hers, my parents couldn't care less what I turned out to be.

After 13 years being an object rather than a human being became too much. All of the operations, all of the hospital appointments, the words that were constantly repeated. "Do you love your sister, Katie?”, "why won't you help your sister? She needs you." The only time I could make my mother proud was when I returned conscious after a successful transplant which would determine whether my sister would last another month. Getting an A* in my maths test or completing a marathon which I trained so hard for after an operation were never enough. Surely every little girl deserves this during their childhood? Don't they? All I wanted is for my mother to love me for who I was, not what science is inside of my body. She loved my sister unconditionally, but loved me on a condition- I'd risk my life every day to save hers.

[The girl leans forward, crying. She stands up and slowly walks over to a chair next to a desk. She sits down and fiddles with a pen until she drops it. The girl turns to look at the camera but her eyes are staring at the floor.]

I'm not alive to give up everything inside of me. I wasn't born into a loveless and cold-hearted world where the only thing I'm useful for is internal.

I lived in a horror movie, but one that didn't have an end. One that I will be living in for the rest of my life. I didn't do any wrong... I never did. I let them use me as their science experiment, didn't I? A cruel experiment, I'd be unsure if I could make it another day myself. I was weak. I had no energy to do what I wanted to do. I wasn't aloud any emotions, sympathy or love from anyone. I was made to feel useless if I didn't help her, as if that was my only purpose in life.

I remember when I was 5; Chloe and I would dress up as princesses and run around the house singing at the top of our lungs. Wires were attached to her wrist but it didn't stop us from being happy and enjoying every bit of each other’s company. You might think I'm crazy because I swear I can still hear her singing in my dreams. I also hear the screaming,,, Loud screaming that I couldn't escape from. Almost as if the noise was locked in my head replaying over and over. The screaming came from Chloe when her body rejected the medication. [Girl wipes tear from her eye] I was too young to know. I wish I still was. I can remember what my life consisted of 3 years ago more than I can right now. All the arguments between my parents about what they were going to do after every threatening meeting at the hospital where they'd be told Chloe had few days to live unless she got a transplant.

Chloe was like the glue for us. She was the only reason we'd eat at the table as a family, the only reason we'd go on holiday or trips to beach or zoo. She held us together so that the rest of us didn't completely smash into pieces... Pieces that could never be glued back together without her presence.

I still replay the memory of all the panics we went through like a movie in my head, except I can't seem to find the pause or stop button anywhere. All the paramedics rushing in, sirens screeching into my ears making me feel like they were bleeding. They pushed past me shouting at one another "quicker! We need to get her in." [Pause] In where exactly? I was completely oblivious to what was happening. My sister, the other half of me, was being dragged around like a rag doll. She was crying in desperation to be able to breathe normally again. I could almost hear her body telling her each time that it had had enough.

The thoughts torture me and I think that's why it's on repeat: I deserve this torture don't I? [Raises voice] Well at least that's what my mum says! Whatever I did for her was never enough! I couldn't do it anymore, why couldn't anyone understand or imagine any of the pain I was in? A young girl shouldn't have to go through such mental and psychological pain, should they?!







[The girl cries violently, then lifts her head and wipes her tears with her sleeve.]

Now I'm living in a foster home. I live with an old couple who can't have children. I think that's the reason they decided to take me on. My parents didn't force me into care; I signed myself up for it. You would’ve done the same; anyone would’ve if they went through what I did. It felt like the right thing to do and I'm sure Chloe would've agreed. It was the only hope to make something out of myself and bring the half of me that died with Chloe back to life. [Deep breath] They're really nice about the whole thing, and by “their” I mean my new parents. I guess that’s the reason I'm more comfortable there. We eat at the table together and go out on trips like I did with my family. Only with them it's a lot more quiet and serious. There's never really any laughing or joking, but there is a sense of belonging which I never felt before. I like to think one day I'll have my own family, and love my children equally and the most I possibly can… unconditionally, too. They’ll never have to go through what I did.

[Takes a deep breath, her voice begins to shake as if she is about to cry but she holds it in]

You know, Chloe used to say how we were going to live together when we grew up, she always looked after me in ways no one could. We were each other’s best friend. We had the same taste in music and the same fashion style, the only thing that could separate us was the hospital rooms. She loved me for who I was, unlike my parents. Although we never spoke of the operations or transplants I knew she appreciated it. I always wanted to talk about it with her to ask how she felt about it all. She never really had an option; no one asked Chloe what she wanted to do. Mum didn't allow it; apparently it wasn't for her little girl to worry about.

[Girl stands up and tears slowly fall down her face. She turns to a table and picks up a frame and smiles. She turns the frame so the audience can see it, it's a photo of herself and Chloe]

Chloe's just a memory to me now... To all of us. Just a photo in a frame of a time were never going to live again. [pause] It's so depressing. In my opinion the only way you can truly move on from something like this is to forget. How do I forget? How do I forget any of this? Because I can sure tell you therapy won't help. I don't think anything will. Chloe's a lot like my shadow now: Follows me everywhere I go without being able to talk or touch her again. Ever. Torture. Complete torture.