Language analysis Essay This is in regards to the Editor of the letter concerning last weeks fatal shark attack

near Esperance in Western Australia, published on the 18/04/2007. Sam Forsythe, the writer contends that sharks should be hunted down and killed in order to reduce frequent attacks. Forsythe uses a disturbed tone to argue that sharks are attacking more unexpectedly and frequently. Forsythe uses a range of persuasive techniques to support her contention in an attempt to influence the reader in agreeing with her point of view. Throughout the opening paragraph, the writer uses a compassionate and sympathetic tone to position the reader to recognize the significance of the issue. By initially constructing her argument using emotive language, my heart goes out to the family of Neil Timms, in particular to his younger brother James, who was watching helplessly from the shore as the beast attacked without warning, the writer is able to appeal to the readers emotions by positioning them to support her point of view. Forsythes intended effect to make the issue appear to the reader as serious and important furthermore accentuates the concept of the significance of the issue. The writers argument of man-eater sharks in the future endangering our way of life serves as an attempt to persuade the reader to agree with her main argument. This allows the reader to understand how if the issue at hand is left alone the consequences may be severe and dangerous. Forsythe compliments her approach by undergoing a shift in tone to one that is more informative and concerned in order to persuade the reader to believe that sharks threaten the ideological Australian lifestyle. By emphasising the idea that the attacks on humans have become more frequent, the writer uses statistics this is the seventh fatality in four yearsan alarming statistic. The use of statistics is used to further highlight the notion of how there has been a significant change in numbers of recent shark attacks. The writer is able to appeal to the reader by arranging them to feel their reasons for discontent. Although Forsythe has not targeted a specific audience, it appeals to both beach and non-beach goers, with the interest of keeping Australias culture of sand and surf alive. The combined effect that this has on the reader is to ultimately make them believe that not killing maneater sharks will jeopardise the Australian society that has been built for generations around the sea. Throughout the article, the writer intends to push the reader towards their point of view using a sarcastic tone to state her rhetorical question, Are we going to call a halt to a lifestyle we all love and sabotage a booming industry because of a few fierce fish? The use of a rhetorical question emphasises that we should not surrender our way of life just for a bunch of fish, to furthermore stress her argument Forsythe states that culling a few of these predators will not endanger the species, but not culling them could endanger a whole way of life, the writer intends this statement to express the concept that there is more harm in not killing these man-eater sharks than killing them. The writer appeals to our selfvalue by stating that our way of life is more significant than the lives of a few sharks. Similarly, the writers aim is to convince the reader in agreeing with their contention. Forsythes overall approach was to justify that man -eater sharks should be tracked down and killed. In an attempt to persuade the reader to share the same point of view, the writer

has used emotive language, statements, statistics and a rhetorical question to support her contention by appealing to the emotions and self-value of the reader. The article portrays the concept that sharks are dangerous and should be killed.